1 Mark Pawson's Print More Postcards
NEW-online.co.uk
Go for Gocco
The flashbulb printing sensation makes a comeback
By Susan Beal
Published: September 5th, 2007 | 2:37pm
If you’ve ever been curious about printing with a Gocco — a compact, innovative Japanese system that uses flashbulbs to quickly and cleanly burn reusable screens — there’s never been a better time to get started.
The printers, inks, and supplies have just become widely available after a long wait. Mark Pawson, a Gocco designer in the U.K., organizes an international art project, Print More Postcards, which brings artists together to make limited-edition print runs of their original work. He describes the beginner-friendly Gocco as “the perfect combination of tool and toy.” His advice for new printers: “Play around and experiment, and don't worry about ‘wasting’ a whole pack of screens — that's how you learn!”
Meanwhile, Portland craft artist Cathy Pitters uses her Gocco to print charming vintage-inspired images on her Bossa Nova Baby line of reclaimed sweaters and handmade skirts. “I love how easy it is, and that you don't have to deal with any chemicals or light sensitivity issues like traditional silkscreening,” Pitters says.
Different types of inks are available for printing on paper (oil-based) than on fabric (water-based). But you can use the same basic techniques for each medium, making it ultra-simple to create a whole coordinating collection of your own designs. Just remember that your image should be approximately postcard-sized or smaller and that you need to draw it with a special charcoal pen or use a black-and-white copy so that the image sets correctly. Each screen should yield dozens of crisp, clear prints and careful printing and re-inking can multiply that several times over.
GOCCO RESOURCES
Paper-source.com sells printers, inks, and supplies by mail and in stores.
Savegocco.com lists all kinds of resources for supplies and printing.
eBay.com is always a good source for Goccos, many straight from Japan.
Flickr.com/groups/gocco has tons of inspiring photos and images to check out.
Mpawson.demon.co.uk hosts the Print More Postcards project as well as Pawson’s own designs.
Bossanovababy.com has a gallery of Pitters’ Gocco’ed skirts, shirts, and sweaters.
Mark Pawson photos: Photos by NEW-online.co.uk
Cathy Pitters photo: Photo by Greg Pitters
Issue #35
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