How to Make Original Greeting Cards with Print Gocco

Finding that perfect greeting card or party invitation can be a hassle. Using Print Gocco, you can design and print professional quality greeting cards right at home-cards that say exactly what you want to who you want on the stock you want. With the holidays just around the corner, this is a great project for the do-it yourselfer who wants to lend their greeting cards that personal, homemade touch.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Complete Print Gocco home printing kit
• Paper or card stock of your choice

1. Create the original design. Using a pen with black carbon-based ink, draw the design on white “non-glossy” paper, leaving a little space around the edges of the paper. You may also print a design created in Photoshop or some other design software program. Note: Most home printers do not use carbon-based ink. If you print your design from your home printer, you must then photocopy it.
2. Begin preparing your master screen by opening the top arm of the Print Gocco. Peel back the protective film on the Print Gocco pad, and position your design face-up on the pad.
3. Load a new screen onto the stage glass, using the tabs on the glass to guide you. Make sure the transparent film side of the screen is facing the stage glass.
4. Carefully load two flash bulbs into the lamp housing.
5. Gently lower the top arm of the Print Gocco without fully closing it, and place the lamp housing securely over the stage glass.
6. When your ready, press down firmly on the top arm of the Print Gocco. The lamp housing will quickly flash, exposing and imprinting your design on your master screen.
7. Remove the lamp housing, being careful not to touch the hot bulbs. Also, open the top arm of the Print Gocco and remove your original design and your master screen.
8. Lift the layer of transparent film on your master screen and apply a thick coat of ink directly to the image. Note: You do not need to spread the ink over the entire screen, only directly over your design or impression on the screen.
9. Replace your inked master screen in the stage glass, again with the transparent film side of the screen facing the glass.
10. Place the paper or card stock of your choosing on the Print Gocco pad.
11. When ready, firmly close the top arm of the Print Gocco, firmly pressing the screen to the paper or card stock, thereby creating your print.
12. Repeat Step 11 with new pieces of paper or card stock to create as many prints as desired.