Inking a collography plate

This is a collograph plate. It is made from hard plastic foam and I have changed the surface of it by both adding materials to it and also taking away some of the surface with a variety of utensils. These different techniques of adding (relief) and cutting away (intaglio) result in lighter and darker areas on the finished product.

Oil based ink (offset inks mixed with gel solvent) is then applied to the surface through rubbing on with plastic cards. I make sure that the entire surface is completely inked and that I can no longer see the image.

My next step is to clear some of the thick ink that is on the surface. When I have deep incisions, I stipple that area to ensure that no large pockets of ink are visible. Then I begin to gently polish the surface with telephone book paper which removes excess ink. When I have completed wiping the surface I should have a thin film of ink on the surface with ink embedded into the textures of the materials.














Above is the printing press that I use for my printing. I lay the inked plate face-up on the bed of the press with a sheet of protective paper underneath. The paper which the image is to be transferred is put on top of the inked plate and then covered by a ‘blanket’ and the whole thing is put through the press. NB The paper which the image is transferred onto is acid-resistant and has been pre-soaked in water for absorbency. Dry paper will stick to the plate and rip.