Printmaking: Paper Lithography

Also known as Xerox Transfer, Gum Arabic Transfer, Xerox Lithography

Paper lithography is a printmaking process that permits you to transfer imagery from a laser photocopy or a drawing made with lithographic pencil on paper to another surface. The image acts as your plate and is treated with gum arabic and water. As in stone lithography, it works based off the principle that water and oil will repel each other. The oily ink adheres to the toner or grease marker, while the wet paper repels it.

Very carefully with a brayer to avoid tearing the surface, ink is layered on the treated planographic image which now acts as your ‘paper plate’. Your ‘paper plate’ is then applied to your surface of choice: paper, fabric, 3d objects, plexiglass or linoleum to name a few. Pressure from a etching press or rubbing the back of the wet paper carefully will transfer your image to the new surface.

This technique is versatile in that it can be used to create a print in and of itself or combined with other printmaking techniques to create multilayered images. It opens up new ways for an artist to investigate using their photography, digital imagery or drawings to a multitude of surfaces. There are a number of great youtube videos that explain the process in detail. You will find a link at the end of this blog for a video that I created several years ago. All of the videos on youtube basically use the same supplies but watching a number of different ones will aid you in determining which procedure might best suit your needs. High contrast images and tonal prints render very different effects and may require slightly different approaches, so experimenting is the key. Fortunately, it is not an expensive process and lends itself well to experimentation.

Working in an open studio, you have the benefit of learning from your fellow artists, among other things. The artists that I have had the pleasure of printing with have also experimented and discovered additional tips for paper lithography that I was not aware of when I made my video. While each individual might approach the process a little differently, we have found the following tips to be helpful in achieving success.

The ink’s viscosity is critical. Too tacky and it will rip your paper. To oily and it will leave a lot of scum on your print which is difficult to remove. Use etching ink if possible.

Add a small amount of citric acid to your water. Approximately 1 to 2 tablespoons in 4 cups of water.

Laser prints are extremely delicate once they are wet. Clean your brayer on newsprint in between applications of ink. Watch for fibers from the paper plate in your ink and discard it.

Work quickly and don’t let you paper dry out, especially on warm dry days.

When applying ink, work from the center out on your paper plate. Do not roll the brayer back and forth as the paper plate may roll up around the brayer.

The first application of ink you can press fairly hard but as you continue lighten up with the brayer. The paper stretches fairly easily and can bubble.

Fine lines are difficult to maintain but a very light dusting of baby powder with a foam brush prior to treating the paper with gum arabic can help.

If you are doing a multilayered image,(see example of high contrast mixed media print), you should tear the white edges around the image you are floating or you will see a straight edge around it in your print.

All laser photocopiers and toners are not equal. Experiment with different copy machines from different sources to see which works the best for you.

If you see your paper plate is starting to bubble in spots when inking, do not roll the brayer over it. It will more then likely rip.

Heat set your laser copies if possible for 10 to 15 minutes at approximately 200o to 225o ,if you have access to a hot-plate. I have tried using a hot iron, but I would advise against that. I have sandwiched the copy between paper and applied a hot iron to it. The toner tends to lift off.

I hope you find this information helpful. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at www.tlnskinner@gmail.com. My paper lithograph video can be found on youtube under paper lithography: printhappy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeSdwLA4PCY