• Paper
• Fabric
• Thread

• Metal
• Screen
• Feathers

• Lace
• Wire
• Masking Tape

• Washers
• Plastics
• Sequins

• Leaves
• Doilies
• Thin Keys

• Sandpaer
• Netting
• Chain

WIRE SECTION OF ROLLING MILL:
Rolling sheet metal through the grooved wire section of the rolls produces a corrugated effect. If the metal is passed through again at a different angle a cross-hatched pattern is achieved. Turned 90 degrees produces a chequered effect.

MASKING TAPE:
Masking tape will provide a textured pattern recessed into the surface of the metal. Lay tape out on a sheet of glass and cut desired shapes with a blade. Because the tape adheres to the metal, there is little movement of the design during the rolling process. Multiple layers can be used to give variety of depths.

PAPER:
Paper provides a wonderful, sharply detailed imprint on well annealed metal. The metal picks up a matte texture from the paper. Where shapes have been cut out, metal will contact metal leaving a shiny pattern in contrast to the paper texture. Shapes can be cut out with a knife, with fine nail scissors or by folding the paper and cutting into the folds (good for an overall repeat pattern). Multiple layers of paper can be used - giving both embossed and recessed designs. A paper pattern can only be used one time. If you wish to repeat a pattern you can photocopy the design and cut out each time. Experiment with different sorts of paper from regular bond, to tissue to heavy watercolour papers.

METAL PATTERNS AND PIERCED DESIGNS:
Metal Shapes: different shapes can be cut out of metal and used to imprint. Cutting into a sheet of metal can produce intricate designs which will emboss the finished piece. Drilled holes will give small raised circles; saw cuts will give fine raised lines. Since saw piercing goes right through the metal pattern, a two sided imprint will work. Wire can be used effectively to create linear intaglio patterns.

HAMMER AND PUNCH TEXTURES:
Designs can be made into a sheet of unannealed metal using punches, coarse files and hammers. This piece of patterned metal can be used for a one sided imprint (making one copy only). Since the pattern is recessed into the pattern plate, the resulting pattern on the finished piece of metal will be embossed (raised above the surface). An old hammer can be engraved or filed with textures. When it is hammered onto to metal it leaves an embossed pattern. These can be used to give added texture to a pattern.

ROLLED PLATE AS PATTERN:
Designs can be imprinted onto a metal sheet which in turn can be used as a pattern. If the original design is recessed, it will produce an embossed pattern which has an interesting quality as it is one step removed from the original process.

ALUMINUM PLATE:
Aluminum plates can be engraved easily with gravers or dental burrs on the flexible shaft. They are good for only one (at the most two) passes. The thicker the aluminum plate the deeper the cuts and the deeper the embossing.

ETCHED PLATE PATTERN:
Brass, bronze, copper and mild steel can be acid etched to create patterns for roller printing. Steel is useful for a plate you may wish to reuse many times. Thick brass and bronze will produce plates that can be reused.

Page 7