Printmaking repeats an image — Art, 7–10 years
A prepared surface can transfer the same design to paper more than once. Art, 7–10 years.
One design, many prints
In printmaking, the artist makes a design on a surface called a block, plate or stamp. Ink goes on the raised or chosen parts, and pressure transfers the design to paper. The surface can often make several prints, so the pictures share the same basic image while each print may have small differences.
Why make a print
Drawing the same picture again and again takes time, and the copies may change a lot. Printmaking grew from the need to share an image with many people, such as a picture, notice or book illustration. It solves this problem by storing the design in a reusable surface, so one prepared image can travel to many sheets.
A potato stamp
Cut a potato in half and draw a simple star on its flat face. Carefully cut away the potato around the star, leaving the star raised. Dab paint on the raised shape, press it firmly onto paper for three seconds, then lift it straight up. Repeat twice more, reapplying paint each time, and compare the three star prints.
The pressure trap
A first print may be pale on one side, so it seems sensible to press harder and harder. That can be reasonable because more pressure often feels like it should make more paint transfer. Too much pressure, however, can spread the paint, squash the edges or move the stamp. Even pressure, enough paint and lifting straight up usually give a clearer print.
Prints in everyday life
Printmaking appears in posters, greeting cards, wrapping paper, fabric designs and book illustrations. A company may print the same logo on many boxes, while an artist may make a small edition of numbered prints. Modern printers use machines rather than hand-pressed blocks, but the basic idea remains: transfer one prepared image repeatedly.
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