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What is Collagraph?
What is Collagraph?
refers to a collage of various materials (string, leaves, buttons, etc) glued on to a “matrix”. The matrix is then inked up and paper is then pressed onto the surface to produce a print.
Materials:
To Build Matrix: Cardboard, Elmers Glue, and any found materials: string, feathers, toothpicks, foam, etc.
To Print: Placemat, Ink, Brayer, Baren or Printing Paper, Printing press, Palette Knife, Plexiglass or Plastic tray
Steps for Building a Collagraph Matrix
Start by experimenting with different textures: what does a feather print like? What does cardboard look like if you carve into and then print? What will hot glue look like if you print it?
Decide on a format for your matrix- square, rectangular, diamond, star…
Draw a sketch that utilizes the entire space; focus on how you can utilize shape, line, and texture with different materials
Cut a piece of cardboard to the desired shape of your print.
Roughly sketch your finalized design on your matrix.
Gather and begin cutting your found materials into specific shapes in order to make them fit into your design.
Organize and arrange the cut-outs as desired and glue them to your matrix using Elmers or hot glue.
Once all the pieces are glued down, go over the entire matrix with a thin layer of glue to create a resist, if necessary. Be careful, too much glue will cover all your details.
Steps for Printing the Matrix with 1 Color
Prepare a work area. You will need all of your materials: placemat, matrix, ink, palette knives, paper, baron or printing press.
Place a small nickel-sized amount of ink at the top of the plexiglass or plastic tray.
Roll out a solid and consistent amount of ink onto your brayer so that it sounds like a hissing noise. When there is enough ink distributed onto the brayer, roll it onto your matrix. Be sure to get every corner. You can add areas of color with a paintbrush or by blocking out areas with paper.
When there is enough ink, place your paper onto the matrix and press down with a baren in a circular motion to apply even pressure. DO NOT PICK UP THE MATRIX AND USE IT LIKE A STAMP!
Steps for Printing the Matrix with 2 Colors
Decide on a format- square, rectangular, diamond, star…
Draw a sketch that SEPARATES the foreground and background onto two different pieces of paper. Be sure that your sketch utilizes the entire space; focus on how you can utilize shape, line, and texture with different materials.
Cut a piece of cardboard to the desired shape; ONE for the background and ONE for the foreground.
***Be sure to block out (cut out) the shape of your foreground plate on your background plate so that it does not print overtop your image***
Securely glue your materials to your plate using hot glue and/or Elmer’s glue. Let the glue completely dry before printing.
Background plate first: Ink up your plate using a brayer with a single layer of ink. DO NOT over ink as it could ruin your plate.
Center a piece of paper on top of your plate and apply pressure using a baron. Set print aside to dry.
Foreground plate second: Ink up your second plate using the colors of choice. You can do one single color or use the rainbow roll method.
Using the print you made in step #6, center the piece of paper on top of your plate and apply pressure using a baron.
Repeat for more colors…
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