GB2611104A - Block printing registration jig - Google Patents

Abstract

A device, suitable for aligning a printing block and page to be printed on, comprising a lower L-shaped plate 7 permanently attached to an upper L-shaped plate 8, both of which are formed from a rigid material. The upper plate 8 comprises two perpendicular plates 1 and 5 and a hole 4 at the inside of the joint where the plates 1 and 5 meet; and the lower plate 7 comprises two perpendicular plates 2 and 6 and a hole 3 at the inside of the joint where the plates 2 and 6 meet. There is an open side opposite the right-angle defined by the plates 7 and 8 from which a material can be slid against the device. The L-shaped plates 7 and 8 can be formed from a material such as wood, acrylic, or acrylic resin; and a non-slip material can be applied to the underside of the lower L-shaped plate 7.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No G132113873.0 RTM Date -30 June 2022 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: "Perspex (p. 1; claim 5) Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk/ipo Title: Block Printing Registration Jig Field of Invention: The present invention relates to the field of printmaking in an educational setting, in an artist's occupational setting and for use by an amateur printmaker, but not limited to these settings. In particular it relates to the area of block printing using blocks to make one off or multiple print forms.

Background to Invention:

A system is required for accurate registration of Block Printing, not limited to the use of multiple blocks, individual blocks, single colour and multiple colours. Whereby blocks or colours correctly align when one colour is printed on top of another. The main function of this Registration Jig is to facilitate the accurate alignment of coloured ink, but not limited to this material, on finished prints and allows for accurate placement of the print on a particular part of the page. This invention provides a guide for the lino substrate, or its equivalent, and the paper substrate, or its equivalent, in tandem and negates the need to make a jig for the placement of these items separately. This device is made from washable, durable materials and is reusable instead of using a tab system which is in part a consumable throwaway product. In this invention the printed page is not altered or damaged in any way besides being printed on to. Alternatives to this invention are registration tabs which are attached to the page and can cause damage to the finished printed page. This invention replaces the need for a temporary jig designed and made for individual printing runs. Moreover, this replaces the need for a printmaker to design and make their own temporary registration jig and in an educational setting it would negate the need to make multiple temporary jigs in a class setting. With this invention the jig used at the beginning of the printing process can be swapped for another jig because of their standardised design and size, thus negating the need to have individually assigned jigs for individual projects. The primary use for this invention is for A3 and A4 prints but can be scaled using the same design and specifications for any block print and paper size or its equivalent printing material.

Statement of Invention:

In accordance with this invention it will take the form of two right-angled L-shaped flat plates, of differing thicknesses, mounted on top of each other, made from a semi-rigid material like Perspex, Wood, Acrylic, Resin, Actel or Nylon. This base is a thin piece which when placed flat on the table will act as a receiver for the rectangular or square shaped block print which will have ink rolled on it in preparation for making a printed impression of the block.

The second right-angled L-shaped flat thicker plate, made from the same or similar rigid material will be fixed to the first piece permanently and this will act as the receiver for the rectangular or square shaped paper which will be used to capture a printed impression of the block. This invention will also facilitate printing on other substrates but not limited to, for example cardboard, canvas, fabric or lino. The block used to make a print in this situation can be made from but not limited to lino, wood, lino substitute, polymer, or synthetic rubber. Both L-shaped plates will act as a specific guide to position the block and paper in line with each other. There is a non-slip material attached permanently to the base of the [-shape plate, to mitigate against the Registration Jig from moving freely on the worktop surface during printing. The overall design allows for easy separation of the jig from the printed materials.

The advantages to this invention are it will enable the printmaker to use the L-shaped guides to position the printing block and paper in line with each other multiple times during the making of a print. This will ensure accurate registrations and layering of colours and therefore save the printer time and resources by avoiding failed attempts at registration. This registration jig can be switched to an alternate jig of the same invention during the process without loss of alignment and registration offering greater flexibility in an education class setting but not limited to this setting. This benefit is because of the accuracy of each jig made, to the same specifications, and it is manufactured from more durable materials.

