Hot Printmaking How-Tos

How To: Make a gelatin plate for printmaking

Food grade gelatin can be used as a printing surface. It is soft and malleable and allows for the transfer of shapes and great detail. You will need gelatin, water, a measuring spoon, a spoon, and a whisk. Watch this video printmaking tutorial and learn how to make a gelating plate.

How To: Digitally print on uncommon surfaces

In this video, we learn how to digitally print on uncommon surfaces. First, you will want to apply the gloss evenly with a sponge brush. Use clear so that when it's printed you will almost be able to see through it. This will come out really crystal clear and look amazing. Take the top sheet off and set it aside to dry. Grab the underneath part and then cover this with the gloss as well. Doing this step beforehand will help the pre-coat look even better for when you are printing. Once you are...

How To: Refresh your gelatin for more printmaking

In this how-to video, you will learn how to refresh old gelatin for print making. You will need old gelatin, a knife, spoon, blender, microwave oven, newsprint, and a pan to form gelatin in. Now, cut and blend a little of the old gelatin at a time with the knife and blender. Now, scoop the old gelatin out into a bowl and microwave for 1 to 3 minutes. It should become liquefied. Pour the bowl into a pan and leave it to harden over night. Skim off any bubbles. You can use this the next day. Thi...

How To: Build a light table for silkscreening and photography

Josh Copp and Madeline Donahue show us how to build a light table from pine wood and plywood utilizing two fluorescent light fixtures as the light source inside the box. The frame of the box is fashioned out of two 1X8 planks cut into four pieces so that two sides are 30 inches and two sides are 22 3/8 inches. The base of the box is made of plywood or OSB and is 30X22 3/8. Once the pieces are cut and assembled using a pocket hole jig and wood screws, the inside of the box is painted with whit...

How To: Make a Cheap DIY Silkscreen for Screen-Printing Logos & Designs on T-Shirts

This is silk screen production, the cheap and easy DIY way! In order to make this easy silkscreen for making cool T-shirt logos and designs, you'll need some acrylic paint, paintbrushes, cheap net curtain (patterned or plain), vinyl sign sheets, blackboard (or cork board), and some fabric paints to paint with. Also, you'll need a CraftROBO precision cutter. Soon, you'll have your very own screen-printed tee shirt, thanks to your very own homemade silkscreen.

How To: Silk screen print t-shirts in four minutes

This video, which was made at Peopleprint Community Media in Rochdale, teaches how to easily silk screen print a t-shirt in only four minutes! First, design the artwork to be used for the print, then print it on acetate. Next find a clean screen. Put some emulsion in a coating trough and slowly and steadily coat the screen in emulsion. Then dry the emulsion in a dark room and expose the screen to light. Next wash the screen with water and the artwork should become visible. Mask the exposed ar...

How To: Remove gelatin from a pan for gelatin plate prints

In this tutorial, we learn how to remove gelatin from the pan. First, grab a butter knife and run along the edges of the pan slowly and accurately. Once you've done this, you will now be able to remove it from the pan. Place the gelatin softly under your hands and gently move your hands down to the bottom of the other side of the pan. Be careful not to create any cracks in the gelatin. Also, make sure you keep your hands wide so you are touching both sides and the full middle of the gelatin o...

How To: Carve a tiger design pottery seal

Henry Li from Blue Heron Arts shows how to carve a tiger design stamp onto a pottery seal for use with Chinese seal engraving. This technique shows how a pottery seal can be made without having to use a kiln. You will need a pen, pencil, marker, charcoal, knives, and soapstone. The first thing that needs to be done is to create a design. In this tutorial, Li uses a Hahn Dynasty tiger design, which must be flipped by using the computer. The charcoal is then used to duplicate the image onto the...

How To: Screen print your own t-shirts

Ever wonder how screen printed t-shirts are made professionally? This awesome tutorial takes you through the process, starting with the design on the transparency screen, to printing, to the press bed, then to dry. Make sure to listen for advice on how to keep your ink on your t-shirt by heat setting the t-shirt after you're done screen printing.

How To: Screen print your own t-shirt

This great tutorial by BubzBeauty takes us through the step by step process of screen printing your own t-shirts. Materials you will need include Mod Podge glue to make a stencil of your tee design, fabric paint, thin permeable fabric (preferably Organza), a 12 inch embroidery hoop, and a sponge.

How To: Prepare a screen print

Check out this instructional printmaking video that demonstrates how to prepare a screen print. Even though they're brand new, they're contaminated by fingerprints, oil and greases that penetrate as mesh. So follow the simple step by step instructions in this printmaking tutorial to prepare your screen prints.

How To: Output your positive film using Adobe Photoshop

Check out this instructional printmaking video that demonstrates how to output your positive film using Adobe Photoshop. This video goes over how to do a one color image and then a two color image. Create a black image on a clear, white background. Learn a few tips when using a toner enhancer on your film. Output your positive film using Photoshop with this printmaking tutorial video.

How To: Clean up the screen after printing

Check out this instructional printmaking video that demonstrates how to clean up the screen after making a print. Now the ink used stays good forever (until heated), so go ahead and put it back in the ink container. Just scoop it up and squeegee it. It is a good idea to wear latex gloves. Follow the simple instructions outlined in this printmaking tutorial video to learn how to clean up after making a print screen.

How To: Begin screen printing

Watch this instructional screen printing video to do an emulsion, burn an image, and screen print. These tips are helpful for beginners who want to screen print from a photographic image. If you are taking a screen printing class, this video will remind you of a few key steps and processes for screen printing on your own.

How To: Begin drypoint printmaking

Drypoint is a printmaking technique of the intaglio family, in which an image is incised into a plate with a hard pointed needle. Then the print is made with ink and paper. Watch this video printmaking tutorial and learn how to make drypoint prints.

How To: Relief print a woodcut

Watch this one minute printmaking demonstration to make a wood block for woodcut printing. First, transfer a laser inkjet print to a wood block. Then carve a relief image into the wood block. Next, ink and print on a Mini Halfwood Press using a chase device. With the right set up, woodcut printing is a fine art worth learning.

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