Hacking the Digital Print: Alternative image capture and printmaking processes with a special section on 3D printing

10. Photographic Mixed Media

I’ve long had an interest in combining photographs with other art materials, but it’s been a challenge to do it in a seamless way. One common image transfer process uses acrylic medium as a glue to encapsulate the pigment on a laser print. After allowing it to dry, you wet the paper and then rub. And rub. And rub. Eventually either the paper rubs off the dry medium or your fingers rub off your hands. If all goes well, the image stays on the acrylic medium (at least until the laser pigment fades over time). Not only is this a lot of work but the images are really muted and have bits of paper in them that can’t be fully ...