A semester long printmaking unit takes a wide variety of equipment
and supplies. Also, these materials can be somewhat expensive. I recommend
spending time comparing prices and then allowing two weeks for shipping.
I purchased the majority of materials through my school district, McClain’s
Printmaking Supply Company, and Blick Art Supply. I am fortunate that my
school district stocks many of the needed supplies at cost.
spending time comparing prices and then allowing two weeks for shipping.
I purchased the majority of materials through my school district, McClain’s
Printmaking Supply Company, and Blick Art Supply. I am fortunate that my
school district stocks many of the needed supplies at cost.
A printmaking unit allows many options; it took many weeks of reading books
and narrowing down the options. I have decided students will experience:
and narrowing down the options. I have decided students will experience:
- Monoprinting (great for teaching the basics of reversal, registration, rolling
ink, and clean up)
- Scratch Foam (great for learning to use the carving tools and printing in a
series)
- Linoleum (a professional approach that is somewhat easy to learn, but takes
a lifetime to master)
- Wood Carving (Wood carving can be the most expensive of these options,
but I feel it is important for students to at least try this approach.)
Our studio is not equipped for engraving projects, such as intaglio or lithography.
If time allows we will try serigraph toward the end of the semester.
If time allows we will try serigraph toward the end of the semester.
Supply List
Monotype Plates (Plexiglass 9”X12”): I order these from McClain’s. Looking
back, I would choose a smaller plate. The large size is a little cumbersome for
new printmakers. I may revise by cutting a few to smaller sizes.
back, I would choose a smaller plate. The large size is a little cumbersome for
new printmakers. I may revise by cutting a few to smaller sizes.
Scratch Foam: I am excited to use these as our first form of relief printmaking.
Linoleum: At the time McClain’s had the best price on linoleum. I purchased a
3’X6’ roll and will cut them to size. I’ve already cut one block and it was simple
to cut to size with an Xacto knife.
Linoleum: At the time McClain’s had the best price on linoleum. I purchased a
3’X6’ roll and will cut them to size. I’ve already cut one block and it was simple
to cut to size with an Xacto knife.
Shina Plywood: I chose to purchase shina plywood from McClain’s. The prices
were fair and my research concluded that Shina would be a good option for new
printmakers. I purchased a 3’X6’ piece of ¼ inch thick. I plan to cut to size as
needed.
were fair and my research concluded that Shina would be a good option for new
printmakers. I purchased a 3’X6’ piece of ¼ inch thick. I plan to cut to size as
needed.
Brayers: I purchased 4” brayers for each student, along with one 2” brayer for us
to share as needed. Time will tell if I need other sizes as well.
to share as needed. Time will tell if I need other sizes as well.
Barens: My husband made these. I will share the process in a future post.
Speedball Lino Cutter Assortment: I ordered enough of these so that no student
has to share. These cutters will be used for scratch foam and linoleum.
has to share. These cutters will be used for scratch foam and linoleum.
Woodcarving Sets: These are expensive ($52 per set). I order six sets so
students will need to share in groups of two. I will let you know how it goes.
These seemed to be the fairest price for what I hope is a quality set.
students will need to share in groups of two. I will let you know how it goes.
These seemed to be the fairest price for what I hope is a quality set.
Xacto Knife Sets: These will be used for starting lines before carving. They
will also be used for cutting linoleum to size and possibly cutting paper.
will also be used for cutting linoleum to size and possibly cutting paper.
Benchhooks: My husband made these. I will share the process in a future
post.
post.
Acrylic Paints: Acrylics seem to be the best option for monoprinting (I think).
I recommend ordering plenty of black and white so students can create a variety
of values within each color.
I recommend ordering plenty of black and white so students can create a variety
of values within each color.
Water-based Printing Ink: In a classroom atmosphere I decided on water-
based versus oil-based inks. One art teacher recommended I purchase only
primary colors and then students can experiment to create other colors. I
decided to purchase secondary colors as well, since many of my students have
only elementary art experience. I did purchase additional black and white for
creating values within. As the semester goes on and students learn color theory
they will experiment with color creation. A retired art teacher also told me “You
can’t order too much ink. They go through so much ink!”
based versus oil-based inks. One art teacher recommended I purchase only
primary colors and then students can experiment to create other colors. I
decided to purchase secondary colors as well, since many of my students have
only elementary art experience. I did purchase additional black and white for
creating values within. As the semester goes on and students learn color theory
they will experiment with color creation. A retired art teacher also told me “You
can’t order too much ink. They go through so much ink!”
Drying Rack: Drying racks can be incredibly expensive. Hanging prints from
the ceiling isn’t an option in my building. Having different students each day of
the week makes laying prints all over tables not a viable alternative. I spent $258
for this drying rack. I wish the racks were on pivots so they can be lifted, but it
will work.
the ceiling isn’t an option in my building. Having different students each day of
the week makes laying prints all over tables not a viable alternative. I spent $258
for this drying rack. I wish the racks were on pivots so they can be lifted, but it
will work.
Printing Paper: Paper is a complex world full of choices and variance in quality,
color, thickness, and price. I would love to include paper making in our our semester,
but I’m sure we will not be able to fit that into our 17 weeks. So, into the world
of paper purchasing. We will use reams and reams of copy paper for proofs, but
as time goes on students will need to print final editions on quality paper for
display. I found paper to be most reasonably priced in large sheets. After much
comparison, I have so far purchased paper from Blick Art Supply.
color, thickness, and price. I would love to include paper making in our our semester,
but I’m sure we will not be able to fit that into our 17 weeks. So, into the world
of paper purchasing. We will use reams and reams of copy paper for proofs, but
as time goes on students will need to print final editions on quality paper for
display. I found paper to be most reasonably priced in large sheets. After much
comparison, I have so far purchased paper from Blick Art Supply.
- Unryu paper (24” X 39”) -4 Sheets
- Masa Paper (21” X 31”) -15 Sheets
- Printmaking Paper (18” X 24”) -50 Sheets
- Thai Kozo Paper (25” X 37”) -12 Sheets
I will post an update on performance and quality as the semester progresses.
Gloves: At some point I will most likely need disposable gloves for students. I chose Nitrile exam gloves in XS, S, M, and L.