Collagraph Base Plate Choices (A Guide To Substrates)

"What do I use as a base plate for my Collagraphs?" That is the most asked question I get on his channel and so today I cover it.
In this TH-cam video, I delve into the endless possibilities of using different substrates as base plates for creating stunning collagraph prints.
Throughout the video, I share practical tips, techniques, and insights on preparing, designing, and printing collagraphs.
🎬 TIMESTAMPS
0:31 Intoduction
1:17 Sources
7:23 Summary of base plates
12:41 Perspex
14:27 Enviromount
16:00 Tetrapak
18:03 Matt board
18:35 Any cardboard
End Plate discussion
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#collagraphprinting
#printmaking
A collagraph print is a type of printmaking technique where a plate is created by adding various materials and textures to a flat surface. The plate is then inked and pressed onto paper or another suitable printing surface to create a unique print. The term "collagraph" combines the words "collage" and "graph," highlighting the collage-like nature of the plate.

[@kerstenmeijnen9741]

Thank you for sharing this with us!

[@CollagraphPrinting]

You are welcome 🤗

[@wayneparker2593]

So useful and inspirational. Well in!

[@CollagraphPrinting]

Thank you 😊

[@hayjen41]

Really helpful and informative, thank you for sharing.

[@CollagraphPrinting]

You are welcome 🤗 Thank you for watching

[@jekalambert9412]

So helpful! Thank you.

[@CollagraphPrinting]

You are welcome 🤗

[@jarlsoars1150]

Thank you for sharing...super appreciated! John Ross and Clare Romano had written a series of books on different print methods. Of course, their 'The Complete Printmaker' is pretty much a standard book that everyone seems to(or should) have but they did publish one on collagraph specifically. I can't seem to have enough books on the same subject lol.

[@CollagraphPrinting]

That’s really interesting thank you, I always welcome book recommendations, every one will have something different to add! Thank you so much for watching!

[@bobcornelis5514]

Thanks again for a great and very useful overview of collagraph plate options! It’s amazing how much more information can be packed into a short video than many pages in a book offer.
As a printmaker I often find myself wishing I lived in the UK, which seems to be the worlds epicenter for printmaking (why is that??) I’ve looked everywhere for Enviromount and have never found a source outside of the UK. Given the size and weight of the sheets, the shipping costs to the US are almost twice the cost of he product!
Also, there seems to be an audio glitch at a critical point in the video - when you say the max thickness of any collagraph plate, it sounds (to me) as if you’re saying “30 mm”, which isn’t correct, is it? I’m interested in knowing the thickness of he Perspex you use.
Thanks again for these great videos!

[@CollagraphPrinting]

Oh my gosh it’s 3 mm not 30, how did I get my maths so wrong! Thank you for pointing this out Bob!
You must move to UK and join our wonderful world of printmaking 😁

[@michaelbyrd3898]

I have a hint for working on the material you call Perspex. I use a similar clear base for drypoint and realized it became difficult to see the contrast at times. I found a black sheet of card stock or very thin rigid plastic. I could slide it between my drawing and the clear material making the contrast much better. That would enable me to refine my lines and add detail, then pull out the black layer and continue.

[@CollagraphPrinting]

Thank you, that’s very interesting. It’s amazing how innovative one can get to aid with printmaking. Thank you for watching 🤗

[@jdmosaics]

Or print your drawing in reverse in the negative onto black paper…

[@katmcgee9516]

How is enviramount different from matboard and mountboard!

[@CollagraphPrinting]

I Guess you wouldn’t use it for mounting and it has a gloss finish