What is a collagraph? The word comes from the French word, collager, to glue. Making a collagraph allows you to be as spontaneous or prescriptive in printmaking as you wish. The results are exciting and often unexpected.

A “plate” is made up from a wide range of materials - glue, gesso, paper, material, carborundum, string etc - applied to mounting card. You can also work into the surface of the card to produce various marks. Thus it is possible to be as versatile and inventive as you like.

The finished card is then sealed, dried and inked up like an etching plate (intaglio method) or like a lino cut (relief method) or you can combine the two methods. It is then put through the etching press with dampened paper.

It is an excellent way of producing a print for both beginner and the more experienced printmaker.

Collagraph by Celia Nancarrow