Gocco Experiment

Some of my recent web journeys led me to discover Gocco, a Japanese silk screen printing machine. I decided that I had to have one of these devices because of all of the really wonderful things people were doing with them. (The Gocco Flickr group has some good examples.) I saw how I could print terrific images, from basic text to very artistic applications.

I ordered a PG6 from Paper Source (more about them below) and started dreaming up designs. I also ordered a book (the New Gocco Guide) to help me understand how to accomplish some of these great possibilities. I planned my first design and prepared photocopies to make screens. I was printing the day it arrived.

My experiment (above) uses parts of the whole design I had envisioned. It gave me a feel for how my idea transitioned to paper. I learned I will need to use more ink to get a solid image and that the inks are not opaque enough to over print and cover the first layer. I'm still really excited about the possibilities and my new toy!

Now,  about the Paper Source - when we were driving back from Canada, we stayed a night in Bellevue, WA, and ate at a restraunt right next door to the Paper Source store. The store is as good as the website - inviting, well-designed, and staffed with super friendly people. I wish we had one closer!

Comments

[Julie K in Taiwan]

Fun! I thought gocco was being discontinued for some reason. Is it messy to work with?

[Brenda Marks]

Hey, Julie : )
I've read that Gocco has saturated the market in Japan and were considering discontinuing in 1999. The machines seem to be gaining in popularity in the US and there are enough people who are still buying and using Gocco that the company is still making them. There has been plenty of speculation about the future, but I decided to go ahead and jump in.

I would say that Gocco is slightly more difficult than acrylic painting in terms of clean up. The process was not messy (inky) at all.

Brenda

[Heather T.]

Nice print! I'm glad you're enjoying the process, too!

[Paula McNamee]

Hi Brenda, Glad to hear you're experimenting with the Gocco. I took a class from Shu Ju Wang the end of June and really liked it. Her website is www.fingerstothebone.com. It's amazing what one can do with this little printer. It's been a long time since we've seen one another. I just discovered you blog. Paula McNamee

[Brenda Marks]

Hey, Paula! I'm jealous that you got to take a class from Shu Ju Wang. I've thoroughly examined her website and see the potential of the Gocco. Glad you found my blog : )
Brenda