(Part 2) Best products from r/printmaking

A week ago I transferred an illustration to lino by (1)printing it off on a laser printer (inkjet works as well I'm told), then (2) laying it print-side-down on the lino [taping the edges to keep it flat], then (3) using a blender marker, I would saturate one section at a time, burnishing it with the backside of a spoon, until the paper dried from the marker, and (4) repeating until you've transferred the whole image, and peal away the paper. You may have to go over some sections with a fine tipped sharpie afterwards, but it worked better than expected. I would think you could go over this with a lighter coptic marker.

the printmaking bible is a good overall package, also nontoxic intaglio printmaking, if you do intaglio, because, even though it might be a little outdated, you neeeeeeeed not forget how toxic printmaking can be.

https://www.amazon.com/Printmaking-Bible-Complete-Materials-Techniques/dp/0811862283/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505943667&sr=1-1&keywords=printmaking+bible

https://www.amazon.com/Non-Toxic-Intaglio-Printmaking-Keith-Howard/dp/0968354106/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505943608&sr=1-3&keywords=nontoxic+printmaking

I was just about to pick out individual items for you but then I saw this kit

It has everything you need for a solid price! I would also suggest getting a pad of Bristol paper for printing. Not too expensive and it works just fine with the ink.

Thanks! I used maximum density fiber wood and these Power Grip tools: Power Grip Carving Tools, Seven Piece Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0037MI3K2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_nvh7xbZ8J9V4G

after a bit of googling, it's definitely this book: http://www.amazon.com/Traditional-Techniques-Contemporary-Printmaking-Handbooks/dp/0824829913

I've been considering getting a cold laminator like this for the same reason: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cold-Laminator-Laminating-Machine-Lamination/dp/B00D1M3YQQ

There are other kits on amazon by speedball that are like $10 and $20 that will be enough to let you know if you're even interested in things like linocut... They're not precisely linocut, as it's not technically linoleum, but the process is the same. (Though the $10 one doesn't come with any kind of ink.) Otherwise, you can get cheap carving tools and blocks and ink separately, but the kits make it convenient to just get started.

This is the one I use with my students. I'm sure there are "fancier" options out there, but this works fine for my purposes.

Here's 2 which I've used quite a lot:

Linocut for Artists and Designers by Nick Morley

[Screenprinting: The Complete Water-based System by Robert Adam & Carol Robertson]
(https://www.amazon.co.uk/Screenprinting-Complete-Water-based-Robert-Adam/dp/0500511152)

My teacher in Osaka used tube gouache and Yamato rice glue.

When I first started learning. I looked into what other printmakers first started using through their instagrams. A lot used the power grip set before moving on to a pfeil set. I still currently use them with my pfeil sets. They’re decent quality tools for a cheaper price.

Power grip carving tools

Ah, sorry. I use the block printing fabric ink. This one I've used on loads of Tshirts printing by hand.

Ideally you need something like this: http://www.essdee.co/products.aspx?cat=sets

But ordinary knife or "wood carving kit" like this: https://www.amazon.com/Gimars-12-Set-SK5-Vegetables/dp/B01FGZIVD6/ref=zg_bs_8090896011_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=NMAH7T3D173073ENXREP would be ok.

Some tools will need sharpening, but most of what I've used, even cheap ones, were "make one wrong move and cut your finger" sharp from the box.

There are several variables that come into play, but you should be able to get 10-15 quality prints in any case, and maybe more. The two main factors are pressure (required to transfer the ink) and abrasion (from cleaning, etc)

Things that affect longevity would be:

1. greater detail = faster degradation. Unfortunately. You can hand-print on thinner paper, and this will decrease the pressure on fragile lines.
   
2. carving style. If you carve deeply, without a widening base to support the linoleum, it will crumble faster.
   
3. number of runs. The more you wash and scrub your block, the shorter its lifespan will be.
   
   Check out this complete guide to printmaking for pros/cons and how-to's for many types of printmaking.
   
   I can send you some other good resources when I get home..