Collagraphs are textured printing plates, often made up of recycled materials such as string, wood, fabric, layers of cardboard and wire. By layering up all of these materials you are making a relief. Think about the composition of your work, think about it as a 2D piece but also consider the 3D aspect of it, do you want section to be more raised than the other? What effect will different materials have?
Once you have done this you will need to varnish your work using Shellac. You need to apply 4/5 layers of shellac, leaving it for a few hours to dry in between coats. Once you have done this you are ready to ink up your collagraph. We use Intaglio inks which you rub over the surface of your plate, making sure you get in into all the little cracks and grooves. You then remove any excess ink using scrim. This ensures you have an even application of ink across the surface.
Preparing your paper. Thicker paper works best. Fabriano is the king of papers but is expensive so practice with cartridge paper first. Soak your paper in a tray/sink first. Don't leave it so long that it disintegrates just enough that the paper is damp.
Using the printing press place your collagraph on the printing bed and then lay your damped piece of paper over the top of the plate. Position the blankets over the paper and plate and then turn the handle on the printing press. The paper will be forced into all the layers you have created and you will have a textured print at the end of it!
See some examples below of the types of materials you can use.
See some examples below of the types of materials you can use.
