Baren Digest Sunday, 9 November 2003 Volume 25 : Number 2436 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Maria Arango" Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2003 18:15:19 -0800 Subject: [Baren 23322] Re: Bookbinding press adaptaion Chris wrote: >Now, a few questions for the group: > >1. Is it okay to switch paper part way though an edition? (limited) >I have printed about 10 (of 20) of a print on standard rice paper, but I >am now using Masa paper for most of my prints. I would like to >switch, but am not sure if this is acceptable or not. Chris, I do this all the time and simply note it on my records database. By the time I die curators probably won't have MS Access 2003 anyway so...I must warn you that there are several warrants for my arrest issued by the printmaking police though :-) I don't write it on every print, forgoodnessakes...I just edition as usual on 2 types, sometimes 3 types of paper. The total edition number is the magic /denominator. >2. Does the first print always turn out 'weak'? Every time I start >printing, the first time I ink a block it is always a right off. Does >it usually take one print to get the block 'ready for printing'? Is >this normal? Yes, in fact the first 2-5 prints _shouldn't_ be up to standard. The reason is the ink layer has to build up slowly in order to print with enough strength but not fill in the delicate lines. In some engravings, the first dozen prints are weak and getting progressively stronger until the block is fully "rolled up." The first few proofs build up that layer, building up too soon results in uneven areas and sometimes in areas with too much ink. So ink and proof, ink and proof, ink and proof...then you're ready! Also, usually I tend to proof on newsprint and when switching to the "real" paper find that the first print on that are also weak because printmaking paper is "thirstier." Make sense? >3. What is the difference between hard & rubber rollers? I'm >currently using a 4" Speedball (oh no, the 'S' word :-) rubber roller >for inking my blocks. Most of my prints are around 5 or 6" in width and >vary in height to about 7". Would a larger roller be better? Would a >hard roller help? Weeeeelll, there ARE hard-rubber rollers! The hardness of the roller will affect the ink layer. Stiffer ink and delicate lines need a harder roller to lay out a thinner layer of ink. Goopier ink (that's a technical term) or large flat areas are easier to ink with a soft roller. I use speedball rollers all the time, I like the soft rubber for my sloppy style. I also invested in some harder rollers (Graphic Chemical has a delicious variety) in all sizes, from 1/4" to 12"; and have a softer 12" and 18" and my 24" monster roller. Having said all that, my most FUR (Frequently Used Roller) is a 6" Speedball. I really don't think you need a larger roller for those size prints. But it's nice to ink with a larger roller because it takes less time per print. Thanks for the press notes! Maria ------------------------------ From: Emkaygee#aol.com Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2003 21:35:40 EST Subject: [Baren 23323] Re: Baren Digest V25 #2435 Hi Chris! As for your first question on editioning.....I would either annotate #1-10 on rice paper and #11-20 on Masa. As Barbara has mentioned, it's better to be clear when editioning for collectors or curators. In my opinion though when reprinting after the initial run of 20, I would alter the print (even slightly) and declare it a second state printing. >2. Does the first print always turn out 'weak'? Every time I start printing, >the first time I ink a block it is always a right off. Does it >usually take one print to get the block 'ready for printing'? Is this normal? >3. What is the difference between hard &rubber rollers? I'm currently >using a 4" Speedball (oh no, the 'S' word :-) rubber roller for inking my >blocks. Most of my prints are around 5 or 6" in width and vary in height to >about 7". Would a larger roller be better? Would a hard roller help? As for questions #2 and #3: Many times the block needs to be "primed" even when printing in oil. It might take 2 or three printings before you get exactly what you want. Ink attracts ink, so you will get better coverage after the first couple of prints. And........hard rollers are used mainly for prints which have fine detail so that the ink sits on the relief surface and doesn't sink into finely cut grooves. I tend to use a stiffer relief ink (Daniel Smith is great!) when I use a hard roller. Softer rollers are for prints without very fine detail (or perhaps, dare I say it......a slightly warped or bumpy board....horrors!! : )) Not that that has ever happened to me................: ) much. Speedball is fine, but be careful to never set the actual roller to rest on any surface, they get flat spots really easily! Hope this helps a little..... Happy Printing! Mary Green Cleveland, OH. ------------------------------ From: Sharri LaPierre Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2003 21:02:53 -0800 Subject: [Baren 23324] Re: Baren Digest V25 #2435 Chris, Someone else may have already answered this, but you asked about the first print being weak. It generally takes the first one or two or ten to get the block "warmed up" and ready to rock and roll. That is why many people do the first few on newsprint, or some lesser paper, until the block is accepting ink the way they want. Especially with the Moku Hanga, it takes the first ten to get the block (and in some cases I'm very familiar with -ahem-) the printmaker working, more or less, flawlessly. :-) Cheerfully, Sharri ------------------------------ From: Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2003 22:33:56 -0800 Subject: [Baren 23325] paper For some of you that have been asking about papers here is a store that has a good collection. Lots of pictures too!!! WWW.ArtPaper.com Take a look-see. Philip ------------------------------ From: "Bea Gold" Date: Sat, 8 Nov 2003 22:23:44 -0800 Subject: [Baren 23326] case for #18 Hi Barbara, I'm still trying to figure out what happened when I ordered the case for #18 - got a confirmation that my Visa was used ( I think). Do you get anything to let you know when something was ordered on the mall? Sorry for the confusion. Bea Gold ------------------------------ End of Baren Digest V25 #2436 *****************************