How to Make Relief Printing
Relief printing refers to the process of creating pictures by pressing canvas or paper onto an inked surface with a raised design. Artists carve the surface beforehand, so certain areas on the canvas or paper remain blank during the printing process. The result is a predominantly black painting that features white designs. Making a relief print is not a difficult task, but it requires special attention, as you have to handle carving tools that can prove dangerous when used recklessly.
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Things You'll Need
- Slab of polymer clay
- Rolling pin
- Carving tools set
- Printing Ink
- Rice paper
- Newspapers
- Latex gloves
Instructions
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Use a rolling pin to roll out a slab of clay. Ensure the slab is at least 1/2 inch thick, so you can carve its surface without cutting through it. Cut out its edges to fit the size of your paper.
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Carve the surface of your clay slab to form the picture's design. Keep in mind that whatever you carve will be reversed when it's printed the paper. For example, a man looking to the left on the clay will be looking to the right on the paper.
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Put the polymer slab in the oven and bake it at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 25 minutes. This way, you harden the clay and solidify your design.
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Lay several sheets of newspaper on the floor and place the hardened clay slab on them. Put on latex gloves and pour printing ink over the carved surface of the clay.
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Place your paper on the inked surface and press it gently to transfer the ink. Keep the paper on the clay surface for about 20 seconds and then remove it carefully. Allow the ink on the paper to dry overnight to complete your relief print.
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Tips & Warnings
Apart from the usual black ink-white paper combination, you can choose different colors of printing ink or construction paper.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images
