clematis print

limited edition clematis

I'm really, really pleased with the way this print turned out. I first started drawing it two months ago, returning over and over to change a little something here, another little something there. And then the printing plates have been sitting around for the past two weeks while I finished up other projects. But once I've dampened the paper, it's really a committment to printing the next day.

Dampening the paper the day before softens the fibers and allows for a really deep, crisp impression. Here's how I do it: using a sponge that doesn't shed or come apart, I dampen one sheet of paper. You want the paper to be damp, but not soaked through. It's easiest to see this at an angle in the light. I place one un-dampened sheet on top of the dampened one and repeat -- dampened and not -- til the stack is done. I then wrap the whole bundle in a plastic bag, taking care to smooth out any creases, and then tape it up. I place it under a heavy weight overnight. The next day, the paper is ready to print -- it will feel barely damp at all. I transfer the paper to a plastic lidded container and only take out one sheet at a time to print. This keeps the remaining paper damp. After I finish the first pass on the press (for me this is usually the blind stamp), I place the printed paper in another lidded container to keep it damp for the next run. And so on and so forth... I don't dampen paper for my stationery, but for the limited edition prints I think it is well worth all the time and effort.

The clematis limited edition print is available here or by emailing me at lynn@satsumapress.com.