Learning the Basics of Collograph Printmaking

Making collographs is a fun and different way to introduce printmaking to students, as well as being very economical. I just finished this project with my High School Art I class, and was very impressed with their enthusiasm in creating the textures in their collographs. Here is the basic lesson plan I made and used when teaching the class about collographs.

Collograph Printmaking Lesson

Objective: To introduce a new type of printmaking to students, concentrating on texture as well as color.

Materials: a stiff background for the printing plate, as thin meat tray foam, tag board, cardboard, etc...cut into the size desired, lots of scraps and found objects (burlap, craft sticks, woodsies, string, cord, corks, saran wrap, foil, etc...) , white glue, mod podge, paint brushes, water soluble printing inks, paper towels, masking tape, white copy paper, tub of water, inexpensive roll paper, rolling pin

Procedure: Explain the project and demonstrate the printing process to the class in detail. Make up an example ahead of time to show the students different types textures. Students will use white glue to assemble their collages, starting with the background and working up. Make sure to stress that the color of the materials used on the collograph plate will not be the final color on the paper. The inks applied to the plate prior to printing will add the desired colors on their paper.

Once the glue used on the collage is dry, coat the entire piece with an ample coat of mod podge or similar sealer. This helps to waterproof the materials used in the Collograph Printmaking process after inking the plate and printing on damp paper.

When the sealer is dry, you can ink the plates. I used stomps made from rolled up paper towels and masking tape to apply the ink to large areas and small paint brushes for the detailed areas. Use plenty of ink.

Soak the copy paper in water during the inking process to get it damp enough that it will mold into the high and low areas of the collograph plate. Then roll over the paper with a rolling pin between clean pads of newsprint papers to take out any excess moisture. Place the damp paper on top of the inked collogaph plate. Use your hands to gently push the damp paper down and into the inked plate to get a good print.

You might be able to get two prints from one inking. Be sure that your paper is just damp. If it's too wet, the ink will run. The paper should be just damp enough to take the ink and conform to the contours of the printing plate. Re-ink the collograph plate as needed if you want to do a series of prints. We did this project to make Holiday Greeting Cards, but you could do it anytime of year with any theme or idea you or your students would have.

Evaluation: Students should show an understanding of texture and putting textures together in a pleasing manner. Prints should show evidence of at least three different colors and three different textures.

I hope this article has sparked some creativity and inspires you to try Collograph printmaking soon. It is a great project that produces beautiful, textural results.