Why Handmade Printmaking Papers Absorb Ink Differently(Post)
When you pull your first good print, it often catches you off guard how much the paper really matters. Even with a well-prepped plate and well-balanced ink, the result can shift depending on the shee ...
Where to Start When Picking Linocut Supplies for Beginners(Post)
Linocut printing is a hands-on and satisfying printmaking process that many beginners find welcoming. At first glance, the number of tools and materials might feel like a lot. But with the right lino ...
How Kids Craft Supplies Change Spring Activities(Post)
When spring settles in, everything feels lighter. The air is warmer, the days stretch a little longer, and kids seem to have extra energy they need to get out. One of the best ways to channel that re ...
Choosing Relief Printmaking Paper: Weight, Sizing, and Damping Tests(Post)
Get Sharper Relief Prints by Dialling in Your Paper Choice
Paper choice has a bigger impact on relief printing than many people expect. The same carved block can look flat and patchy on one sheet, th ...
What to Know About Buying Printmaking Supplies in Bendigo(Post)
In and around Bendigo, printmaking has found its place in sheds, classrooms, and shared studio spaces. When stocking up for a cold-season session, many artists look close to home for their materials.
Steps to Set Up Your First Relief Printing Workspace(Post)
Starting relief printing at home feels exciting, but if your space isn’t right, it quickly gets messy. A bit of planning in the beginning makes a big difference. A steady setup can help you foc ...
Inside Printmaking Inks: Matching Viscosity to Your Press and Paper(Post)
Get Cleaner Prints by Understanding Ink Viscosity
Printmaking ink can feel tricky. Your plate looks great, you ink carefully, run it through the press, then the print comes out patchy, over-inked, or ...
GSM and poundage anomalies (Post)
GSM and poundage are two different
ways to measure the weight of paper, and they are commonly used in different
parts of the world.GSM stands for grams per square metre,
and it is a metric measure ...
How Graphite Hardness Affects Shading Control(Post)
Graphite pencils often fly under the radar. They are modest, reliable tools that most of us have used since childhood. But hidden inside each one is a mix of clay and graphite that controls more than ...
Do Etching Tools Need Different Pressure in Damp Studios(Post)
As we move through mid-autumn into winter in Central Victoria, the temperature drops and the air gets heavier with moisture. Things start to quieten in the studio a bit, especially in printmaking. Da ...
Why Printmaking Ink Reacts Differently on Cotton vs Wood Pulp Papers(Post)
Printmaking ink can act quite differently depending on the paper used. This becomes especially clear when comparing cotton-based sheets to ones made from wood pulp. The way the ink behaves, how it si ...
Ever wondered what Canvas and Linen weights actually mean?(Post)
Unprimed canvas weight is often given
in ounces because historically, canvas was primarily produced and sold in the
United States, where the imperial system of measurement (ounces, pounds) is
used ...
How to Choose the Right Mesh Count for Screen Printing Art(Post)
Choosing the right mesh count is one of those details in silk screen printing art that can make a big difference. For new artists or seasoned printmakers, it often comes as a surprise how strongly me ...
Relief Printing Paper Prep: How Dampening Affects Ink Transfer and Detail(Post)
Unlock Sharper Relief Prints with Better Paper Prep
Relief printing can feel very unforgiving. You carve carefully, roll out smooth ink, print with care, then lift the paper and see patchy blacks, fu ...
Paper Sizing - what is it all about?(Post)
Sizing in papermaking is a crucial process that influences the paper's performance and characteristics. It involves treating the paper fibres with a variety of substances to control the paper's ...
What Makes Etching Ink Behave Differently on Aluminium Plates(Post)
If you've worked with aluminium plates for etching, you've probably noticed that the ink can behave differently to the way it does on copper or zinc. It can feel unpredictable at times, especially wh ...
How Printmaking Equipment Affects Line Sharpness(Post)
Sharp lines make all the difference in printmaking. Whether it’s drypoint, etching or a linocut that relies on fine detail, the clarity of each pulled line can decide whether a print feels cris ...
Choosing Printmaking Paper for Drypoint Printing(Post)
Drypoint printing has a soft but bold quality coming from the way the burr holds ink and leaves a raised, velvety line on printmaking paper. It is one of the more delicate intaglio techniques, and pa ...
Tips for Mixing Greys Without Using Black Pigments(Post)
Some artists avoid black pigments not because they dislike them, but because they prefer a grey that feels livelier. The kind of grey that holds colour, shifts with the light, and doesn’t settl ...
Why Central Victorian Artists Prefer Heavier Papers for Etching(Post)
Across studios in Central Victoria, heavier sheets tend to rise to the top when it comes to etching. It's not just preference, it's practical. Working with printmaking paper that can hold structure u ...