How to print a colour linocut using the reduction technique with Laura Boswell's 'Registration Device' - our very early film making days (sorry about the music!)
Very clever design of the registration device with just a few lines to line up the paper with such precision - simple to use and it's certainly a very smart tool !!!
Just an idea on precision placement of the paper. Once you have the first paper taped down, use double side tape to place little blocks around the perimeter. Now no fussing to get the ‘exact location’ with tape. Just slide paper up against blocks and tape and your perfectly oriented.
Hi Ian - you're quite right, we got that one wrong! But I managed to restrain my other half's enthusiasm for it on the next video (though not completely!)
I am a TOTAL beginner at print making... am just figuring out the printing process and control over my colors is elusive at best at this point. I had hesitated to do a reduction cut but have instead created blocks that I can revisit and color up over and over in different fashion. But your video and my newly arrived registration device have emboldened me and I am ready to try a reduction project. Another lesson in not being attached, I suspect. Thanks for the great videos.
I wish your regn device and videos were compulsory at the beginning of my printmaking diploma. All that time when I queued up for access to the press when I could have just been happily working at my table!!
This is so sensible and well-explained. Have you thought about pin registration for the paper? You just punch each sheet of paper with an office punch and have two little matching metal or wooden pins mounted along on end of the frame to match the punch holes. It's the system that used to be used for film assembly in the printing trade. I agree totally with the previous comments about the background music.
Thanks for all your videos. I live in China and have recently purchased a wood-cutting starter kit and it includes the same type of tools that you acquired in Japan. Further research produced bamboo barrens (sp?). Japan has rightly earned its reputation in craftsmanship, but China is a good start. :-)
Best video I've seen yet on linoblock! I want one of those devices, but I'm in Canada, so shipping? I'm kind of dyslexic when it comes to understanding the reduction method, but this makes it very clear. I'd love to take a class, but I'm not there; could always visit though. Beautiful print, and the music is nice, rather like Charlie Brown piano.
Susan Manderson Hi Susan - thank you for your kind words! We do ship all over the world - if you order on through the shop at www.lauraboswell.co.uk I’ll send you an amended order with the courier costs and you can decide if that’s OK before you go ahead.
Lovely video! Do you have any advice for what to do when the first layer of colour prints fine, but the subsequent colours are splotchy and don't have full coverage?
Laura, thanks for all of your videos, and I'm now enjoying your book and your registration device which just arrived. Question for you - I had been tracing over my pencil with a permanent marker (on my Lino) after transferring my design drawing. I just did my first print with light colors, and I noticed the marker pulled off onto the print. In the past I had done the marker on the block at least 24 hours before printing, and this time around it was only about an hour before. Thoughts? Think the marker will always transfer and I just haven't been seeing it since I was printing dark? I will test this next week and let you know what I find. But, in case the marker is no good - you mention you use India ink and a dip pen. I am using Caligo safe was relief - would non-waterproof India ink work? Thank you!
I might be wrong because i haven't tested this, but i think india ink would work with Caligo safe wash ONLY if you don't use water to clean up the ink between printings but rather use solvents - after all this is the only difference between safe wash and regular oil based inks.
It's a clever technique that requires careful thought. It's a bit of a brain teaser to get my head around. Was the lino left with the border and a few stokes here and there in relief? Thanks for the demo x
Hi Laura, it would help to know what kind of paper you are printing with. I would image it is not a cotton rag paper.... is it a Japanese paper type?. Thanks for the video, it's great
Orcas hi it’s stuff called simili paper from Great Art online store. Pack of 100 largish sheets for about eighteen quid. It’s good natured stuff, about 90gsm I think
Best bet is to run some tests on the card stock - that’s what I would do. Check for drying times and if the paint chips, cracks or flakes when you handle it.