This is also advantageous to the printmaker because it is a fully reusable product and negates the need to use 2-pad alignment tabs to ensure correct registration. Since the printing block and the paper do not connect to the jig during the process it makes it easy and fast to lift the print and block together and to continue to the proceeding steps in the printing process; which may require a printing press or burnishing. Other benefits of this invention, but not limited to these, include, it is manufactured in a variety of sizes catering for small and large print formats. This makes it easy to transport for individual printers and student printers. It has a hole provided to facilitate hanging and storage, particularly when using multiples of this invention in an educational setting. It also provides adequate alignment of the print on the page, determined by the width of the Jig's lower plate, allowing for adequate and equal borders. This invention version will have instructional markings guiding the user to position the printing block and paper correctly. It is available in a range of colours including transparent, black and white. It can also have a child centered themed decoration overlayed on to the invention.

Introduction to Description of the Drawings:

This invention will be more clearly understood from an embodiment given by way as an example only, with reference to the following drawings where figure 1 shows a 2D drawing of the device. The short side of the L-shape can be switched to suit left or right-hand users. This drawing shows the plan of a version of this invention. The second drawing, figure 2, shows a 3D view of this version of the invention and it depicts the wide L-shape plate and the narrow L-shape plate. The third drawing, figure 3, shows an elevation along the long side of this version of the invention showing the two plates as they meet and are fixed together.

Detailed Description:

Referring now to the drawings of a version of this invention, in particular figure 1 has sides which correspond to the paper type and printing block type being used, but is not limited to this. Figure 1(8) shows a narrow top L-shape plate that provides a stop for the paper. Figure 1 (7) is the bottom L-shape plate wider in nature which facilitates an adequate border for the finished print and centers the print on a matching size page. Figure 1 (3) indicates a hole to ensure the accurate placement of the lino or similar printing block material used. Figure 1 (4) shows a hole for the accurate placement of the paper or similar replacement material to receive the printed impression from the block. Figure 1 (1&5) represents the edge of the L-shaped top plate of rigid material which positions the page and acts as a guide. Figure 1 (2&6) represents the L-shaped rigid material which shows the position of the lino or its equivalent material to act as a printing block. This area acts as a guide and its height can range from lmm to 10 mm depending on the version of this invention. This drawing shows the hole for hanging on the long side (lower plate) that can alternate depending on the version of this invention. The outer corners are cut at an angle but are also right angled in another version of this invention which is cosmetic in nature. It is designed to operate on a flat surface like a table or worktop, but not limited to these surfaces, providing it is flat. In this version depicted in figures 1,2 and 3 it is made to receive a rectangular A3 page (dimensions 297mm x 420 mm), or its equivalent substitute material of this dimension. This invention and other versions are designed to fit a range of paper sizes from Al to A4 and all other paper sizes outside of this range including irregular paper sizes.

Figure 2, shows a 3D view of this version of the invention and it depicts the wide L-shape plate and the narrow L-shape plate showing its edges that provide the stop and guides for both the lino and paper in this version but not limited to these materials in its use and applications.

Figure 3, shows an elevation along the long side of this version of the invention showing the L-shaped top plate (1 b) and L-shaped base plate (2b) as they meet and are fixed together.

Claims (1)

1. Claims: 1.This invention provides for the alignment of both a printing block and page for the purpose of printing whilst providing a designated position for the printing block and a page in tandem,6 making it possible to accurately print one or multiple layers repeatedly onto a specific location on a page.The upper L-shaped plate provides a designated position for the paper of an individual print or multiple prints for reduction block printing or multiblock printing but not limited to these. AndThe lower L-shaped plate, fixed permanently and spaced onto the upper plate, provides a designated position for the printing block. 2.As claimed in claim 1, the side of the rigid material which in this embodiment is acrylic, on both the top and bottom plates provide a stepped, stopping function for the paper and printing block respectively. 3.As claimed in claim 1, the overall [-shape of the invention provides an open side allowing the printing block and paper to be removed easily with minimum contact to the L-shape device. 4.As claimed in claim 1, the underside of the base of the invention will have a non-slip material attached permanently.As claimed in claim 1, in this embodiment, both the top and bottom L-plate will have a hole cut on the 90-degree angle to assist placement of printing materials and a third hole cut for the storage of the device.