What Images Work Best for Printing on Tissue Paper?
This seems to be the hardest concept for students to grasp. My guess is because when photographing we rarely shoot images against white backgrounds (unless we are using a white backdrop or a cyclorama wall for commercial purposes.)
But before we start I need to talk about the advantages of printing on tissue paper. I do it so that I can create my own backgrounds. I totally get lost in my backgrounds and create them without any thought as to the image that will be embedded at a later time. Others I’m sure create their backgrounds with the final image in mind. Either way……the reason to print and work with tissue paper is for the background to show through. Plain and simple.
Un-like traditional photo papers, tissue paper doesn’t have any coatings to prevent the ink from wicking and bleeding amongst the paper fibers. That’s why I love it—it adds to the mystique of the image. But it also adds to the hassle of getting it printed. Since there are no coatings the paper will swell with the moisture of the inks and if it’s a highly saturated image the printer heads may rub across the swelled paper and leave trail marks. In the past I have always embraced these marks, but not all students feel the same. (Of course, if you have a professional photo printer where you can set the platen level you are one step ahead of the game.)
When the tissue paper is embedded in the wax, the tissue ‘disappears’ as the wax permeates the paper leaving you with the image against the lovely background you created. An image that has color throughout the entire frame doesn’t work well for embedding in tissue paper. First for the reason that it’s difficult to print a highly saturated image and the second is there is no white space for your background to show through.
As I mentioned earlier when most of us are out shooting we have to shoot the entire scene, which tends to have color. When I’m photographing horses they are always against a backdrop of landscape or barnyard. So I choose to Photoshop out the backgrounds. Others are able to shoot against white backdrops or against clear skies.
Think about the picture below as it was shot (ignoring the fact that it’s not a great shot). There would be no background color to show through other than behind the white horse, and that would look funny and blotchy. Now look at the same image where I have isolated my subject and imagine it against the background above. The horse will now pop out of the background. It’s a totally different image. One that I promise will be done this week.
For more specifics on how to print on tissue paper, go to The Question that I get Asked Most Often.
If you want to dive deeper into this topic, I’ve created an online course sharing everything I know about working with tissue paper and encaustics. For more details click here Embracing Tissue Paper>>.
Would love to hear from you about your successes and failures printing on tissue paper. Leave your comment below.
Be well….be creative,
Does tissue come in sizes larger than 8.5 X 11? Have you ever worked with a large image using tissue? I have an idea for a 20 X 30 project in which I would piece the tissue together, any comments on that, pitfalls, things to be aware of?
Hi Kathleen, yes tissue paper will come in all sorts of sizes….I think last I purchased was 30×40. All my work is large and I have to tile the tissue paper together….sometimes up to 8 tissue prints in a piece. It can be tedious to hide the seams but it can be done. Texture is your friend when tiling pieces together. Good luck.
I love this technique also. I have used various densities of rice paper, experimenting to get the look I want.
This technique also works for adding text or hand drawn elements into the work. Just print or draw your text or whatever onto the tissue paper or rice paper and embed it in the wax just like you would a photo. It adds another element to the finished work.
Thanks for your comment Larry. Yes, this is a great way to add text (or a signature even). Personally, my next task it experiment with a couple of the rice papers that I’ve found. There is always more to explore:)
A couple of “tricks” I’ve found:
To help reduce the bleed on the edges of the subject that is fairly saturated with color, I’ll dial down color density setting for my printer (an Epson 3880);
To help reduce the smears that happen when the print head drags across the wet tissue, I increase the paper thickness and the platen gap settings for my printer.
And, yes, being ok with the unexpected “stuff” that happens when printing on tissue paper or any other non-standard material, is the most important part of all, in my opinion!
Thanks Deb. Great tricks.
This may have been asked and answered. Sorry for the repetition if so. Does Rice Paper work just as well?
Thanks.
Yes. Rice paper would be the same process.
Super interesting and something that I will need to try.
I’m in the market for a printer. Any recommendations for units that will print well on tissue or other fragile papers?
Thanks
Hi Steve, I use a Canon Pixma MG7720 that I bring with me to workshops and an Epson R2880 in my studio. Both work well. I know my students use all sorts of other makes and models. Just make sure that you load archival ink into it. And if you are doing photo transfers make sure it’s not a dye based ink.
Your backgrounds look like they have plenty of texture. I’ve always laid down my tissue prints on a smooth surface. Does it work to place them over texture?
Hi Donna, embedding tissue paper doesn’t work as well over texture as a smooth surface. My backgrounds are actually incredibly smooth before I lay the tissue paper down. Afterwards is when I build up the texture.
I have a handle on printing with tissue paper, but the advice on image selection was much appreciated, since I hadn’t yet thought that part through. Thanks!
Thanks Judy. Yes, it seems to be a block for most students how to choose an image that works best as an embedded tissue.
Fabulous work Clare! Love the isolated horse subject and the tutorial on tissue printing. Have done it done. Will continue to learn to use.
So glad you are continuing to work with the process. You do great work.
I’ve really enjoyed reading your blogs Clare. I’m looking forward to start the class in October and I’d like to try this myself. It sounds like exactly what I want to learn. Very nice, thanks!
You are very welcome Jeannie. Looking forward to having you in class.
Hi,
Thank you for the very useful information on your website. I do a lot of image transfers with laser prints and the more saturated the photo the better. I’ll have to start looking at my less saturated images for some of the encaustic work I want to try. I was wondering if you use an ink jet printer for your tissue paper images or a laser printer? Also, have you ever worked with older, porous wood to build your images on?
Thanks,
Adrienne
Hi Adrienne, so glad you like the website and blog. Personally I use an inkjet printer for all my printing…..it’s what works best for me. And no, I’ve never worked with older woods. I do all my work on 2 inch cradled boards. But it’s certainly worth experimenting with if you have access to older, porous wood.
Hi Clare,
Thanks so much for your quick reply. Your work is beautiful.
Adrienne