Collagraph - Creating and Printing Collagraph Plate

Collagraph is a printmaking technique where materials of various texture are glued to a surface (cardboard) or using a dry point needle to draw into the screenboard. Glue can also be used to draw details. Or the shiny surface of the screen board can be removed, creating areas of black. I have trial some tests of these different methods and have decided to use glue to draw my design. I used a bottle with a very small tip, to create thin lines. I have also used tin foil and glued it onto the screen board. Once the glue was dry, I coated the plate with shellac and allowed it to dry before printing.

Collagraph are printed using a toothbrush to apply the ink and rubbed back with tarlatan. When printing, the press is set like an etching plate, with felt blankets. I have printed on to Kozo paper, which was lightly sprayed with water. The kozo is then placed onto the Collagraph and ran through the press. The kozo paper gave the design a softer texture.