Paper choice is critical for embossing and collagraph prints. Typically, heavier paper holds a stronger embossment, and the more evenly it will lie in drying. A thin paper tears easily as it is stretched to accommodate the embossment. Both Arches Cover and Murillo will retain good medium-depth embossments. Properly dampened hot and cold-pressed papers will hold a quality embossment.
(1) Try running the press with light pressure.
(2) Add a thin felt blanket and run it through again.
Collagraph Plate/Jessica Watkins
(Above) Pictured is the actual collagraph plate after several prints. In this case the plate became the such a strong image it was selected as a purchase award.
[Collagraph Embossing/Sherilyn Troyer]
(Above) This is a strong example of a collagraph embossing.
[Collagraph Print/Althea]
(Above) Collagraph print with one color.
[Collagraph Print/Wilson]
(Above) Collagraph print with multiple ink colors.
[Collagraph print with found objects /Rachel Edwards]
(Above) Limiting color often allows more texture to show through.
[Collagraph Print/Noelle Fink]
(Above) Collagraph print using the acrylic spray paint method.
[Collagraph Print/Michelle Ritschard]
(Above) Collagraph print using the acrylic spray paint method.
[Collagraph Print/Emilee Hunt]
(Above Left) Collagraph print using the acrylic spray paint method.
[Collagraph Print/C. Southhall]
(Above) Collagraph print using the acrylic spray paint method.