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Mrs. Penguin Mrs. Penguin, Sacramento Age and Occupation: 26, Video & TV Producer/Director/Editor Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Doctor of Physical Therapy Engagement Date: January 29, 2007 Wedding Date: June 7, 2008 Blogging Since: September 14, 2007 Venue: Winery in the Gold Country About Me: I'm a silly mess of a girl who, above all else in this world, LOVES the Spice Girls. I eat sushi at least 3 times a week, and feel guilty about how much it costs the other 4 days a week. I love designer jeans and cheap accessories. I don't like sweets, but I love the UCLA Bruins!
 
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Mrs. Penguin, Sacramento Age and Occupation: 26, Video & TV Producer/Director/Editor Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Doctor of Physical Therapy Engagement Date: January 29, 2007 Wedding Date: June 7, 2008 Blogging Since: September 14, 2007 Venue: Winery in the Gold Country About Me: I'm a silly mess of a girl who, above all else in this world, LOVES the Spice Girls. I eat sushi at least 3 times a week, and feel guilty about how much it costs the other 4 days a week. I love designer jeans and cheap accessories. I don't like sweets, but I love the UCLA Bruins!
About Mrs. Penguin

Gocco Q & A

January 16th, 2008 @ 11:32 am by Mrs. Penguin

I printed up one part of my newly designed invitation (YES this is my third time redoing them) so I thought I’d take a moment and clear up a few big Gocco questions that people always have.

1. “The paper for my invitations are larger than the print area on my Gocco. Will I be able to print in a larger area than 3.5″x5″?
Yes. I think some people tend to forget that although your paper size may be large, your printing size may not be as large. And even if you’re printing a larger area than 3.5″ by 5″, often times the image can be broken up into pieces and seamlessly stamped together, if you are very meticulous with lining up images. Take for example my invitation, that is 5″x6″ (the cardstock I printed on was actually 5″x7″ but I’ll trim an inch off of one side):

z127966

The print area I used was larger than the Gocco screen, but I printed the invite in several layers. As you can see, the invitation itself takes up approx a 5″x6″ space, but because I printed it in 4 passes using 2 separate screens, I had no problems printing a larger space than the print Gocco screen provided. I forgot to take pictures of the screens themselves, but you can see that the first screen contains both of the “design” elements, and the second screen contains all of the “words”. Using ink blocking, you can keep the different color inks from spreading to other parts of the screen.

z127967

And here are the 4 separate passes I made:

z12796701


2. “If you are printing several layers on top of each other, how do you keep everything lined up perfectly from print to print?”
This should also take care of the question: My design is really too large for the print screen. What do I do?

You’ll have to learn how to line things up perfectly. Many others offer their own tips on how to do this, using graph paper and all kinds of neato methods. Here’s my method, and it works perfectly fine. As you can see, I wanted my “06 07 08″ to line up exactly under the words “on saturday the seventh of june/two thousand and eight”:

z12796702

So, it was imperative that everything lined up (at the very least, you’ll probably want your prints to line up straight with the edges of your paper, even if you aren’t looking to do layered printing, so this is also helpful). Here are the steps:

A) Make a master printout of your final design and cut it out to the exact positioning and size of your card stock. I usually just tape my master printout right onto a piece of cardstock. From this point of reference, this card will be called “BLACK AND WHITE MASTER”:

z127968

B) Trace your black and white master onto a piece of paper larger than your print, then cut a hole out in the center (this is so when you’re printing, your cardstock will stick to the sticky pad, and thus stay in place). The paper with the hole will now be called your “Guide”. Now, lightly tape your black and white master back onto your Guide, so that it’s aligned with the outline you just drew.

z12796801

C) Return to your Gocco machine to burn your screen with your design(s). When burning your master screen, don’t worry about the placement of your designs. Fit as many designs onto your screen as you can to save screens and bulbs. After you’ve flashed your screen, immediately peel off the paper with the black carbon that has stuck to your screen BUT DO NOT INK UP YOUR SCREEN YET.)

Now, the tricky part. Lightly lay down your Black and White Master that’s still taped to your Guide down onto the sticky pad. With the screen still loaded into your Gocco Machine, close the Gocco almost all the way. Now, line up your burned screen (it should be very faint to see, but visible nonetheless) with your black and white master. Once your screen is lined up with your black and white master, squeeze the Gocco so that your Guide sticks to the sticky pad in the exact spot. Open your Gocco, and CAREFULLY un-tape your black and white master from the Guide, leaving that Guide stuck to the sticky pad. You’ll see here why the hole is necessary, otherwise, your print material will slide all over the paper. Confusing to read, I know, but once you get this, you’ll print layers like a pro.

