thin leather or 'pleather' to print stone lithographs on in the 'Chine-colle' style

[printmaker]

Hello Community,

I am new to your site, thank you for having me. I am an artist, painting and drawing primarily. The last year I have been collaborating with a lithograqph techinian creating mostly stone lithographs. With stone and plate lithographs there is a process called, "Chine-Colle', one can uses Japanese papers or other thin, colored or printed papers instead of colored ink on the whole print or parts.

I would like to use a thin leather or 'pleather' that can be used like the fine thin papers for Chine-Colle. The process is: the paper gets a thin coating of glue like a book making glue 'Jade' glue or spray glue is good. the glue side is placed on the heavy art paper that artists use for prints, then one lays the Japanese paper side on the inked stone or plate, a 'tapan' or extra-large sheet of plexiglass or aluminum lays on top and the whole thing is run through an art printing press. You lift off the protectant metal or plexi then carefully lift off the print paper. Whith Chine-Colle you will see the image of the drawing (from the stone or plate) on the Japanese paper that is now glued to the heavier art paper. It looks like the artist printed the texture of the Japanese paper and color under the usually black in drawing.

I would like to use a thin leather or faux leather instead of Japanese paper for a particular drawing I have completed today. MY subject, a friend who makes truly inspirational leather outfits as a way to support himself through art school.

The leather could be 'toothy' like a suede but not too absorbant. The color has to receed a bit for the black ink drawing to show, especially the nuanced painted parts where I used 'Touche' that gives a light, shaded and tiny spotted look. A dark brown, Hunter green, Red would work, too.

The size must be 16 X 20 inch no smaller and completely even, machine cut.

DOes anyone know of a source for this type of product?

 

Thank you,

 

Print Maker

[LatigoAmigo]

2 hours ago, printmaker said:

The leather could be 'toothy' like a suede but not too absorbant. The color has to receed a bit for the black ink drawing to show, especially the nuanced painted parts where I used 'Touche' that gives a light, shaded and tiny spotted look. A dark brown, Hunter green, Red would work, too.

The size must be 16 X 20 inch no smaller and completely even, machine cut.

DOes anyone know of a source for this type of product?

The closest thing I know of is Bonded Leather which comes in rolls of various "weights" or thicknesses, and lays flat as a pancake. As I understand, it is actual leather that has been recycled. You can find it on Etsy, and from some of the leather suppliers that advertise on this site. Good luck with your project.

[chuck123wapati]

sheepskin parchment is what you want, it has been used for thousands of years. Google it, still being made.

[LatigoAmigo]

@printmaker

Chuck sure knows his materials.

Here is what Google AI has to say about sheepskin parchment:

Printing on sheepskin parchment is a unique process that produces a distinctive, high-quality result, often used for prestigious documents, diplomas, and certificates. It's a more challenging process than printing on paper, requiring skilled printers and specialized techniques like letterpress, lithography, or screen printing. 

Elaboration:

• Traditional Use:

Sheepskin parchment has been used for centuries for important documents like religious texts, legal deeds, and academic diplomas due to its durability, strength, and unique appearance. 

• Printing Techniques:

Letterpress, lithography, and screen printing are all used on parchment. Letterpress relies on raised images to transfer ink onto the paper, while lithography uses flat stones to print images. Screen printing uses a stencil and a mesh to transfer ink. 

• Advantages of Parchment:

Parchment offers a visually bright and clear surface that can enhance the impact of printed text or graphics. Its texture and sheen add a sense of importance and formality, making it suitable for prestigious documents. 

• Challenges of Printing on Parchment:

Printing on parchment is more difficult than on paper and requires a skilled printer. Parchment can be delicate and prone to tearing or buckling, so careful handling and printing techniques are crucial. 

• Modern Usage:

While parchment printing is less common than paper printing, it is still used for special occasions and documents that require a higher level of quality and prestige. 

• Sheepskin vs. Vellum:

Sheepskin parchment is often used for printing, while vellum (typically made from calfskin) is favored for its superior smoothness and durability, according to a blog post on blog.talasonline.com. 

[printmaker]

Thank you all -- sheepskin parchment, will research it from NYC leather shops, thank you so much for your interest in helping source a product will keep you up dated in August when we start printing this partticular drawing.