Mixed Media Printmaking Blog

Simplify to make stencils

stencils / Linda Germain / May 23, 2019

A stencil is a simplified version of another thing or image. Simplified is not always simple to do.

You need to train your eye to see what is important to the essence of the image and then cut out what is not important.

Often if you can choose a silhouette or shadow image to start with then then deciding what is important is a little easier to see.

Then I use a photo copier or photo editing software to get a just black and white image of shapes.

I wanted to focus on the branches and not the landscape part of the photo above. To make a traditional hole stencil, I built little bridges in the design to make the stencil a little more stable.

I copied the design onto Tyvek® and cut it out. This process just requires patience, practice and a sharp blade.

Then I printed this little card.

I could combine the stencil with other images, and collage materials. This is just the beginning.

You know that I love to print with the gelatin plate. So I created a modified style of stencil that works really well with the gelatin plate.

This stencil does not need all the bridges and is attached to the rectangular border for stability. Beatrice Coron uses this kind of connection to the edge in her work. Check out her TED talk video in this blog post.

I can get 2 different styles of print with this one stencil. First is the shaped impression, see it at the very beginning of this post.

And the second impression is this one here that I call the detailed impression, because it gives you the details of the ink left under the stencil.

If you would like to train your eyes and hands to make stencils from your own photos and images join us in an online workshop.

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More about Tyvek® for stencils

masking stencils / Linda Germain / May 17, 2019

First, though I love Tyvek® for making stencils, I have to say that I made stencils for ten years, before I found the beauty of strong and easy to cut Tyvek®.

So you can make stencils from:

drawing paper
coated magazine covers
Yupo paper
Plastic file folders
reinforced envelopes
Mylar and more

Don’t let your lack of access to Tyvek® stop you from making your own unique stencils.

Here’s a little more about Tyvek®.

photo by SAMDOGS

There are many variations of Tyvek®. There are two main divisions paper-like and fabric-like forms. The paper-like form is stiffer and the fabric-like is soft and scrunchy.

The paper-like stuff is better for stencils because it holds it’s shape. But you can use the softer version to make stencils.

Also the texture of the Tyvek® varies, some times this texture is transferred to your print.

Since Tyvek® is not sold in small amounts as an art supply we need to be creative in finding it.

I spoke to a representative at Material Concepts yesterday about the availability of smaller rolls. The excess inventory is changeable. So you can call and ask if they have any small rolls in stock.

I am waiting to receive my JAM paper from Staples – that may be a reasonable amount for $25. You can also find JAM Tyvek® paper at – JamPaper.com and on Amazon.com

Purchased envelopes or recycled envelopes from the USPS is very affordable and a great place to start to try out making stencils from Tyvek®. These envelopes are the stiffer paper like version.

You can get a fabric-like version at the hardware store in the form of protective suit. This is thin, textured and wrinkly but it it still very strong.

My best advice to find recycled Tyvek® is to look to industries that use it and ask if you can have the stuff that they throw away.

Two users that I can think of:

local builders
carpet sellers

Here is a quick video to show you differences in types of Tyvek®.

Look FUN!!!

Join us in a printmaking workshop. Check the current schedule.

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Another day of Tetra Pak Printing

techniques / Linda Germain / May 15, 2019

I spent the day making collagraph/intaglio plates with the Tetra Pak packaging.

Those are the plates above. The inside of the package is sliver and slippery. I drew lines with an etching needle and cut away the sliver layer and pulled it off to get the solid black areas.

I played with discovering the kind of marks that I like. I did print this leaf as a line drawing first and the pulled off the background to make the bold shape print.

I folded the packaging to create the creases in the funky print below.

I am loving the bold shapes and strong black impressions created by removing the sliver layer of the tetra pak.

I used Akua Intaglio inks and Arnhem 1618 printmaking paper.

I reworked the plates as I went along. I could cut the plate or cut away more as I went along.

I cut off the top and bottom of the plate and reoriented the print and it made a big difference. I love learning new approaches and techniques.

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Tetra Pak intaglio prints

techniques / Linda Germain / May 14, 2019

I found a tutorial and another here on Tetra Pak Collograph/Intaglio. I did some more searching online about the process and just had to give it a try.

Tetra Pak is a composite packaging system. I found broth, soups, milks, and juices at the grocery store and even some things at the Dollar Tree store.

So emptied and rinsed the containers and cut them apart. One of the things that I love about these style of prints it that the folds in the package can be part of the print.

I quickly made some line marks with an etching needle and used Akua Intaglio ink to ink the plate.

Above you can see the test prints and marks. To get bold black area, I cut into the silver layer of the package and removed it, leaving soft paper surface that holds a lot of ink.

I used my little Xpress Xcut embossing machine to print the plate. It was a fun process to try. But I was reminded why I prefer to use water based inks and print without a press.

The process is messy, slow and I have to wear gloves and try to be neat.

I think I will try it again, when I have a good image for the process.

See more Tetra Pak Prints by other artists on my Printmaking Inspiration Board on Pinterest.

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5 places to get Tyvek® for making stencils

monotype print / Linda Germain / May 13, 2019

Tyvek® is great for making stencils. So what is it and where can I get some?

It is a brand of flashspun high-density polyethylene fibers, a synthetic material; the name is a registered trademark of the DuPont company, known for their production of chemicals and textiles. Tyvek® is often used as housewrap, a synthetic material used to protect buildings during construction.

I comes in different weights and structures for different uses. Check out the DuPont site for all that info.

You can find Tyvek®:

Construction site dumpster – house wrap. Or if you need a lot check out a hardware store for Tyvek® house wrap.
Staples + Office supplies stores sell Tyvek® envelopes. This is an affordable option if you can buy them in small quantities.
Staples sells – JAM tyvek paper
USPS – Uses Tyvek® envelops for their priority mail service – You could recycle those envelopes.
Material Concepts – is an online seller of Tyvek® and sometimes you can get odd lot rolls – their Excess Inventory for a reasonable price.
Get creative, tell your friends that you need Tyvek® for your art. Look for things that are made with tyvek that you could repurpose.

Be inspired by Beatrice Coron – a paper cutting artist, who uses a lot of Tyvek®.

If you want to learn more about making stencils from Tyvek® and other materials, then join us in the online class, Hand Printed Cards. Class is starting soon.

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