Here you can see me lining up my first print and my third print. For continuity, use the same Guide throughout your whole project. You’ll obviously move it around on your pad (and perhaps cut your hole bigger) but using the same guide ensures you’re using the same form of lineup every time.

z12796802
First print lineup

z127969
Third print lineup. You see how my hole got cut bigger?

E) With your Guide securely in place (I like to tape it down to make sure it’s extra secure) you can now ink up your screen and print. Your print should line up perfectly!

3. “I want to mix my own ink. Any tips?”
First of all, I’m VERY AGAINST mixing my own inks. This is largely due to the fact that I’m a novice in the world of Gocco/Gocco Ink. If the ink color is available that I want, I just buy it…at about $3 a tube, I feel like it saves you the hassle. Here are 3 sources I’ve used with great success (between the 3 of them they have all the inks that are available).

1. Northwood Studios
2. Print Addict
3. Marlene’s Craft and Design

The reasons are simple. If you mix inks without measuring how much you used of each individual color, you can never replicate that exact color. The worst case scenario is if you don’t mix enough ink for your project and have to mix new ink. You’ll get a “funky marbled” look on your print that you probably didn’t want. Also, because you want to avoid mixing inks, you mix WAY TOO MUCH ink than you need. It’s a waste.

But sometimes, the exact color you want, or shade you want is not available. In my case, the light grey I used to print my background text of “&” and “06 07 08″:

z12796601

In these cases, my favorite “less mess” method of mixing is to squeeze the inks you want to mix into a bottom corner of a ziploc sandwich bag. knead with your hands until the ink is mixed. BE SURE TO MIX MORE INK THAN YOU NEED SO YOU DON’T RUN OUT. Finally, just snip off a small tip of the corner of the bag and you have a sort of “piping” device (like frosting a cake!):

z12796602

Feel free to leave questions or your own tips in the comments!

29 Responses to “Gocco Q & A”

1.
sugarlens says:

Miss. Penguin, thanks for all your gocco tips! Your invitation looks really professional and well done!

I am starting to do my first project and have several questions. My printer is still brand new.

1) Do I take off the film off the sticky pad before I start using? Note that my printer is still brand new…

2) When do you use the blue filter? And where exactly do you put it?

3) What kind of cardstock works best? I purchased these:

http://www.paperandmore.com/metallic_cardstock_pearl_107.html

Do you think the ink will stick?

4) As for the original drawing/print, does it have to be printed or drawn on a special kind of paper or any xerox paper would do?

Thanks for answering my questions!

2.
Jessica says:

LOVE your invitation! Your detailed how-to-instructions will sure save brides to be a lot of time!

3.
Missy Jenn says:

Oh I didn’t even think about it….6..7..8! That’s brilliant!

4.
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Miss Cherry Blossom says:

master pp, you are just too awesome! thanks for the tutorial! so when you coming over to help me make mine while i sit there and watch? just kidding! you rock!

5.
erika426 says:

Do you print out your images on a laser printer or copy machine? I feel like the copy machine that I am using has too much carbon because I get blotches in my prints. It is very annoying! Do you know of another reason I may have blotches??

Why did you do your invitations 3 times? You didn’t like the orchard image anymore?

Thanks!

6.
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Mrs. Bee says:

i bow down before thee gocco master.

7.
nancEE says:

lol mrs bee and miss cb.

love the tutorial miss penguin! now i think i may have the courage to open my gocco machine for a 2nd time.

8.
tea says:

thanks for the tutorial and for all the times you’ve goccoed on wbtv. so when i get my gocco [eventually] can i come over so you can show me again how to line things up properly? lol.

9.
Arob311 says:

THANK YOU!! This was one of the most helpful posts ever….I was just freaking out b/c i had spent probably 4 weeks making pocketfolds that were 5 x 7 and then noticed how much smaller the gocco printed…never thought to “stitch” screens together…duh!

10.
Michelle says:

Thanks to the help of Miss Penguin and Mrs. Lemon, this somewhat confusing process to read about was not confusing at all in person while you are doing it. She is right-once you get the hang of it, Goccoing is quite simple. And your shoulders and arms will be tired from all the pressing!

11.
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Mrs. Lemon says:

You rock sistah!

12.
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Miss Cupcake says:

Thank you so much for this! Finally learning how to use my Gocco is on my “to do” list for this weekend, so you can bet I’ll have this tutorial sitting in front of me!

Two questions: will printing a master from a home printer work, or do you need to use a photocopier with carbon?

And… is it best to print on your already cut-to-size piece, or do you find it easier to print on larger sheets and trim later?

13.
Lynn says:

oh my gosh, misspenguin, your invitations look almost (not quite) what I want mine to look like! Can I ask where you got the art on the sides (with the birds?) I’d love to have this look!

