I am a big fan of collage, I may take a break from it now and then but it always seems to find its way back into my art.
So collagraphy, which is basically a form of printing from a collaged plate, seemed a natural next step in my creative process.
I have been creating some handprinted collagraphs recently, inspired by ideas within Sally Tyrie’s online course - Visual Narratives - Print, Paint, Stitch hosted by Fibre Arts Take Two
Handprinted collagraphs
Handprinting however has its restrictions as you can’t always get an even pressure across the plate and/or your pressure may not be strong enough to get a well defined print.
I don’t have easy access to a print studio or the funds to purchase a home printing press so a perusal online showed printmakers using craft die cutting machines to print with.
A favourite seems to be the Xcut Xpress which has adjustable rollers so pressure can be changed according to how thick your printing plate is. Unfortunately it is no longer in production. If you are lucky you might pick one up on eBay or a similar site.
I had no such luck so settled for what seemed the next best option for me - the Sizzix Big Shot Plus.
Sizzix Big Shot - getting ready to print
Unfortunately it doesn’t have an adjustable roller so I have to adjust the pressure manually by adding or taking away cards or sheets of paper to increase or decrease the pressure from the roller onto the plate.
On the upside it can print papers up to 8 inches wide and any length as long as you have a suitable board that will go through the press. Handprinted in the UK do an accessory pack for the Xcut Xpress which is also suitable to use with the Sizzix.
My Sizzix has been waiting patiently to be used for a few months now. I have been busy working an a new body of work and I wanted to create some collagraphy prints as part of that, so it was the perfect opportunity to try out the Sizzix.
It was also the perfect time to dip into Sally Hirst's online course - Complete Creative Collagraphy. She gives a clear explanation on setting up the Sizzix for printmaking, as well as very helpful in depth content on collagraphy.
I used akua intaglio inks and created a number of collagraphy plates to test the whole process from beginning to end.
collagraph and drypoint plates
Akua inks
Overall it was pretty successful, It took a few runs through the press before I came to recognise the ‘correct’ pressure for the prints.
You can see a video of me making my first print from the press here
Some of my first prints from the press
I will be recording my experiences with this method of printing here on my blog. You can sign up for my newsletter at the bottom of this page if you would like to be kept notified.