Water
Soluble Prints for printing without a press
Developed by Hilary Russell of Independence, Oregon
Posted by <bemason@concentric.net>
Barbara Mason - 4440
SW 198th - Aloha, OR 97007 • 503-591-8912
Well, I typed the whole thing
over, I needed it in my computer so here it is. This works pretty slick, I
have used it mostly for kids and teachers in elementary and secondary schools
as it is so portable, but it would work just as well for an artist. You will
be amazed at how well it releases. I bought a gallon of this glue about 3
years ago and am just now using it up. I ordered 5 gallons, so will sell it
by the cup as a cup will last a long time. I spoke to the company this AM
and they had no objections to me putting their phone number out on the internet.
This is a vegetable based archival glue and you can barely see it when printed,
just like gum arabic. Happy printing!!!!!
Supply List
DO
NOT USE: ACRYLIC PAINT OR GRAPHIC CHEMICAL BLOCK PRINTING INK
Mix goop, store in an air tight jar or container
Step
1. Sand the plate in a circular motion with the fine side of the sanding
sponge or fine sandpaper and a block. You are roughing up the shiny plastic
so it will have some tooth to hold the goop or modeling paste.
Step
2. Compose your design on the plate using different types of tape and/or
stickers. Stickers work well for very young children as there is no cutting
or tearing of tape involved. Try not to layer the tape more than three layers
high. You can also use a thin layer of modeling paste and draw into it. This
can give you some interesting effects. Allow the modeling paste to dry thoroughly,
probably overnight unless it is a hot day and you can dry it outside.
Step
3. Drop a small blob of "goop" onto the plate, about a nickels worth for
an 11x14 inch plate. Roll evenly over the entire plate with a 3" brayer. If
your plate is rough, use a small brush, totally covering the plate as evenly
as possible. Work quickly to avoid a large buildup in any one area. Dry the
plate with a hair dryer. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP. It will work better if
dried with heat.
Step
4. Roll, paint, or draw images onto your plate with water soluble ink
or paint or crayons or pencils. If you use watercolors, be sure the paint
is completely dry before printing or you will get light colored holes in the
still wet areas of your work. Thin layers of paint or ink work best. We are
asking the paper to rewet it all, so if the ink is too thick you will have
voids in your color.
Step 5. Print on damp paper. Lay plate on clean smooth surface face up.
Lay damp rag paper (soaked for at least 20 minutes) that has been blotted
to remove all the surface water down on top of the plate. (The paper should
not have any shiny spots, it should look uniformly dull) Lay a piece of waxed
paper on top of the paper. (this keeps the paper from falling apart when you
print). Lay a piece of felt or thermolam over the waxed paper. (Thermolam
is available in fabric stores) Roll over the whole sandwich of plate, paper,
waxed paper and felt with a rolling pin. Apply a lot of pressure, roll back
and forth several times, go both directions rolling slowly. You do not have
to push it through the table. Remove felt and roll again.
REMEMBER TO USE "GOOP" ON EACH PLATE EACH TIME
YOU MAKE A NEW IMAGE.
Step
6. Peel paper off plate starting at one corner moving diagonally. Go slowly,
do not lift paper into the air, but keep close to the plate.
You can print a second color or layer on the same paper, but you must keep
the paper damp. For best results have all plates ready to print and do in
succession. I have successfully printed five, one after the other on the same
piece of rag paper. If you need to keep the paper damp, spray water on newsprint,
lay printed paper face up on newsprint and cover with wax paper or plastic
to keep air off paper. Do not get water on the face of your print as it will
wash you image away.
This process works well as a color separation demonstration, doing a yellow, red, blue and black plate and printing them in succession. You can use watercolor, being sure to day the plates as you go and layer one on top of another looking down through the plates to see your drawing underneath. Mylar is so thin there will not be much distortion by layering the plates. The easiest way to register these plates is to lay your printing paper face up and lay the plate down on top of the print and carefully turn this sandwich over to print, using the above printing method. Peel paper slowly from the plates, remember this is a glue solution we are using and with each successive printing we are adding another layer of glue so things are getting sticky
Try lots of different water soluble mediums, watercolor pencils, Stabillo pencils, water soluble crayons, speedball block printing ink, watercolors, etc. For a great demonstration cover only 1/2 of the plate with "goop" and print. You will be amazed at how much better it prints with the "goop".