Kitchen Lithography: Hand Printing at Home: From Buttons and Bags to Postcards and Pillowcases

by Laura Sofie Hantke, Lucas Grassmann

When printmakers Laura Sofie Hantke and Lucas Grassmann graduated from university, they found themselves without the luxury of a professional print studio. In their search for an easy technique they could implement in their own home, they came across French artist émilie Aizier-Brouard's ingenious Kitchen Lithography, which uses aluminum foil, cola, and oil-based crayons as its main materials, and quickly became ardent fans of and experts in the process, which is eco-friendly, inexpensive, and easy to do. In this book, the first on the subject, they share what they've learned through a process of trial and error in an easy-to-follow guide on turning your kitchen into a creative studio. Hand print your own buttons, bags, pillowcases, posters, cards, T-shirts, and labels using simple household ingredients with surprising and bold results.

Genres: Art, Crafts, Nonfiction

120 pages, Paperback

Published October 3, 2017

Reviews

[Regina · Rating 2 out of 5]

With a can of cola and some tin foil, you can do hand printing at home. The technique is interesting, but I can't imagine the mess the cascading soda would make. I'd rather use potatoes or apples to do hand prints, the way my father showed me when I was a child.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was wonderful and I'm so glad it was published! I haven't tried any of the methods yet, but I'm so excited to experiment and try them out! Printmaking is one of my favorite art methods and I'm so happy that I can print in my own kitchen or bathroom. I've been wanting to print for so long, but finding and paying to use a press was tedious. This book shows the steps and explains each process pretty simply. I also enjoyed the little tips with every process. Before each process it lists the materials you need and for some of them it tells you what it is and where you can get it.

I recommend this book to all artists and people wanting to experiment with printmaking!

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Borrowed from library.

I had heard of this book, vague recollections. Since I have been playing with printing with a pasta machine (etching) I thought I would check out this process as well. The lithography method they describe would work just fine, but it feels so much more involved, including using cola and aluminum foil-- less an eco-wise process in other words. But the reason to do it is similar to 'the original' processes-- line quality, drawing ability, etc... Worth a gander if you are itching to practice some lithography.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't think the book layout was completely successful. I think I could figure it out if I chose to, but a little more in-depth instruction/pictures could have been helpful. And I'm sorry, but I don't know what non art student would 'probably have most of these materials on hand.'
I loved the flower prints they did and I liked how they had a little trouble-shooting/ways-we-messed-up-and-fixed-it part. I've always loved print making; maybe I'll try something like this at some point in the future.

[Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked what the authors were trying to do design and layout wise, but it lent to the book feeling disjointed and I had a hard time connecting the directions with the illustrated images (some photographs might have been helpful, even if just in the back so not to kill the sketchy hand drawn vibe). It introduced me to some potentially useful techniques but in not the most successful way.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a really interesting design. The instructions for print making are largely on half sheets of paper, tucked between illustrations of the techniques. It seems easy enough to follow, and as a person who reads a ton of crafting books without following through, reading this made me think that I might try some of the projects. Depending on whether I do that or not, my rating might change.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book itself is well-designed and interesting. The technique is simply one technique with some interesting troubleshooting and problem solving. For such a short book and a singular technical approach I think I would have appreciated a bit more detail in some of the steps. In the end two stars (It was ok), but it was worth the quick thumb-through.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This title gives step by step instructions to create your own prints at home. It includes simple instructions and troubleshooting tips to create your own prints using aluminum foil, cola, soap and vegetable oil. It also includes and array examples to pique your interest.

[Savannah Elmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cool, and beautifully put together book I grabbed at my local library on a whim. I appreciated that it was a step by step instructional! I have dabbed in printmaking a bit and would like to try this method someday soon.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one looked really good. I want to try this art. I didn’t completely understand it all just from reading and I can’t work on it right now as I’m getting ready for Christmas, but when I am ready to give it a try, I would check it out again.

[Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

a very well designed and way-out craft book. do the instructions work for laymen? I have no idea. Anyway, points for style and European realness.

[Mel Luna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautifully designed book. I really look forward to trying out this method for etching foil plates with cola!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book! A strange layout, but innovative!

[Marion Carnegie Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. It tells how you can use household items to create prints. Very cool, and hopefully something we can get to do soon!

[Naomi Smart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cannot wait to try out some ideas in this book and turn my kitchen into a creative studio for Christmas presents.

[Cindy C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I m very inspired by this little book! I cannot wait to try this in my kitchen or bathroom lol

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the designs and hope to try some of their techniques. Inspiration.

[hh · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely worth a read for someone looking for alternative printmaking techniques. I can’t wait to try them out.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Step by step instructions for printmaking using basic household materials. Very informative and well put together book even explains how to fix errors and troubleshoot imperfect prints.

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes a lot of sense considering I took two lithography classes in college. I'll have to try it.

[Janet Moulton]

I can't wait to try the techniques described in this book!