Lazy Days

Right now the weather in Michigan is getting to be not too hot or not too cold. Its the perfect weather to get lazy and fall a sleep or just .. sitting around .. haha .. so I printed this comfy sofa of mine in bright red to remind me. Wake up sleepy head!!

Multi-color Prints, Registration

I use 2 methods for multi-color prints. The one I used for "Oink" involves 2 plates for 2 colors. This method allow me to do multiple editions and re-use my plates.

The other method is the suicide method. Which only involves 1 plate. Its called suicide because there's no turning back. You carve the plate till there's nothing left. So you can only produce limited amount of the design, and only have 1 edition.

Both methods requires registration (line-up) which I suck and hate. But I've finally came up with a really cheap method. If you want to use multiple plates you have to make sure they are the same size. Once when you put the first plate down. You mark the corners with a pencil. Just 1 dot on each corner. Then when you're printing the second plate you can match up the corners. To be able to match up easily and without smudging I use a see through (clear) ruler. I tape the ruler down. Then line up the dots of one side. Then I can place my plate down without too much fuss.
Its hard to see the dots but they are there. Here's a picture with the ruler and the dots lined up.

After lining up the dots I lined up the plate with the ruler and the top left corner dot, and print.

This print is still in progress because it takes soo long to dry. I will put the entire process with more pictures later. I hope this help you guys out there that are poor and trying to find a cheap way to get things lined up :) ~~~Have fun~~~!!!!

Sorry Folks, Its Been A While

Towards the end of July and at the beginning of August was extremely busy for me. I moved and finally had the day at the Detroit Urban Crafts Fair. It was a great success, my friend Faun and I both made more $$$ than we expected. So, since I've sold out all my oink prints. Now I have to print a new edition. I thought I should share my process once again. Its so messy, but I love it.

This is the 2nd edition of oink

1. After I carved out the linoleum plate with the linoleum cutters.
2. I scooped out the ink red and white to make pink with my palette knife.
3. I rolled the ink on to the brayer and transfered the ink onto the linoleum plate.

4. Placed the linoleum plate on to the paper. Tried to center as much as I can.

5. Then flip the whole thing over so the paper is on top. I placed a paper towel on top so the brayer won't hurt the paper. I used the brayer to apply even pressure so the ink can transfer to the paper evenly.6. Tada! Here's the first layer of pink. They all rest on the drying rack for about 3 days to be dry enough to add the 2nd color.
7. Before and after the 2nd layer is applied.

You can find more prints on rainyprints.etsy.com!