Vocabulary

  • Relief Printing: a form of printmaking in which only the raised areas of the block are printed
  • Plate: the surface on which the image is prepared. It can be wood, stone, linoleum or a variety of other materials
  • Easy Kut: a type of rubber that can be used on both sides for printing.
  • Gouge: the tool used for carving away the negative space of your design. It comes with a variety of different blades.
  • Brayer: the rolling device used to spread ink on the plate and then onto the block.
  • Baren: a tool used to transfer onto the paper by friction.
  • Edition: the total number of identical prints (copies) made from one image

SIGNING A PRINT

Each print is signed in pencil along the bottom edge under the ink. On the left side you place the edition number: the first print out of three will have the fraction 1/3 on the left side, the second print will say 2/3 and the third will be 3/3. In the center you place the title of the design (personal Logo). And on the right hand side you sign your name. All this information must start and stop directly underneath the print and not hangout on either side.

THE PROCESS

• Once your Logo project is complete you will trace it onto tracing paper.

• You will then transfer it to the block of easy cut, by turning it face down and rubbing the back with a spoon/popsicle stick.

• REMEMBER IT NEEDS TO BE THE MIRROR IMAGE OR ELSE YOU WORDS AND LETTERS WILL BE BACKWARDS!

• SEE ME BEFORE YOU START CUTTING TO MAKE SURE THIS IS CORRECT!

• The negative space will be cut away using gouges. Please use the correct safety procedures demonstrated in class.

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• Once your image is cut out completely for the easy cut you are ready to ink and print. Spread out newspaper on your table first!

• You may want to work with a partner to make sure your paper and plates are clear of fingerprints.

• A little bit of ink goes a long way. Squeeze from the bottom of the tube. Put out a “toothpaste-on-a-toothbrush” amount at a time.

• Ink will be spread onto a bench hook then transferred to the block with a brayer. Listen for the “snap” noise this is how you know you have the right amount of ink. Too much ink will fill in your lines.

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• A sheet of paper is then laid on top of the plate and a baren is rubbed in a circular motion on top of this to transfer the ink to the paper. This is called pulling the print.

• After you make a few “practice” editions of prints in black ink, you may then choose a variety of colors to create 3 final prints.

Safety

Always cut away from your hand!

The gouge blades are sharp and could cut you if you are not using them right. You must demonstrate to me the proper technique before you are aloud to cut your plate.

TEACHER INITIALS______STUDENT INITIALS______

Clean Up

  • Everything must be washed and dried before you leave class! Points will be taken away from your grade if this is not done!
  • There will be stations to put tools after use once they have been cleaned. Look for the sign.
  • You must wash The Brayers, Inking glass and your plate.
  • Please work with the people at your table to get your workspace clean!
  • Remember to lay down newspaper. This will help to reduce the mess. Cover your table!