Sunday, 2 March 2008

PG-11 Gocco registration tutorial

I always love tutorials which explain techniques and tools, so with that in mind I thought I'd post this tute, for all those new Gocco converts out there trying to work out how to use the registration features of the PG-11, and for the people trying to work out which machine to buy.
These photos are from my first try at two colour printing. I'd only exposed one screen before this!

In this first photo I have printed the first colour, ruby red for the body of the shoes, and I've exposed and inked up the second colour screen (of a black outline). Clicking in the registration plate I then print an image of my screen on it. (Rumour has it you can remove the blue protective film but I haven't been brave enough yet!)

Once I have the second colour image printed on the registration plate I can slide a printed card beneath the clear plate and try and align it with the second colour. (I'm using misprints so that any mistakes aren't a problem.)

You can see the locking mechanism (the two black knobs below the printing plate) are in the unlocked, down position and I can then move the printing plate (the cushioned platform the prints sit on) around to align the second colour over the first. It is the first colour printed card that moves around to align, not the second colour.
Once I'm happy with the registration I lock these knobs by putting them in the up postion, remove the blue plastic registration plate and start printing.
The photo below shows the final result from my second printing, once I got the hang of it this was such a quick and easy job. These Ruby Slippers cards have been really popular but I have a few left in my Etsy Shop. If anyone has questions, suggestions or corrections just leave a comment below and I'll respond.

17 comments :

  1. Thanks for the tutorial. I've been looking into getting a pg-11. If I do decide on it, this will come in handy.

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  2. Thanks Tina :-) I'm glad I could help give you an idea of it all.

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  3. I love tutorials, too and this is a great one. I am bookmarking it for the day I can upgrade.

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  4. Hi Amantha, thank you for your lovely compliments. I hope you get to upgrade soon - though I think your prints are pretty amazing without all this stuff!

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  5. Lovely, every girl should have a pair!

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  6. At LEAST one pair! Thanks sooziebee :-)

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  7. Thanks so much for this! I just bought the PG-11 and wasn't too sure about the registration...so you ink on the registration plate. Does the ink just wash off? or you use the Gocco cleaner on it??

    thx.

    Melissa

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  8. Thanks Simba, I just wipe it off with a paper kitchen towel. This works for me even if I get distracted and let it dry on there. I still have the blue protective film on mine so I can't talk for the proper surface, I imagine its the same. Does anyone know?

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  9. What an awesome find! I am bookmarking you now... My PG-11 just came TODAY and I am so excited to get started. Can you reuse screens- like save these for another day when you want to make another set? That might be a dumb question, but I'm just getting started... Thanks for the tutorial.

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  10. Hi Krissy,
    Many of us do save screens with the ink still on. They are then stored in the crisper wrapped in plastic (I sit mine in one bag and then seal it in another. When you get them out to reuse you need to wait for the ink to warm up/melt again. It's not always perfect but I find cleaning the screen completely is a messy job and wastes a lot of ink. Have you checked out the Flickr Gocco group? The forum there has great information and advice.

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  11. Hi again. Yes, I joined the Flickr group last night and found many great tips. Can't wait to get started- tonight I will give it a go. Thanks for the response!

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  12. I've been stressing out about registration for my wedding invitations for sooo long! This tutorial is precisely what I needed! Thank you so much for saving me from going into Bridezilla mode :-)

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  13. Hey Nicole,
    Hope the invitations turn out perfectly, being the bride is stressful enough!!

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  14. Hi. I got a PG-11 but it is missing the reg plate. Do you know where to get one? Thanks

    Caroline

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  15. Hi Caroline,
    If I were you I would post a question in the Flickr Gocco group discussion, I'm sure someone near you would know the best place or have a spare: http://www.flickr.com/groups/gocco/discuss/
    either there or Nehoc in Australia, they have an online shop.
    Cheers
    Susie

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  16. I love the look of this machine, it frightens and intrigues me at the same time! I have been 'thinking' about trying gocco, where would I buy such a machine in Australia? Would you recommend this particular type for a beginner? Sorry, one more question, can you print fabric, or only paper?
    Thanks!
    Luisa

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  17. hi! love your tutorial. i just got myself a PG-11 but i'm wondering about the printing plate and how to use it. (the manula isn't very helpful to me) Do i need it to adhere my image to the registration plate? How do i use it? do i remove it when i start printing? would really appreciate your feedback. thanks!

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Thank you for dropping by and commenting :-)