Collagraph Prints: About Texture

Collagraph plates are the print maker's collage. The plates are hand made by building up textures on a firm flat surface (eg. illustration board). Different materials - papers, fabrics, straw, string, glues, are used to create texture and collage elements are fastened to the plate with gesso, glue or acrylic medium. Once the plate is 'sealed' (waterproofed) on both sides, it is finished with a layer of matte acrylic medium. Oil based inks (ususally) are applied, then wiped to remove excess before running the plate under pressure, covered with damp printing paper, through a hand operated press. The textured image from the plate is embossed into the paper, along with the colours of ink used, so special papers are needed to accept the embossing. The result is a Collagraph print.