By Kathyanne White

Today I received 60 – 21″ x 25″ printers plates to digitally print.  My alternative surfaces keep me wondering what if and thinking of what I can do with these beautiful printer plates is inspiring.  I have ideas on metal manipulation that will take a bit of trial and error, involve a torch and a bit of luck.  Then the results will be sanded, pre coated and digitally printed.  My ending vision includes layers of the metal and stuff in between.  What I can’t tell you is exactly what I mean because it is the process that will unfold this ending vision.  I have tons on my plate (no pun intended), but I will be getting one of these plates sanded  and getting ready to print tomorrow. Just have to run it through my printer so I can appreciate the print leaving the printer.   The torch and layers will have to wait until some of my deadlines have been met, but I can dream!

Here are some items that have been created with digitally printed plates.

This composition is a page in Forest Book 2 and is 12″ x 10″  All the printed pieces seen are on printers plates.  They are assembled with pieces of waxed linen drawn through punched holes and secured with knots and beads.  Other materials are copper wire and copper mesh.

This is the same box-3 views- digitally printed printer plate- cut-assembled with wire and beads to make the box and embellish it.

 A quick tutorial on how to prepare metal for digital printing is posted on Digital Alternative Studio.