Prints Collagraph

Collagraph

What is it

A Collagraph print is a collage printmaking technique which is a form of Intaglio printing. It is also printed in the same way as etching. However, it can also includes the basic principle of relief printing and can be printed either as an intaglio or relief.The name of this method refers to a collage board where the materials can be fit together on a flat base or plate to form a relief block with various surface level and textures.

Collagraph plates are created by sticking and gluing materials like textured paper of fabric onto the plate and then coating it with varnish, shellac or an acrylic medium after. Because it will protect the materials.
The plates can be made either by wood or strong cardboard.
The materials which you apply onto the plate will determine the tone and strengths of the ink-plus it will also give you a variation of textures.
Materials which are "absorbent" might have to be inked up and printed a couple of times before the full impression can come through. 

Advice

The collage should not be very thick. The materials should not contain any sharp edges as this might ruin both the paper and the press.

Step by Step

• make sure you have made your collagraph. You should work on a strong cardboard plate, apply PVA glue and lay down the materials. 
• Allow it to dry and then put 2/3 layers of shellac
• ink up the plate by rubbing small amounts of ink using scrim. Make sure you work the ink into the collagraph in a circular motion. Then buff with tissue paper to take off any excess ink. 
• Lay the collagraph on the printing bed face up. Take a damp piece of watercolour paper and lay it flat over the collagarph and cover with the felt blankets. Roll the collagraph through the press
• Carefully lift up the blankets and remove the finished print

To understand how to do the collagraph plates with more visual sight  instead of texts directing you on how, I uploaded some images, guarding you.

step one

step two

step three

step four

• Blotting Paper
• Caligo safe-wash relief inks

• Tissue paper and newsprint

• Scrim

• Toothbrushes

• Albion printing press and roller

• Take care when using the printing press
• Keep works area clean and tidy
• wear gloves and an apron (if required)
• Keep the work room ventilated

At the bottom is a link which you have to copy and paste. This will take you straight to the experiments of collagraph samples

http://www.smilebox.com/playBlog/4e4445794e6a67774f44493d0d0a&blogview=true

All the collagraph in the link above where all inspiration from Babara Rae.