I recently experimented with tetrapak printmaking, in search for something that doesn't require toxic chemicals and complicated processing. So far I'm happy with the results... I was even able to avoid using printmaking inks.
In preparing the matrix, it's most similar to collography and drypoint. I just take a clean tetrapak and cut the desired shape, or draw lines with a needle.
For this one, I prepared three layers. It's a small picture because I wanted to create an exlibris for my new
books. I made an edition of 23.
This is the inked matrix. I only used guache paints. They worked surprisingly well, although after a few prints they started to dry at the edges and become more sticky. It was most similar to drying blood. But for this edition they were still good
enough. I think I could
reuse the matrixes after that somehow.
This is the matrix (final one) after being cleaned. It's now ready to be printed. I used damp cloth to remove excess paint around the image. It's not perfect as you can see, but I like the changes and unexpected differences between the copies.
This is first layer printed. I used
spoon to press it. I may buy myself a small press... but a spoon was enough, and sometimes just the palm of my hand.
And these are finished pictures. I added text by hand (using pen ink and a duck feather).
I couldn't get a lot of details with this technique, and also size is limited because tetrapak packages aren't very big... and they have those vertical creases which aren't useful... but I still like it.
What's most important to me, is that it didn't need any etching and I only used
water for cleaning. That's a big difference from traditional printmaking techniques, which use turpentine, nitric acid, carborundum, acetone, kerosene, heavy presses and stone or metal plates (in various combinations). The inks aren't so toxic but cleaning them usually is (only the very desperate use just water and oil;).
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