Pressure printing is an image making method where a backing sheet or flexible plate is positioned behind a press sheet and then run over a certain inked, type high surface. The image thus formed is made from a combination of varying backing sheet pressures and haloing ink. A number of patterns and textures could be achieved via experimentation with materials like lace, tape, cut or torn paper, and fabric among others. The pressure printing technique is frequently utilized over a specific inked solid, but any type-high surface could suffice.
Advantages
The method of pressure printing is extremely useful for the swift creation of an image or shape for any project which wants the final product a little different compared to typical wood or linocut. Both money and time are saved as there is no need to cut a large wood or linoleum block for the image which will be typically used once. The backing sheet and image are same. It means there is no need to draw and also think in reverse. It is possible to achieve perfect registration using this process. Multi-color prints are possible through pressure printing.
Backing sheets
This is a flexible sheet, generally a paper sheet cut to make a negative stencil. It could also be layered with multiple papers or any other material to make a raised or positive plate. Higher contrast can be achieved by a negative plate. A better representational image, however, could be achieved by a positive image. A positive image is best when printing on solid flat color. The process should be done with caution as the printing block could be damaged if the backing sheet gets too thick. The latter could be run directly behind press sheet for tightest registration with maximum contrast.
Extra cautionary measures must be adopted when printing on the wood type or linoleum. This is as the stencil could quickly impress into the surface. In case you create a positive image, it is to be kept in mind that extra thickness effectively increases packing. Problems, if any, can be solved by removing the particular packing amount or lowering press bed. The desired effect can also be had by transferring texture on to the block.
There is no end to the possibilities when it comes to what can be utilized as a backing sheet. Beautiful images can be created by organic materials like leaves and plants. Bold shapes could be made by vinyl stickers or cut paper.
