After the workshop on embossed books, I was inspired to finish drafting my ‘Declaration of the True West’ poster, which I plan to etch into a steel plate and print in embossed letters with a green or black background ink… Here’s the digital version of it, as I hope it will print onto card at about A2 size (narrower to be a Golden Rectangle shape):

See my other blog if you’re interested in this True West vision… www.thetruewest.org

The actual print will be deckle edged by means of a deep groove on the plate, which tears the damp card during printing – a cool extra function as well as the printing of the background and the embossing – all in one pass of the etching press AKA pastry roller! I use Flint waterbased printing ink.

I had thought I’d do the poster on a wood block, but the size meant it would probably have to be plywood, and steel just seemed better, especially since it can be etched,

whereas the ply would have to be carved – a long job with so many small letters! Unless it was lasered into the wood (or MDF) – that is an option too… some of my book cover plates were lasered into perspex by Engraving Systems of Whangarei when I was up north. Looking for a laser service here in Gisborne…  So, here’s a trial card I did with the green  ink and embossed lettering and a deep groove on the lines to be deckle-edge cut…. also little boxes by the same method.

Anyone interested in a workshop on embossing/etching with wood (or recycled MDF) or steel blocks? contact me! You could make a poster from A3 to over A2 size, embossed etched artwork, greeting card, bookmark, even a box… Exciting possibilities! Oh yes and as with the bookmaking workshop, I can help you design and lay out your work on computer using photoshop and Indesign, and print out for transfer to the block.