Collagraph - Press Gang Printmakers

Collagraphs

As the name suggests a Collagraph print is made using a collage process. A variety of materials are glued onto a card or metal matrix to create a textured plate. Rough textured materials like sand paper or carborundum grit will hold a lot of ink and will therefore generate dense areas of tone in the print. Print tones derived from smoother materials such as kitchen foil or gesso that will not hold as much ink will be less dense and lighter.

The printmaker selects materials that hold inks in different ways. The range of materials in collagraph making is vast and this makes it a very exciting, playful and innovative method of printmaking. The materials can be collected anywhere from the re-cycling bin to the DIY shop. Printmakers become hoarders and see potential in a scrap of lace or piece of old wrapping paper!