Print, Fold, Cut!

Hosted by The University of Southern Maine’s Kate Cheney Chappell 83 Center for Book Arts

Three Saturday Synchronous Online Workshops with Zoom
October 17, 24, & 31, 2020
9:30 – 11:30 AM Eastern Standard Time
$80 for All Three Workshops, Click Here to Register Online or call (207) 780-5900

Maximum enrollment 15

Course Description:

Over the course of three sessions you will learn a set of at-home techniques and structures for creating engaging artist’s books with little surprises such as storage compartments, peek-through cut outs, and custom patterned paper. In the first session we will learn how to print patterned papers using simple supplies at home. Next, we will explore masu boxes, a folded box structure that can used to create a variety of book objects with storage compartments. And in the last session, we will learn to make a suite of single-page folded book structures and look at how to incorporate cut-outs to take advantage of both sides of the paper. 

Image Below: Workshop Student Artist Book by Emma Betterley-Dow

Supplies you will need:

• bone folder
• scissors
• x-acto knife with blades 
• metal ruler
• cutting surface, such as self-healing mat
• 1 roll of clear packing tape
• glue stick or white glue and small glue brush (optional, but handy)
• 12 sheets regular printer paper (white or colored) for in-workshop demos
• You can complete all techniques using computer paper if needed, but you may also want some additional light to mid-weight, foldable paper for your projects. Look for acid free options if possible. Some suggestions are:
  • Strathmore 400 Series 80lb drawing paper
  • Strathmore 300 Series 70lb drawing paper
  • Canson drawing or lightweight watercolor paper (such as Foundations 90lb watercolor)
  • Canson Mi-Teintes colored drawing paper
• scrap paper
• a few wooden blocks in the 2”x2” to 4”x4” range, such us cut up plywood (If you can’t get wood, cardboard cut into at least 4-5 smaller pieces of the same size will do in a pinch)
• Craft foam (sticky back is nice) https://www.michaels.com/9×12-adhesive-foam-sheet-by-creatology/M10032002.html or https://www.michaels.com/primary-adhesive-foam-sheets-value-pack-by-creatology/10104248.html or https://www.joann.com/sticky-back-6×9-foam-sheet-value-pack-40pc/16281818.html#start=1
• at least one 4-6” soft rubber brayer https://www.dickblick.com/products/speedball-soft-rubber-brayers/ (more, and smaller sizes, are handy if you have them already)
• piece of Plexiglas at least 9×12, a couple would be best, or one larger one
• something for moving ink, such as a palette knife, putty knife, spatula or plastic spoon
• ink:
  • Option 1: Speedball Water Soluble Block Printing Ink in a variety of colors you like and that you can mix together. https://www.dickblick.com/products/speedball-water-soluble-block-printing-inks/ (starter pack would work) – These inks print a little more vibrant than the screen-printing inks, and leave a slightly textured surface that you will need to be careful of when using a bone folder
  • Option 2: Speedball Acrylic Screen Printing Ink in a variety of colors you like and that you can mix together. https://www.dickblick.com/products/speedball-permanent-acrylic-screen-printing-ink/ (starter pack would work, white would be a nice addition) – I like these inks because they dry on the paper with a very, light, smooth finish that folds nicely.
• Paper towels or rags for clean-up
• dish soap, clear hand soap, Simple Green, and/or Windex for clean-up

In addition to these items you will need an internet connection to log-into the class, preferably on a larger screen such as a laptop or iPad (vs. phone) so you can see the demos. Please set up your workstation near your computer/iPad so you can follow along. Access to a sink is helpful for clean-up.