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Question about background color:...

Originally Posted by citydzn

question:
what color is the flag prior to the stripes and stars.
are their red stripes on white background or
white stripes on what background
same as the stars, white stars on blue or
white background to form stars with blue background.

thanks for the reply
confused

Flags are usually made one of two ways: embroidery or screen printing. When embroidered, red stripes and white stripes are sewn together, the stars are sewn onto the blue field and the blue part is sewn to the stripes. There is no background color, it's all just stripes. If there were a background piece of fabric, they'd have to use more fabric to put stripes on both sides.

When flags are screen printed, a white piece of fabric is used. Much like making a T-shirt, the pattern is printed onto the fabric with ink. The flag is dried, hemmed (so the fabric does not unravel) and a sleeve is sewn on so you can hang your flag.

How do you know if you've gotten an embroidered flag or a screen printed flag? Look for stitching lines between the stripes. Also, the stars on an embroidered flag are made out of thread, so the surface of the flag is bumpy when you run your hand over it. It the flag is perfectly flat and there are no stitching lines other than the hem, you've got a printed flag.

I hope you're feeling less confused!

Sarah

That's a very interesting question. However, some flags are stitched together and so, there is no printing on any solid background. But when you do see flags that are printed and not stitched, it is apparently printed on a white background. If it were reversed, then you would see a heavy finish of the white stripes and stars with a dots of color peeking through the white. White is a basic color for items requiring a background. It's the simplest color to cover. It is also difficult to cover a bold color with white.

Also, the website, EDSITEment - Lesson Plan, gives students an assignment to make a flag on paper. For simplicity (geared towards very young children), they start with a blank sheet of white paper and add red stripes along w/ the blue corner and stars. Let me know if that isn't a solid enough answer.