Printmaking methods for self-published tarot decks

I've been following some of the self-publishing threads, and it seems that most, if not all, self-publish using computer technology. I'm curious as to if anyone has every done or attempted a deck using traditional printmaking techniques - etchings, woodcuts, etc. Looking at some of the old (very old!) fragments of woodblock card sheets, I was thinking that etchings (22 major arcana) on one copper sheet would print up rather quickly (just one color - multiple colors would be time consuming to print or could be hand-colored).

The only downside I can see right now is finding the right paper, although the finished prints could be laminated. Cutting would be fairly simple if one does not object to square corners. Of course, one would need access to the equipment, but even a "low-tech" method like lino blocks or woodcuts would be easily printed at home (I've done it for years - just need a big table!) although not as quickly.

I majored in printmaking for my undergrad degree, and I'm beginning to think that this could actually be a viable method of producing a limited edition "Print Portfolio" in the form of Tarot Cards - an artwork and practical!

Just for interest's sake, several years ago I did have big dreams about producing a Trumps only Tarot deck on genuine vellum with egg tempra paintings and raised gesso gilding, but although I could do it, the problem was the completed cards would not be very practical. One could never "shuffle" the cards without worrying about the gold flaking off, and even if the cards were mounted on a thin acid-free board, they would never be slick enough to shuffle. Laminating genuine vellum is out of the question, so the few cards I made ended up in frames hanging on the wall just like any other artwork!

Has anyone ever tried printmaking for producing a self-published deck? I'd be very interested in your thoughts.

Lizziecat

Er, well, in fact, yes, we have been working on a small run of etched 'cards' (they won't be on card of course - we will use thick paper) though I hadn't planned to say much about it for now. Nothing is definite as yet, and if it all goes ahead I doubt it will be out for six months at the soonest. However, we are working with two specialists rather than doing the actual etching ourselves. We haven't yet decided on the final technique we will use - or the exact paper.

Of course, one downside to etching is that you can only get a very limited number of good prints off the plate. On the other hand, there is also a rather nice side to that too, as it means that the prints are very special and buyers know they are unique.

Please can you tell us more about your project - I'm very interested.

Its something I have toy'd with too but as you say, etching would require the right paper which would not really be card stock unless you plan to do each card onto etching paper (larger than true size) to send to a publisher. Of course you could do some tests on different card to see if they will withstand being dampened and how they print up etc.

Screen print or a stone lithograph would be another nice way to make several decks at once (be your own publisher!) and of course wood/lino cut has been a popular favourite, as you say, since the beginning.

Again - as you say, working with Velum and egg termpra is a laborious process producing beautiful but impractical work, unless, of course, they were the originals for a typically published deck.

Have you thought of monoprinting a complete series? Cheap and easy to set up and you could (if your creative juices are flowing) print off a whole deck in a day!

I started on a watercolour deck (originals to be printed up etc) many years ago and decided that I didn't know enough about the subject - I still have the couple that I started somewhere.

Just a quick thought - photo etching, using a photo-sensitive gel can give some amazing results and of course, the plate can be remade as many times as required from your photographic original.

Yes, this is one of the techniques we've been considering - although we only want to make one set of plates.

We do know one person here who makes engravings by hand - and to a remarkable quality - but doing it that way still has potential drawbacks. For us, and the current project, the important thing will be to retain all detail, and I think photo-etching may be better for that - although work done by hand does have its own particular quality of line.

Anyway, I am not the expert - it's really Alex who could say more - sorry, I am a bit limited in this area!

baba-prague: I consider you and your amazing decks "professional" rather than those like me - one deck wonders!

Wow! an etched deck sounds fantastic! Since I wouldn't be producing at nearly the same level you do, a steel plate or copper plate (chromed) would be more than suitable for a small production run. I work at the university right next door to the printmaking studio so I have access to the equipment for a small studio fee.

My favorite techniques are hardground, drypoint, aquatint and mezzotint (yeah, like I'm going to rock a 20" x 30" plate!). I'll use softground only if someone makes me.

I really don't have a specific project in mind right now, I've just been kicking around some ideas about techniques for self-publishing with the least amount of pain and cost. The biggest cost for printmaking (for me) would be the paper; followed by the copper plate (if that is the method used). The good news is that I could realistically do all the Trumps on one plate. I would probably use copper and the drypoint method because it would give me the "look" I want for the deck (if drawn). I've kicked around a few sketches but nothing solid. I have a few Trumps cards designed on the computer (which is in the shop right now) which would translate quite nicely for prints (photo transfers perhaps?), but this is all in the "idea" stage at the moment.

Milfoil: Thanks for reminding me about monoprints - I haven't done those in ages but one could certainly produce a deck in a day (two if you count the ghost print)! Chin colle would be another quick but effective method. Stone litholography goes very slow for me and I never did connect with screen printing, but a monoprint Tarot would be fascinating.

I've updated my profile to include my "still in progress not much on it" website. I been working with stereo images for a few years, and I have also been trying out a few printed Tarot cards with anaglyph images (phantograms). Probably not very practical, but there is something wild and haunting about having the Tarot imagery "stand up" from the table.

lizziecat said:

baba-prague: I consider you and your amazing decks "professional" rather than those like me - one deck wonders!
.

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Never say never again! Seriously, once you do one deck, it can become a bit addictive...

I'm actually just really glad that this discussion has come up, because I think we too often (not always, I know, various print techniques have been discussed in the past here) tend to assume that print can be done on a desktop printer or at a professional house. I'm certainly very guilty of making that assumption myself.

I'm very enthused to see other possibilities being aired. I don't know if we'll ever do our own etchings - there are many issues that would be dull to talk over here - but I really hope it does happen as these older techniques have a huge amount to offer.

your art techniques are fascinating to hear about

dear lizziecat and babaprague--

i personally think it's fascinating to hear about your art processes, don't worry about it being dull to post here!


sincerely,
serendipity

lizziecat said:

I've updated my profile to include my "still in progress not much on it" website. I been working with stereo images for a few years, and I have also been trying out a few printed Tarot cards with anaglyph images (phantograms). Probably not very practical, but there is something wild and haunting about having the Tarot imagery "stand up" from the table.

Click to expand...

Oh! Goodness, I just wandered over there. Interesting stuff - very, very interesting - I really enjoyed taking a look (and it's way past midnight here and I have no time to look at length- oh well, tomorrow then...). It's fabulous to see something like this that I've never seen before (I mean, I've seen 3D images of course, but not the idea of them being used in this way).

This could be wonderful.

Editied to add - please can you explain a bit more about how you'd do this? We got out our 3D glasses (yes, we have some - what does that say about us I wonder?) and took a look at one of your images. But do you imagine a deck in which you'd use 3D glasses to look at it? Tell us more please!