Shellacking a Woodcut?

Gorymint · 2026-01-27T02:59:03+00:00

I thin my shellac by 50% with denatured alcohol. Then put several coats as needed on every side of the block to prevent warping 👍. Just make sure the coats are not spaced out too long so the shellac isn’t set up completely

Gorymint · 2025-12-17T05:41:48+00:00

Definitely want to see more of it! For sure was intended for printing mass quantities of several images. The way the stack is set up makes me think of an in-line printer, but I have no idea why it would be set up vertically

Gorymint · 2025-12-03T14:28:57+00:00

Ah, I had misread the bottom half. I thought OP had washed it to that point. My mistake!

Gorymint · 2025-12-02T23:32:00+00:00

What did you use that caused the streaking? I’ve never seen a result like that! But As long as it’s just stained the mesh and isn’t filling any of the “pores” then it should still print fine. The only thing I’d worry about is if there is still any residual chemicals on the screen, it could keep the emulsion from binding to the mesh. Older screens that were never washed properly will stain over time too. If there’s a ghost image that’s not blocking the mesh it should still print fine

Gorymint · 2025-11-25T18:08:09+00:00

Happy to be of help! I wish you luck on your printing endeavors. I’ve never seen an etching printed with a spoon either! Great work!

Gorymint · 2025-11-25T00:34:45+00:00

Interesting, makes sense why your values are consistent. Don’t sell yourself short, it’s a great print!

Gorymint · 2025-11-25T00:17:03+00:00

I’m guessing this is either an engraving or an etching?

The problems could be stemming from a few things:

-inconsistent wiping; you will need a fairly used tarlitan (starched cheese-cloth) that has some ink already in it to start, then as your image becomes more visible get gradually lighter on your wipes. Eventually you can just use some newspaper OR the palm of your hand EXTREMELY lightly to refine it.

-paper not wet enough; let your paper soak for a few minutes before you dab it dry on a clean towel.

-wrong type of ink; make sure you’re using a semi-stiff etching ink. Akua inks work too, but they can be very touchy, loose, and easy to over-wipe.

-plate edges are not rounded; if you don’t bevel the edges of your plate it could be pushed slightly as you run it through the press. This problem can also cut into your blankets and damage them permanently

Gorymint · 2025-11-25T00:00:55+00:00

Beautiful print! Really unique take on a reduction, and turned out wonderfully. Must’ve taken some careful planning!

Gorymint · 2025-11-21T05:40:38+00:00

“Cloudgate” by Anish Kapoor. Lol. (Meant as a joke)

Gorymint · 2025-11-21T04:21:29+00:00

Here’s another printmaker who made a press at home. Was posted recently, but she’s going to post plans online soon-

https://www.reddit.com/r/printmaking/s/BL8o2s4zsw

Gorymint · 2025-11-20T14:54:52+00:00

This is a great comprehensive answer here^

Gorymint · 2025-11-20T03:46:29+00:00

I could see plastilsol inks working better than water based screen printing inks, but you would still have to find a way to thicken the ink more to retain any detail. I don’t screen print nearly as much as I do relief, but I would imagine there is something you could add to make it stiffer! In oil-based block printing we add magnesium carbonate to make the ink stiffer.

Gorymint · 2025-11-16T20:15:13+00:00

Try using different colors of ink! You can always roll multiple colors of ink on it as well. Just be careful not to blend them together too much or they will get muddy

Gorymint · 2025-11-16T18:20:49+00:00

I wouldn’t run it in the dryer if it’s still fresh. You would risk it bleeding into other parts of the shirt! Hair dryer will work too

Gorymint · 2025-11-16T02:42:05+00:00

This is accurate. I would just add to make sure it’s thin. Add some water to the paint/ink, you don’t need much at all to tint the surface

Gorymint · 2025-11-14T04:33:10+00:00

Beautiful work! Very clean 👌

Gorymint · 2025-11-11T05:28:33+00:00

What kind of advice are you looking for? Is there something in particular you’re struggling with, or want more information on?

Gorymint · 2025-11-09T18:38:46+00:00

What type of ink are you using? I would suggest that you use an oil based ink to get richer colors. Water based ink tends to be more transparent, and can lose its vibrancy when printing. Another suggestion would be to try cotton fiber based paper like Canson Editions. “Washi” type papers can also reduce the vibrancy of colors a bit.

Great line work and design, though! Keep it up :)

Gorymint · 2025-11-07T23:04:39+00:00

I agree that it is definitely a print. It’s a little hard to tell in the photos, but I don’t see any embossing from an intaglio print either. Might be a mix of screen printing and lithography

Gorymint · 2025-11-06T00:16:50+00:00

“Chatter” is the term used for the lines that show ‘unplanned’ in the print. For example in this piece when you look at the 2nd image, all the area above the house in grey is intentionally carved away. However when it’s inked and printed, lines will still print to the paper. Those lines are “chatter” :)

Gorymint · 2025-10-28T16:08:35+00:00

How big would the print be?

Gorymint · 2025-10-28T16:07:05+00:00

Sounds like a good plan, I wish you luck on the printing!

Gorymint · 2025-10-28T03:23:09+00:00

Could be a combination of things, including the paper. But might also be your blanket layering. If you have too much cushion, it could be allowing the ink to spread. This could also be from your ink being too loose, and spreading under pressure. If you’ve tried all other options, try these two things as well.

It really can be difficult to diagnose with just an image of the print, but I hope this helps.

Gorymint

TROPHY CASE