Studio blog: TetraPak drypoint printmaking
Over Easter I had some time to work on some artwork of my own. I’ve done drypoint printmaking on plastic sheets, but wanted to try out this intaglio method using TetraPak food / drink cartons. I don’t generally buy anything in cartons, so I had to wait until one came my way.
To use a carton, open it out, make sure it’s thoroughly clean, and etch into the plasticy foil that is on the inside of the carton. I worked on three different prints, a jug, a bunch of snowdrops and a crab apple blossom. If you would like areas of dark tone, then you can rip off the foil in these areas – see the jug etching below.
Once the etching is complete, cover the plate completely in ink. I used a scrap of cardboard to apply the ink and push it into the lines. I then buffed the ink off the surface of the plate using scrim and then newsprint. The ink will stay in the etched areas.
I had bought some intaglio ink to use with these prints, but I didn’t enjoy using it, so I went back to my trusty relief printing ink instead, and I was really pleased with the results.
I printed using damp paper and ran the plate and paper through my Sizzix Big Shot Plus machine to take the prints. I used a watercolour paper by Fabriano, I think it’s around 200gsm, but as it was on sale it didn’t have any details with it!
I really enjoyed this method of creating drypoint printing plates. It was easier on the hands than the plastic plates for a start, but I also liked the character that the TetraPaks gave the prints. Tearing away the foil created dark tones, which in themselves have a variation in the marks. The creases of the packaging also create texture, which can be incorporated into your design. I think the effect of this really shines out in the jug print, as the creases and variation in the torn away area create the effect of a panelled wall behind the jug – an almost effortless effect!
This way of printmaking will definitely be my preferred drypoint method in the future, I am having so much fun with it. Now I will have to buy more goods in cartons!
If you would like to come along to the studio and play with this technique, find out more on my TetraPak drypoint printmaking workshop page.
