Collagraph Printing

Making the base

Collagraphed printing includes gluing textured materials to a cardboard base, then adding ink to print final images. For this workshop we used Intaglio printing rather than Relief printing. When creating the plate, the height variation should be minimal so that the print works better.

The equipment used could include: Board, PVA, Glue, Moulding Paste , Carborundum, Sand, Glue Gun , Textured materials ,Textured wallpaper, Card/Paper Shellac


Printing
Before printing, the plates need to be sealed with varnish.To create the prints of the textured boards, ink needs to be added. First cover the working area with newspaper then using a toothbrush, add caligo relief ink over the cardboard base and make sure to get full coverage. Then using scrim to remove a chosen amount, depending on how dark the section to be printed needs to be. The thicker the layers, the darker the print will be.

Once the chosen amount of ink is applied, it needs to be printed using the press. Using a damp piece of watercolour paper and lay it over the cardboard base, then put it through the press. Multiple prints will be needed to find the best outcome.

Health and Safety:
- Wear gloves and an apron whilst using the inks
- Be cautious when using the press
- Clean up work space when finished

Artists work:

Ariel View Print Of Exeter / Lynn Bailey

Hedgerow / Lynn Bailey

Laurie Rudling

Somerset Levels / Sue Lowe

Kilve Beach / Sue Lowe