Prepare paper for Gelatin Printing

©linda germain 2012 tape edges for gelatin printmaking

Yesterday, I taped the edged of 8″ x 10″ paper, with regular masking tape and then set out to make a series of gelatin prints.  Today when I peeled the tape off it lifted off tiny bits of paper from the edge of the print.  Bummer.

I can still use the prints.  I will have to cut them or mat them. My goal here was to end up with finished prints that I don’t have to mat or other wise fuss with.  So I went to the Home Depot and got some Scotch Blue painters tape for delicate surface #2080.

I think one roll should do about 60 prints, so I won’t complain about the price.  I started thinking about how with traditional printmaking there are several steps that often go into preparing the paper for printing – tearing, soaking and blotting are a few that I can think of.

©linda germain 2012 gelatin plate  prints with taped edges
©linda germain 2012 gelatin print with masking stencils and stamping marks
You can see the series of prints that I did today, with the tape still on and one without just above.  The bridge is another masking stencil that I cut from a photograph.  The low adhesion tape worked great.

Of course you don’t have to tape the edges of your paper for gelatin printmaking, but I like this option of having a nice clean edge and a print that is standard size that I can just pop into a frame or mat.

Happy Printing.

7 thoughts on “Prepare paper for Gelatin Printing”

  1. Linda:
    Great stuff, sharp edges! I’ve been using template frames made out of paper – often with a second layer of paper pasted on the edge to make it stronger. Then I lay it over the inked plate, line up the printed paper to a registration line. It too makes a nice sharp edge on the print. Also helps me to size the images for the mat. Love the tough power people!

    Mark E in Madison, WI

  2. Hello Linda,
    I use cheep masking tape for clean borders on all of my prints, never have a problem with paper pick up. A few years ago I read an art blog where someone gave a tip for removing tape. When ready to remove simply warm the tape with a blow dryer then slowly peel off. Works like a charm!

    Catherine Griffin

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