I have gotten myself a small etching press - Tofko Stutium Micro. It's been on my wish list since I have started to do printmaking, since a lot techniques sort of require an etching press to print properly. I have tried before to print collagraphs for example, and was never able to do so that just by hand.
Now I can also try more techniques that I are not possible in hand-pulled prints - like chine collé and silk aquatints!
It also prints linocuts just fine (and woodcuts possibly although I have't tried that yet), through adjustment of the pressure is necessary. Pressure for drypoints and collagraphs is somewhat similar with this press.
So I have tested it out with a collagraph that I have done years ago but was never able to print by hand (see below). It is a bit on the limit to whats possible to print on this press and therefore some areas look less crisp.
I have also tried chine collé (using tissue paper, which can be ordered here). Unfortunately the chine collé didn't work out so well, I had a lot of problems with the colored parts not stinking to the paper, or stinking to the plate instead of the paper, etc. On top of that it was a mess to try to lay down pieces of paper filled with glue in the right, so I definitely need more practice. If you are curious about trying chine collé this video explains it quite well.
Next I will possibly try a silk aquatint (see this post for guidance on that,if you are interested).
Thanks for stopping by!
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