LESSON 6
M ATCHSTICK PRINTING
STRUCTURE 6.0
OBJECTIVES
6.1
INTRODUCTION
6.2
MATERIAL REQUIRED FOR MAKING THE BLOCKS 6.2.1 MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR PREPARING BLOCKS 6.2.2 MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR PRINTING
6.3
STEPS TO PREPARE A BLOCK
6.4
PRINTING WITH MATCHSTICK BLOCKS
6.5
USES OF MATCHSTICK PRINTING
6.6
LIMITATIONS
6.7
ASSIGNMENTS 6.7.1 CLASS ASSIGNMENTS 6.7.2 HOME ASSIGNMENTS
6.8
SUMMING UP
6.9
TERMINAL QUESTIONS
6.10 GLOSSARY
6. M ATCHSTICK PRINTING In the previous lesson we had learnt that one of the most elementary forms of block is one made from a potato. We saw that designs on a potato block can be made in the following manner: •
By drawing a design on the sliced surface of a potato and then carving out the design.
•
With the help of a stencil.
•
With the help of a cookie cutter.
In this lesson we will learn about another kind of elementary block printing, namely, matchstick printing.
6.0
Objectives After going through this lesson you will be able to
6.1
•
Understand how to use matchsticks to make a simple block.
•
Understand how to print with matchstick blocks.
Introduction
In lesson 5, we learnt how to make printing blocks from potatoes. This is the most elementary form of block. In this lesson we will move further ahead in our exploration of making blocks and learn another technique of making a simple, elementary block, with matchsticks (Fig. 6.1). Matchstick printing is a simple form of printing. It is a stepping stone to block printing. It helps us to learn the basic concept of printing, i.e. how a block is made. It is a very inexpensive method of printing, generally practised as a hobby by children. Once matchstick printing has been mastered, printing with wooden blocks becomes very easy. Fig. 6.1 A printing block made of match sticks
6.2
Materials Required
6.2.1 Materials required for preparing blocks The following materials are required for preparing matchstick blocks: • • • • •
A cardboard sheet to make the base of the block (not very thick). Matchsticks with tip cut A pencil or a sketch pen The design A pair of scissors or a paper cutter
6.2.2 Materials required for printing The following materials are required for printing with the matchstick blocks: • • • •
6.3
A thali or a flat plate A thin foam sheet. Brushes Poster colours or fabric colours
Steps to Prepare a Block The following are the steps to be followed to prepare a matchstick block:
•
Take a cardboard sheet and cut the required size of cardboard piece needed for the design. The final design should have a little space all around it to make printing easier and neater.
•
Draw the design on the cardboard piece.
•
Cut the tips of the matchsticks so that they can be used to make a design.
•
Stick the matchsticks on the lines of the design using glue i.e., Fevicol.
•
To maintain the continuity of the design, keep sticking the matchsticks one after the other, without leaving any gaps.
•
Cover the complete design with matchsticks. Do not use it till the glue (Fevicol) becomes completely dry. (Fig. 6.2).
•
Then apply paint on the matchstick block and press down on the fabric, to print.
Fig. 6.2 Sticking matchsticks with fevicol
Blocks with centre and border can also be made. Folk art and Warli art can also be made with matchstick blocks as they generally have designs that are geometrical or linear in form. By sticking matchsticks in line, either straight or diagonal stripes can also be created. It just shows how well one can play with matchsticks to create interesting designs.
Activity 1. Make a matchstick block as explained above choosing a geometrical design.
6.4
Printing with Matchstick Blocks
•
Matchstick printing can be done on paper or cotton fabric.
•
To print using matchstick blocks, the material being printed should be placed on a flat surface.
•
Printing can be done in two ways. One way is to apply colour on the block. On the same block different colours can also be applied on different parts with a brush.
•
After applying the colour on the block, press the side with the design on the material to be printed.
•
The other way to print is using a foam sheet. Place a small piece of foam on a plate. Put some colour on it and press the design side of the block gently on the surface of foam.
•
Pick up and print on the material (Fig. 6.3).
•
One has to be careful while adopting this method, that the colour does not smudge on the sides of the block and make the printing messy and untidy. In this kind of printing we can use only one colour.
Fig. 6.3 A sample of matchstick printing
Activity 2. Take an 18”x 18” piece of cloth for a cushion cover and do matchstick printing.
6.5
Uses of Matchstick Printing Matchstick printing can be done to make different items like:
•
Wrapping sheets for gifts
•
Decorating greeting cards, envelopes etc.
•
Printing on fabrics can be done to ornament scarves, dupattas, tablemats, cushion and pillow covers, and tablecloths etc.
•
Organdie material looks beautiful when printed in a raw kind of finish with matchstick blocks. It can be used for table cloths, dupattas, curtains, etc.
6.6
Limitations
Though matchstick printing results in simple yet intriguing designs, it has some limitations. •
Matchstick printing poses limitations to design choice. Unlike wooden blocks, designs in case of matchstick blocks are normally limited to simple, straight, geometrical patterns since the matchsticks cannot be cut into curvy shapes, circles or intricate designs with paisleys etc
•
It is not very easy to print using many colours or use any kind of filling blocks.
•
There is no separate block for outline.
•
A block made out of cardboard has limited life when compared with a wooden block.
6.7
Assignments
6.7.1 Class assignment i)
Make ten designs on paper, using two colours. The designs should be geometrical, using straight lines. Size of the design should be 4” X 4”.
ii)
Prepare two blocks choosing any two designs from the ten designs made on paper.
iii)
Print five paper sheets of A4 size, with the help of these blocks using different placements.
6.7.2 Home assignment i)
6.8
Print a handkerchief using the blocks prepared.
Summing Up
Matchstick printing is a simple form of printing. It is also a very inexpensive method of printing. This method is considered as a stepping stone to block printing. Once matchstick printing has been mastered, printing with wooden blocks becomes very easy. Though matchstick printing results in simple yet intriguing designs, it suffers from certain limitations like inadequate choice of designs, limitations of colour and lower block life etc.
6.9
Terminal Questions
1. Explain briefly the process of making a matchstick block. 2. What are the limitations in case of blocks made out of matchsticks?
6.10 Glossary 1. Elementary
Simple and straight forward
2. Warli art
A special kind of drawing art of consisting of geometrical figures originating in ‘Warli’, a place in Maharashtra (India)
3. Continuity
Smooth development or sequence
4. Intriguing
Make interested or curious plot secretly
5. Inadequate choice
Not enough options to choose from