Collographs, collograph prints and combined techniques

The collograph is a collage of different materials that are firmly glued to a block made of card or wood. I have used butter muslin, string, sandpaper, corrugated card, scrim, waxed paper and piped glue to give texture to my plates.

To make a print the block is inked, wiped and printed on damp paper.

A print from a plate is made using a star wheel etching press which is made of a flat bed and two rollers, something like the old-fashioned washing machine wringer. The impression created on paper by thus process is called a collograph print.

Collograph plates give a pleasing three-dimensional effect. Embellished prints give the possibility of greater richness of colour and variety.