What are Collagraphs?

As a printmaking technique, collagraphs are a fairly modern innovation. The approach is low-tech and wide-open on the methods and materials you can use to create your collagraph plate. The way I make a collagraph plate is pretty basic: I take a piece of mat board and carve into it to create recesses that hold ink. I also build up the surface using a variety of materials.

Short Videos: How to Print a Collagraph

These 3 shorts give you an intro to making a collagraph print.

First, take a look at the plates I use for a two-plate collagraph.

Now, take a look at color only:

Next step, add the linework using the second plate:

How to Make a Collagraph Plate

The videos above show the process to print a collagraph. But how do I make the plate in the first place?

I use mat board cut to the dimensions I want for the image. I then use a variety of methods to create the image, including:

1. Cutting into the mat board with an Exacto knife to remove a layer of paper, creating recessed areas that will hold ink and appear dark.

2. Building up the surface to create a variety of effects using products such as gesso and moulding paste. I also use carborundum to create dark areas.

3. Collaging cut and torn papers to the surface.

4. Etching into the varnish to create finer lines, similar to an etching.

Once the plate is ready, I treat it exactly like an etching plate - I ink it up and put it through the press with printmaking paper over it to transfer the image to the paper.