mark making tools

Stamping tools for Making Monotypes

mark making tools / /

Plastic hand stamping tool for gelatin printmaking - Linda Germain printmaking teacher

Search the seasonal plastic section of your local dollar store for stamping tools for printmaking. I found this paper plate holder with this circular pattern.

Found object mark making tool for gelatin printing by Linda Germain

The beauty of printing with the gelatin and glycerin printing plate is the great detail is possible with just hand pressure for printing.

Use the thin layer of ink on the plate to ink the tools. Press the stamping tool into the thin layer of ink, transfer the thin layer to the tool and then print it back on to the plate.

Then place the print paper on top and burnish. All with just hand pressure.

Check out current workshop offerings.

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Sprocket as a printmaking tool – monotypes

mark making tools / /

Use gentle pressure to lift off ink with this found object toolUse gentle pressure to lift off ink with this found object tool

You need to be gentle with metal  tools when you use them with gelatin plate. Metal could easily pierce or cut the gelatin plate.

I like how I can lightly run the sprocket over the inked area of the plate and then print of the sprocket on a clean area of the gelatin plate.

Work into ink with metal sprocket - Linda Germain

Line element can be:

  • bold
  • chaos
  • meandering
  • directive

If you would like to explore making monotypes on the glycerin and gelatin plate join the next session of Make Monotypes, the online printmaking course. Read about the details of the class. Class starts soon.

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Found tool for Printmaking without a press

mark making tools / /

Jar opener as stamping tool with the gelatin plate - Linda germainI see printmaking tools all around me. Today I am going to share how a rubber jar opener can be used to work into the thin layer of ink on the gelatin plate.

The idea is to work into the thin layer of ink on the gelatin plate. So I use the rubber jar opener to lift off ink. It eventually becomes coated with ink and then I can use it to apply delicate marks back on to the plate.

Jar opener as printmaking tool

I challenge you to dig through your miscellaneous kitchen utensil drawer and see if you have a rubber jar opener that could become a new printmaking tool.

The magic  starts to happen when you play with many pieces of paper and layer your marks. If you would like some help exploring gelatin printmaking, with the homemade glycerin and gelatin plate, then join us in the next session of Make Monotypes, the online printmaking course. 

  • Early bird registration opens January 24, 2016
  • Next session will be offered in February 22, 2016
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Printmaking techniques inspired by back to school supplies

mark making tools / /
notebooks, erasers and index cards are good printmaking supplies
School supplies are good for many printmaking techniques

I love this time of year, back to school.

Maybe it is because I went to school for 19 years.  I love getting new notebooks and erasers and pencils. These things still fit into my printmaking life.

  • Notebooks – great for journalling ideas
  • Pencils – sketching and tiny stamping tools
  • Erasers – good for craving relief blocks
  • Index cards – for quick monotype prints

If you love going back to school too.  Then you might like to join online printmaking class.

 

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How do you care for your Brayers?

mark making tools / /

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How do you care for your tools?

I love having lots of brayers available, so that I don’t have to stop and clean them, when I am in the flow of printmaking.  Since they are an expensive tool, I want to take care of them, so they will last a long time.

A good brayer spins easily and evenly.  I often check the spin quality, before I buy them if I can.  So to keep your brayers spinning for many years to come, I suggest:

  1. When printing rest the brayer on the metal cross bar rather than the rubber roller.
  2. Don’t let acrylic paint or other quick drying supplies dry on your brayer
  3. Have a bucket and rag handy while working to clean as you go.
  4. Roll the brayer on clean pages of a phone book to remove most of the ink before washing
  5. Never use hot, hot water or harsh cleaners on your brayer
  6. Get those hard to reach nooks and crannies clean on the sides and edges of your brayer.  That is where the ink likes to hide.
  7. If you share your tools, then make sure your friends know how to care for the brayer too.

Those are some quick tips to keep those brayers rolling.

If you are interested in learning more of my printmaking tips join me in a class soon. Read about the current printmaking classes here.

Happy Printing!

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