Printing a geometric design is a creative process that calls for a combination of artistry, skill, and knowledge. The procedure often covers various stages, from creating the design, preparing the print medium, actual printing, to finishing.
1. Creating the Geometric Design
The initial stage in this process involves creating the geometric design you wish to print. Software like Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, CorelDRAW, and SketchUp are efficient tools with robust functionality to facilitate the designing process.
The geometric design process usually starts by sketching your geometric layout. Focus on creating clean lines and symmetry through the use of perfect circles, squares, triangles, and other geometric shapes. For complex designs, employ lines of symmetry and rotational symmetry to maintain balance and uniformity.
Refine your design focusing on balance, symmetry, line weights, colours, and how they interplay to create a cohesive design. Experiment on various color schemes until you find one that enhances your design.
Always keep the design simple. Intricate designs may be visually appealing, but they could become problematic when it’s time to print, especially if the printer’s resolution isn’t high enough to handle the complexity of the design.
Save your design in a format that your printer can understand, such as .PDF, .EPS, or .AI.
2. Preparing the Print Medium
The next major step involves preparing your chosen print medium.
For paper printing, choose a suitable type: glossy paper for bright, vibrant colors, matte paper for less glare, or cardstock for durability. For fabric printing, wash and iron the fabric, making sure it’s devoid of any starch that could affect the print quality.
For screen printing or lino printing, prepare your print medium by applying your design onto the screen or linoleum block, then carving out the design.
3. Printing the Geometric Design
Printing a geometric design depends on the type of printer and the print medium.
For paper printing, load your chosen paper into the printer’s tray, making sure to adjust the size sliders, so the paper sits correctly. Head to the printer’s settings on your computer, make necessary adjustments i.e., paper size, color or grayscale, print quality, and click ‘Print’.
If you’re using a fabric printer, the process is similar; only the setup might slightly vary. Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for accurate setup.
In the case of screen printing, apply your chosen ink evenly across the surface of your design and smoothly drag squeegee across the design, transferring the ink to your chosen medium. Always wash off the ink immediately after printing to preserve the screen.
For lino printing, apply ink onto your carved lino block using a roller, then press onto your desired medium. Clean the carved lino block immediately after each print to avoid the drying up of ink residues.
4. Finishing (Post-Print Processing)
Post-print processing is essential to enhance the durability and appeal of your printed geometric design.
Paper prints can be enhanced with laminates or coatings, framed, or mounted onto rigid substrates.
Fabric prints require heat setting to make the designs permanent; this can be achieved by ironing the fabric (following the ink manufacturer’s recommended settings) or baking it in an oven if it’s appropriate.
For screen prints or lino prints, consider using a protective clear sealant after the ink has dried.
It’s worth noting that when printing, always start with a test print. This allows you to make ink or design adjustments before creating a final print.
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