How to make a Paper Lithograph at home. Hand printed Paper prints.

Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Make a Paper Lithograph at Home

Materials Needed:

1. Drawing or design to be printed
2. Printer (3-in-1 copier scanner printer)
3. Photoshop software
4. Gum arabic
5. Oil-based ink (Speedball oil-based ink or black etching ink with plate oil)
6. Paper plates
7. Sponges
8. Brushes (soft and hard)
9. Brayers (soft rubber and hard rubber)
10. Plexiglas or glass surface
11. Bristol board or thick paper
12. Water
13. Old phone book or newsprint
14. Mixing containers
15. Drawing or design to be printed
16. Music for entertainment during the process

Step 1: Digitize the Drawing

1. Scan or photograph your drawing or design.
2. Transfer the digitized drawing to Photoshop for any necessary editing or adding text.

Step 2: Prepare the Printing Plate

1. Place a piece of plexiglas or glass underneath the bristol board for support.
2. Roll out the oil-based ink on the printing plate using a hard rubber brayer.
3. Clean the brayer between swipes with a piece of newsprint.

Step 3: Apply Gum Arabic

1. Pour gum arabic onto the printing plate to act as a binding agent.
2. Use a sponge to wet the printing plate with water and gum arabic.
3. Clean excess water and gum arabic off the plate with a sponge.

Step 4: Transfer the Design

1. Place the printed copy (plate for printing) on the wet printing plate.
2. Use a soft rubber brayer to roll out the design tightly to prevent bubbles.
3. Clean the plate between transfers to ensure a clean print.

Step 5: Ink the Plate

1. Roll oil-based ink onto the printing plate using a hard rubber brayer.
2. Clean the brayer periodically to avoid excess ink buildup.
3. Ink the plate thoroughly, ensuring the ink sticks only to the design due to the oil and water interaction.

Step 6: Print the Design

1. Press the paper onto the inked plate.
2. Apply pressure evenly across the paper using a squeegee or brayer.
3. Peel the paper off the plate to reveal the printed design.

Step 7: Clean Up

1. Clean the printing plate and brayers thoroughly after each print to avoid ink buildup.
2. Use an old phone book or newsprint to clean excess ink off the brayers.
3. Store the printing plate properly for future use.

Step 8: Finish and Display

1. Allow the prints to dry completely before handling or displaying.
2. Frame the prints for display or use them in mixed media pieces as desired.

Additional Tips:

• Experiment with different brushes, inks, and techniques to achieve various effects.
• Enjoy the process by listening to music while printing.
• Practice patience and precision to create high-quality paper lithographs.

By following these steps, you can create your own handmade paper lithographs at home using traditional techniques. Experiment with different designs and colors to unleash your creativity and produce unique art pieces.