Print patterns on fabric with foam plates

foam plate printmaking / /

I was inspired by the geometric patterns of African mud cloth in this pillow project.

hand printed fabric

I made a few small 2″ x 4″ soft foam plates and played with creating pleasing patterns. I printed on linens and napkins from the thrift store.

foam printing plates

I found that I liked the simple designs best and to leave a little space between impression gave the eye a place to rest. These foam printing plates are made from recycled styrofoam produce trays.

Heat set hand printed fabric

I heat set the printed fabric with an iron. I use the hottest possible temperature and use a thin cloth in between the iron and printed fabric. The longer you can wait to wash the more permanent it becomes as well.

relief printed pillow

If you would like to make a bunch of foam plates and play with printing on paper or fabric, then join us in Soft Plate Relief Printing, the online class starting soon. Get all the details on the printmaking workshop page.

relief printed fabric quilt

I was ambitious and made this ocean inspired quilt from a stack of relief printed swatches. FUN!

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Line drawings and Relief prints

foam plate printmaking / /

The soft plate relief printing class available now. This low tech method is an easy way to make printing plate from bold line drawing.

soft foam relief printing plates

The idea is to make recessed lines in the plates. Ink sits on the high spots of the surface and the lines print in white.

soft relief plate for printmaking

You can use a variety of tools to make the lines in the soft foam plate:

  • pens and pencils
  • nails
  • embossing tools and
  • sturdy found objects like twigs

different styles of marks with soft foam relief plates

Different tools will create marks with different characteristic. Finding new mark making tools is part of the fun of this method of printmaking without a press.

different line characteristic foam printing plates

You can combine these small plate into prints of varying sizes. I like to make plates that can fit together like a puzzle.

foam plate relief print

If you are interested in learning to make and print with these foam plates, then join us in the online class, Soft Plate Relief Printing.

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Gelatin printing and screen printing

artist book / /

I am in my studio and thinking about all the printmakers around the world who are printing too! It is Print Day in May 2020.

linda germain in her studio

I made a tiny 2020 relief stamp yesterday from a small chunk of an eraser. I think I will use it on some prints today.

2020 relief stamp

I had planned on making some 8″ x 10″ gelatin prints on this international day of printmaking. But I also made a stack of monotype printed pages that could be formed into a book.

monotype printed book pages

Change of plans! I am going to keep it loose and fun!

  • I over printed the pages with yellow and gold gelatin plate impressions
  • I used some thermofax screens and EZscreens to add more marks to the pages
  • I gelatin printed some new papers for the book covers

screen printed pages

Screen printed marks can add such detail. I am not sure how the book is going to come together. It is warm so the inks are drying quickly, so I think I could finish today.

monotype printed pages artist book

Printing a great way to spend the day.

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Print day in May

Gelatin plate print / /

Tomorrow is Print Day in May!

This is a global day of printmaking. Join us and print and post on social media. Use the hashtags:

I will be gelatin printing and thinking of the international group of printmakers celebrating our craft.

gelatin prints in process

I hope you join us. I look forward to seeing your prints on instagram or Facebook.

Two easy ways to gelatin print tomorrow

  1. If you already have a gelatin plate, then gather your inks, paper and stencils and print!
  2. If you don’t have a gelatin plate, then make the simple gelatin and water plate today and then you will be ready to print tomorrow. Get the gelatin and water recipe and a free starter class below.

Get the FREE mini Gelatin Printmaking Course Now!
start making gelatin prints today

Use what you already have, one box of gelatin and start to play today. You can do it!

You will also get weekly emails about printmaking, tips, tools and classes.

 

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Find what motivates you – draw + print

trace monoprint / /

I noticed this note on my wall today.

what motivates you to make prints

It is a note about my process and how I think about printmaking. It really helps to have a stimulating and personal subject matter. Even a “special” found tool or mark making instrument can keep me printing for hours.

Secondly, I am reminded that my experimental approach to making prints without a press is not a straight line to success, but more like an ever widening spiral, with plenty of ups and downs and “failures.”

The third note:

  • simple
  • raw
  • authentic

is to remind me to embrace the idea that less is more. Sometimes that means fewer marks and and clearer focus.

trace monoprint scissors

I am thinking about using “studio stuff” as a subject matter for my next series of Trace Monoprints for the See, Draw, Print – online printmaking class.

Then I could work the prints into a small book. This will take a bit of planning so I have pages that can easily be bound. Last year I used the drum leaf binding to make a series of trace monoprints.

book of trace monoprints

Today, I explored using a perfect binding with single sheet 5 ” x 7″ prints. I really wanted that form of binding to work, but I don’t think it is very durable.

artist book of trace monoprints with perfect binding

Generally, I find fresh ideas and motivation when I am walking. I put a reminder note on my phone and test out my ideas when I get back to the studio.

Today’s ideas:

  • New way to use masking stencil – did not work as imagined
  • Use perfect binding to bind 5 x 7 prints – ok but I am not in love.
  • Find tools to make trace monoprint landscape – in progress

I share this with the hope to inspire you to act on your creative impulses and to be aware of what motivates you.

If you are interested in learning to use your line drawings to make trace monoprints, then join us in the online printmaking class, SEE, draw, Print – class start soon. Read all the details on the workshop page.

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