How do you relate to your printmaking tools?
Do you:
- Have a place for everything?
- Or are they piled all over the studio?
- Are they cleaned after every use?
- Or do they have years of visible wear
- Do you rush out to buy the latest and greatest gadget
- Or do you dig through the recycle bin?
There is really no right or wrong way to take care of your printmaking tools, as long as it works for you. I will share my tips for caring for your gelatin plate printmaking tools.
Printing Tool Care Tips
The Brayers
- Clean your brayers after every session, so they keep spinning
- Use tepid water and very mild soap
- I have heard that Murphy’s Oil Soap will remove Acrylic paint.
- Be sure to clean around the edges and under the cross bar
- Rest Brayers on the cross bar rather than the roller
The Gelatin and Glycerin Plate
- Lightly cover with plastic chopping mat
- Be aware of your climate, if very hot then you may need to store in the refrigerator to make the plate last
- Plate seems to last longer if you use it regularly
- If you notice early signs of molding, then wipe with vinegar and water mix, melt and reform it. Pour through a tarlatan to catch the gunk
Stencils
- Let them dry flat and not stuck to other stencils
- Store in file folders or shallow trays
- I don’t clean them, because I love the ink build up
- Every once in a while purge and sort. It makes them easier to find
Stamping Tools
- Clean delicate tools so they don’t get clogged with ink
- Store in handy boxes or containers
- Put like tools with like tools
I would rather be playing with making prints than taking care of my tools. But if I don’t take care of them, then they won’t do what I want.
Gelatin printmaking tools are very easy to clean, store and care for. That is one of the reason that I love the process. I can be more spontaneous.
Join us in a class – see what is being offered on the printmaking workshop page.
You want to explore gelatin printmaking.
You have landed in the right place.
Join the mailing list, and you will get the glycerin and gelatin plate recipe, that you can use to make your own monotype printing plate.
- You get a how to video
- Written reminders
- Trouble shooting tips
I am happy to share these instructions on how to make the gel printing plate. I want you to try this monotype printmaking technique and enjoy years of spontaneous printmaking.
Additionally, you will receive a weekly email about printmaking, ideas, tips and courses.
Join us today and start having fun!
Thanks Linda for the information. I will save the info in my special monoprinting folder.
Thank you, Linda. I appreciate your ongoing encouragement and inspiration. I am delighted to have been able to introduce my two grandchildren to mono printmaking while visiting them over the long southern summer vacation in Australia and they are keen participants and explorers!
Hi. Murphys Oil Soap works well if you soak brushes in it but it hasn’t worked for me for stencils or palette knives etc. Greased Lightning works sometimes.
I like the idea of file folders. Mine hang and it takes a long time to put them up.
Is there a way to get Gesso off your clothing?
I use Citrasolve to clean up my brayer and brushes and stamps when I’ve used acrylic paints. It even gets the paint off after several days if I forget to clean up right away. It’s nontoxic. It’s a little oily so I follow it up with dish soap.
I love using “Awesome” spray that you can get at the Dollar Tree. It very easily gets off dried paint.