1. Printmaking

2. What is Printmaking?
Printmaking began as a form of communication before we had technology such as the printing press, copy machines, or computers.

3. The History of Printmaking
Printmaking began in China shortly after paper was invented, about A.D It flourished in Europe in the 15th century, and turned from just a means of communication to an art form.

4. Printmaking: An Art
Fine art printmaking involves the creation of a master plate from which multiple images are made. This series of images produced from the same plate is called an Edition.

5. Types of Printmaking
Artists make different types of plates. Some of the types of printmaking include Intaglio, Screen printing, etching, wood blocks and linocuts.

6. Linocuts
For our project we will use Linoleum blocks and carve into the plate to produce a linocut.
Linoleum is much softer than wood to carve into, but the plate does not last as long.

7. Examples of Linoleum Block Prints, or Linocuts

15. Your Project: Step by Step
1. Divide a 9”x12” piece of newsprint into 2 boxes: 6”x6” each
2. Sketch out 2 different designs
3. Pick 1 that you will make into your prints

16. 4. Cut out your sketch and use a piece of carbon paper to transfer your design to the lino block.
5. Trace over the transferred design with pen.

17. 6. Start to carve away the areas that you want to remain white when printing.
7. Any area not carved will print when ink is applied.

18. 9. Apply the ink to your plexiglass as shown in demonstration and roll it out with your Brayer.
10. Apply ink to linocut with the brayer.

19. 11. Before the ink dries, center a piece of 9”x12” newsprint over the printing plate.
12. Rub the spoon over the paper to make sure ink is applied evenly.
13. Lift paper off CAREFULLY and let dry.

20. 14. The print you made on newsprint is called an Artist’s Proof
14. The print you made on newsprint is called an Artist’s Proof. It’s your first print to see if you applied the ink evenly and to see if you need to change the printing plate at all before you continue to print your edition.

21. Printing an Edition You will print an edition of 2 for your design.
Hand in one artist’s proof on newsprint, two “real” prints on white paper for a total of 3 prints.

22. How to sign your Prints

23. Varied Edition
Out of the 3 prints you hand in, one “real” print will be a Varied Edition.
This means you will add color to the print somehow.
When signing the prints, this Varied edition must be marked as v.e. next to the number of the print.

24. Have fun and be creative in your designs!
Your design should not look like anyone else’s.
You should try to be as unique as possible and draw out designs that you think no one else will have.
Remember when drawing the designs and adding detail, that you will be carving it out.