Often the image you are creating in a printing process is backwards than what you might expect.
As you can see above the foam printing plate on the left is a reverse image of the actual print on the right. This ability to reverse images takes time to learn and get use to.
If designs are abstract or symmetrical, sometimes it does not matter if the image get reversed. It is important to reverse words and images that are familiar to you like portraits.
self-portrait
My style of printmaking is exploratory and experimental. But I do think that I have printed so much that I now know that things get reversed and I compensate for that element of the printing process. Often the reversal is not a big deal for me either.
I like to work freely, without too much restriction or planning. I think that is how I discover new approaches and combinations of techniques. Collage and cropping are good ways to “finish” prints into framable pieces of art.
Another “backwards” way I work is to cut paper to the size of frames that I already have. Or to work on paper that fits into standard size frames. That way it is super easy to pop the print into an affordable frame and admire my work.
The next class is Soft Plate Relief Printing. Check out the details on the workshop page. This online class starts soon and includes 6 short actionable lessons spread over a 10 day period.