You might have seen glimpses of a new printmaking series on Instagram, and I thought I tell you a bit more about it.
![New Collagraph Prints by minu](https://i0.wp.com/minu.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Forest-walker-01-02-scaled-1.jpg?resize=585%2C780&ssl=1)
The printing plates are made using recycled Tetra Paks, and the prints have an aged look – you can almost feel that something old or used is involved. So far, I have managed only a few prints from each plate and the prints all have their individual quirks.
How It’s Done
STEP 1 – First, I open the carton, wash it, and let it dry. Then, I place the design, taking the folds and creases of the carton into account, and cut the plate.
![Collagraph printmaking using Tetra Pak](https://i0.wp.com/minu.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Collagraph-printmaking-using-Tetra-Pak_0000_01-scaled-1.jpg?resize=585%2C780&ssl=1)
STEP 2 – I scratch the design into the surface with an etching needle, or remove the coating completely for extra dark shading.
![Collagraph printmaking using Tetra Pak](https://i0.wp.com/minu.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Collagraph-printmaking-using-Tetra-Pak_0001_02-scaled-1.jpg?resize=585%2C780&ssl=1)
STEP 3 – Once the plate is completed, I ink it like any other intaglio plate and run it through the etching press.
![Collagraph printmaking using Tetra Pak](https://i0.wp.com/minu.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Collagraph-printmaking-using-Tetra-Pak_0002_03-scaled-1.jpg?resize=585%2C780&ssl=1)
![Collagraph printmaking using Tetra Pak](https://i0.wp.com/minu.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Collagraph-printmaking-using-Tetra-Pak_0003_04-scaled-1.jpg?resize=585%2C780&ssl=1)
The grey shading is amazing, but for this series I mix the colours on the plate, and touch-up the prints with coloured pencils to give the design some more vibrance.
![Collagraph printmaking using Tetra Pak](https://i0.wp.com/minu.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Collagraph-printmaking-using-Tetra-Pak_0004_05-scaled-1.jpg?resize=585%2C780&ssl=1)
And that’s how it’s done … or how I do it!
Resources
Watch the great Tetra Pak Etching Movie by The Virtual Art Room on Youtube, or follow the amazing Karen Wicks @iacartroom on Instagram for more tutorials.
More examples, some for sale
You can find a few more examples in my online shop.
More art updates and making videos can be found at @minufreitag on Instagram and TikTok, all follow option can be found here.