Printing Triangle Centric Designs

Collagraphy

The first printing technique explored in this experimental model is Collagraphy, which is the process of creating a relief print using collage.

 The printing process uses a roll press to compress a plate made from a mounted collage onto the print media. Collage material can be anything from textiles to flat (or flattish) objects, but for this experiment, I used a cardboard mount and varied thicknesses of paper to create my design.

Example of Textile Printing from Laura Slater Textiles

The thickness of the paper used for collage making and the layering of the paper affects the final image. Because this is a relief printing process the higher (more layered) the collage paper the greater pressure will be applied to the print media. If the collage materials are high enough the print media will be deformed or indented during the pressing, which can create a pleasant 3D effect.

This type of printing uses a Positive Plate, which means that material added to the plate will be printed and areas with no application will not. In addition, the higher the collage element the more it will pick up ink when rolled and the darker that element will print. The plate is also reversed, meaning that the lefthand side of the plate will be the righthand side of the printed image. This is extremely important when printing text, which needs to be laid out in reverse to print correctly.

It is possible to print multiple colours using collagraph techniques, by masking the plate during the print process, and by allowing the media to dry before reprinting with second or subsequent colours using the cleaned plate. For this technique to be used it is important to seal the plate before starting the printing process.

I chose to use a two-colour process. Print masking can either be applied during the inking of the plate, or before pressing. I chose the former, carefully masking elements with masking tape whilst rolling the ink and then applying a second colour before pressing.

Similarly to Lino Cut printing the printing inks are rolled on a glass sheet to evenly coat the roller before it is applied to the plate. The Inks used at Solent will wash off hands with soap and water, but the pigments that they contain may stain clothes.

Example of Ink rolling using a glass plate and a printing roller.

Inspired by the 1989 print Silence Equals Death by Keith Haring I chose to print a single triangle as a motif representing gender/sexuality based inequality. I used triangular-shaped paper to represent shattered glass, and an upright triangle centred so that it appeared to be behind the shards. Smaller triangular pieces created a crazed framing effect. I finally added an eye to the top of the triangle and several teardrop shapes extending downwards from it to the bottom of the frame. I printed the triangle in red, because of its proximity to the shade used by Haring. Red is a strong colour that immediately grabs the attention, ideally suited to a protest sign. The Shards of Glass printed in blue, contrasted well with red and provided a nod to the masculine and patriarchy.

The Printing Plate

Keith Haring Silence = Death (1989)

Overall I am happy with my prints. This was my first attempt at Collagraphy, and I found the process highly enjoyable. I particularly liked the way in which the empty areas of the plate picked up some ink during the inking process which transferred onto the media, I felt that they gave the finished prints a more organic, handmade feel, which differentiates the work from my core medium of photography.

The Printed Media

HARING, K., 1989. Silence = Death (1918) [Viewed 19/10/2014]. Available from: https://www.haring.com/!/art-work/848-2

SLATER, L., n.d. Collagraph [Viewed 19/10/2024]. Available from: https://www.lauraslater.co.uk/collections/collagraph/