Speedball® Akua™ Carborundum Gel Medium for Platemaking - 8-oz. (237 ml) Jar

Gel is used to create collagraph printmaking plates. This ready-to-use platemaking gel offers a reliable medium that delivers fine, sharp detail and a uniquely textured surface that yields rich, velvety areas of color.

What is Carborundum Print/Platemaking?

Carborundum printmaking is a collagraph process in which the image is created directly on the plate by applying an abrasive grit (carborundum) mixed with an acrylic medium or glue. Once dried, it forms areas of texture or line which is then inked intaglio, relief, or both. Additionally, artists have plenty of room to incorporate monotype, additional stenciling, and other printmaking techniques to stretch their vision beyond the carborundum gel matrix. The plate is printed with an etching press in the same manner as other printmaking plates. Since the carborundum mixture is built up on the plate, the paper embosses when going through the press, creating a rich, dense surface. The plates can be printed many times. Printmakers have been experimenting with methods for making carborundum prints for decades. This gel improves results by offering a formulation that is consistent and reliable. The gel is performance tested, so printmakers can rely on the consistency of this platemaking medium from start to finish, ensuring strong and vivid prints each and every time.

Applications and Techniques

There are numerous ways for using the carborundum gel to produce carborundum plates. Three approaches include light field, dark field, and stencil methods.

Light Field: An additive method in which the image is created by applying the carborundum gel directly on the printmaking plate. Brush, roll, squeegee, etc. the gel onto the plate to yield a variety of unique marks and textures. Full strength straight from the jar will yield rich, dense color. Slight modification with water can be used to achieve varied wash effects.

Dark Field: A subtractive method in which carborundum gel is applied over the entire printmaking plate, and the image is created by removing the medium with various tools. The plate is created by squeegeeing the gel through 110 silk screen mesh onto the plate, covering the entire surface. After the gel is applied to the plate, it will remain workable in a wet state for approximately 30 minutes. Tools such as cotton swabs, pieces of cardboard, etc. are used to remove the gel while wet to create the image on the plate. Thereafter, the plate is still workable for an unlimited time with the use of hard-edged wooden tools.

Stencil/Silk Screen: Plates are created by squeegeeing the carborundum gel through the silk screen mesh or stencil onto your plate. Any kind of stencil can be used.