An easy guide to print making!
In this video tutorial, Fae Kilburn demos various printmaking techniques to create vibrant, abstract prints. This activity is all about experimenting, having fun, and expressing yourself!
The video tutorial is subtitled, BSL interpreted, and Fae audio-visually describes her movements.
This workshop is part of our Reasonable Adjustment project. There will be an exhibition in the city centre in December. Reasonable Adjustment is all about raising awareness of the lives of people who are deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent (DDN). If you want to create a print or zine to be incorporated into an exhibition in December, you must register your interest before 16 November. Please send us an email to peterboroughpresents@neneparktrust.org.uk titled “Reasonable Adjustment Exhibition” and we will send you more information.
You don’t have to be DDN to watch the video and enjoy the tutorial though!
Before you press play…
You will need:
Paper – any paper that you have in the house. Paper for your printer, letters from the bank, tissue paper, watercolour paper, coloured paper, that birthday card you never sent, envelopes, even cardboard… the only paper that may not work as well on is shiny leaflets and flyers that have been coated.
Extra newsprint paper – this is for an extra layer of protection when the print is pressed. If you don’t have this, normal paper will be okay to use instead.
Paint – either acrylics or printing ink work best. Cheap acrylic paint from pound shops or craft shops work just the same as traditional printing inks. If you want to try printing inks: https://www.essdee.co.uk/block-printing-ink/
Materials to “print” – leaves, scraps of fabric, feathers, assorted craft materials… anything you have around the house or garden that can be pressed flat! We don’t recommend using anything precious to you that you can’t wipe clean afterwards, as the items will get paint on them.
A “printing press” – don’t panic if you don’t have a proper press! In the video Fae uses heavy hardback books, and her hands to do the “printing”.
A tray of water – this is to soak the paper you’re printing onto, before you print. Fae explains how long the different papers will need to be soaked before using.
A Roller or a Sponge – in the tutorial Fae shows you how to use a printing roller, but you can use kitchen sponges, make up sponges, jade clothes even. Sponges are better than paintbrushes for getting an even coat of ink on the plate, but you can use paintbrushes too if that’s what you have access to.
A “large inking palette” – a piece of plastic or hard material that can be used to mix and spread the ink or paint onto your tools. In the tutorial Fae uses a piece of Perspex, but you could use an old plastic tub, a notebook cover, an old chopping board, a painting palette… anything you have around the house which is sturdy and won’t absorb the ink.
A “small inking plate” – a piece of plastic or hard material which forms the base of the print transfer. In the tutorial Fae uses Perspex, but you could use plastic tubs or packaging, notebook or folder cover, an old chopping board… anything around the house that is smooth and flat and sturdy. Ideally you want this plate to be the same size as the paper you’re printing onto, or smaller.
Towels – old tea towels or wash towels are perfect.
