fabric prints

Inks & paints for printing on Fabric with the Gelatin plate

fabric prints, monotype print / /
monotype printing on fabric with the gelatin plate by linda germain
monoprinting on fabric with the gelatin plate

I am playing with all types of printmaking inks and paints for making prints on fabric with the gelatin and glycerin plate.

I am looking for inks that are compatible with the water based printing plate.

I am drawn to the type of fine detailed impressions that are possible on the homemade glycerin plate. I am always amazed at the fine details that are possible with mere hand pressure and the gelatin and glycerin plate.

It is important to me that the inks permit the printing of these types of detailed impressions.

The perfect ink will:

  • roll out thin layer with brayer
  • hold the edge of a detailed mark
  • stay alive/workable as long as possible
  • non-toxic and low fumes
  • dry fixed on the fabric

The monoprints in the photo were printed with the Versatex screen printing inks. I am pleased with these inks so far.  A bonus is that they work well with paper too.

These screen printing inks have a nice consistency and they roll up nicely on the glycerin and gelatin printing plate.

If you would like to learn more about Monoprinting Fabric with inks and the gelatin plate read all the details on the self study workshop page.

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Cover your journal with monoprinted fabric

fabric prints / /
monotypes on fabric - a project by linda germain
Quick and Easy project – Use monoprints to cover a journa and ENJOY!l

I have been wondering what the attraction is to working with fabric.

I think it has to be the personal, tactile nature of the medium.  You can feel it, touch it and even wear it.

Prints on paper are often under glass and we are discouraged from touching them.

Tell me in the comments: Why you love to work with fabric and printmaking.

Here’s a quick tutorial:

  1. Put strips of strong double stick tape on the outer edges of the inside of the covers of a stiff composition journal.
  2. Cut your fabric about 3/4″ – 1″ bigger all the way around the open journal. So you have enough to cover the back and the front and wrap 3/4″ – 1″ to the inside.
  3. Wrap one edge over and stick it to the tape,  as shown in the top right image.
  4. Carefully pull the fabric taut and then stick it to the tape. You want it to be flat and tight, but not so tight that it warps your journal.
  5. Snip the fabric at the top and bottom of the spine.  This will allow you to get around the pages.
  6. You can get fancy and miter the corners, or just snip out some of the excess and finger press the fabric flat.
  7. You could finish the inside covers with more tape and fabric.  I simply pressed the first and last page to the inside covers.

Now I get to see, touch, and enjoy these monoprints everyday.

Interested in gelatin printing your own fabric? Check out the online class Monoprinting Fabric.

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Screen print on top of a Gelatin Plate Monotype

2010, fabric prints, screen printing / /
©2012 linda germain – gelatin print and thermofax screen print

The pile of gelatin prints on fabric were calling me.  So I screened this tree on to several of them.

This is a thermofax screen print created with a black and white photo that I took back in 1978.  It is an old apple tree on the hill behind the family homestead.  The thermo fax process is great for converting high contrast images into screens for printing multiple images. If you are interested in learning more about this process in an online printmaking class then join the special interest group for thermofax printing.

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Mark making tools for Gelatin Prints

2010, fabric prints, mark making tools / /
©2012 linda germain – found objects for gelatin printmaking

I can’t resist a visit to EXCL when I am in Lynn.  It is a recycling center for creatives.  I try to limit my self to stuff that I will use.  But how do I know what I am going to use before hand?  So this week I added these film canister things and other round things for making marks in the ink on the gelatin printing plate/pad.  I used the red toy like a cookie  cutter to make a circle of gelatin. See a print here.

©2012 linda germain cut up an old gelatin plate and print some more

So don’t give up on the gelatin plate that is starting to fall apart.  Get out your cookie cutters and press out some shapes.  Ink them up.  Work into the ink and make some impressions. Happy Printing!

How to make a gelatin Plate for printmaking – the video

Quick video on the basics of gelatin printmaking

Gelatin printing artist trading cards – a short video

48 second slideshow of gelatin prints by linda germain and why she loves it.

Or Take the next gelatin printing workshop

Post by Linda Germain

 

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