14.
bloom says:

Thanks for the awesome tutorial! I try to read the instructions in the English (really, Engrish) manual, but I get all confused. Yours has me less confused :) Maybe I’ll bite the bullet and make my v-day cards this weekend.

btw, you’re crazy for re-doing your invites. but you have that luxury (kudos for starting early!).

15.
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Miss Penguin says:

All questions answered, in order…thanks so much for all the compliments!!!

Sugarlens -
1) Do I take off the film off the sticky pad before I start using? Note that my printer is still brand new…

Yep! Take the film off. you can save the film to re-cover your sticky pad if you like, but its basically just junk. I just lay a piece of paper on top of my sticky pad when I’m done using it. And your sticky pad will eventually become less sticky because the fiber from your paper will come off on your pad (and some ink)…dont worry. use a piece of tape to take off all the paper lint off of your sticky pad and it should work like new (think like a lint roller that you use to get cat hair off of your clothes). Also, you can use some light acetone (nail polish remover) to remove paint off your sticky pad…it will work like new!

2) When do you use the blue filter? And where exactly do you put it?

Use the blue filter every time your master is made from a laser printer or from a xerox machine. Dont use the blue filter if you hand draw your own image with the Riso Carbon Pen (included with your gocco).
The order for using the filter goes like this:
INSERT BLUE FILTER FIRST. INSERT SCREEN NEXT. This means your screen is closest to the sticky pad, and your blue filter is closest to your plastic window. your manual should clear this up.

3) What kind of cardstock works best?

Any cardstock works. I use luxe white paper from Paper Source (the bumpy kind) and people always ask if the bumps give you a bad print. It doesnt. Stardream (shiny paper), flat, luxe, whatever….everything works. I havent found one to be “better” than another.

4) As for the original drawing/print, does it have to be printed or drawn on a special kind of paper or any xerox paper would do?

Plain white paper i assume is the best. I’ve been advised not to use recycled paper though, I assume because there is sometimes residual carbon from the old paper. Use plain white unrecycled paper just to be on the safe side. This is typically what’s loaded in xerox machines anyway.

16.
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Miss Penguin says:

Erika -

1) Do you print out your images on a laser printer or copy machine?

Yep, the problem with the xerox and blotchiness is most likely the fact that there is too much carbon. Be sure to use your blue filter at all times, and when making copies, set the printer to print at its lightest setting.

I used to use xerox (with no problems) but I recently replaced the ink cartridge in my laser printer so now I use laser printed masters.

One thing I did (per my manual’s instructions) to minimize over-carbonness is to use white chalk dust and rub it over my master carbon print before flashing it. Take a piece of chalk and rub it onto a clean white paper until it makes dust. Take a cotton ball and lightly dust some of the chalk dust onto your xerox master before flashing. it helps!!!

2) Why did you do your invitations 3 times? You didn’t like the orchard image anymore?

Yep. I got over the flower print. I’m just indecisive. Its lame. I imagine if I were getting married next year, I’d change my mind like 3 more times. Luckilly, invites have to go out in Mid March!

17.
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Miss Penguin says:

Miss Cupcake:

1) do you need to use a photocopier with carbon?

Yes! Laser printer works too. Thats what I use. My cheapo home printer works just perfectly. Inkjet WILL NOT WORK. Take an inkjet print to kinkos to get a carbon copy.

2) is it best to print on your already cut-to-size piece, or do you find it easier to print on larger sheets and trim later?

Trimming works best for me when the design runs all the way to the edge. If your design fits nicely on your paper without touching any of the edges of your paper, you might as well trim first. Its kind of personal preference :)

18.
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Miss Penguin says:

Lynn - The image is designed by Irene, the awesome chick that designs the weddingbee icons! She sells her images on Istockphoto.com. here’s the link!

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/people_specific_attributes/race/asian_background/1613588_calm_spring_silhouette.php?id=1613588

$5…best investment I’ve made in my wedding thus far. Check out all her other images on istock too, theyre so cute!

http://www.istockphoto.com/user_view.php?id=383586

19.
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Miss Canary says:

NOVICE? None of this is novice. This is a rockin’ Q&A! Now if I could only bear to part with two bulbs…

20.
beckynoel says:

How often do you have to re-ink each section of the screen (how many presses can you get out of one ink before you have to re-ink?)

21.
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Miss Penguin says:

Beckynoel -

Depends on how evenly you ink and how large your print areas are…usually I make it to around 50 prints before a reink. But after that it usually will only go for about 25 prints or so… (because I only reink the areas that need it)

22.
Sue says:

Hi Miss Penguin, would you mind emailing me @ wintersw@aol.com? I wanted to ask you aquestion re: your elements stem holders ;)

Thanks! Sue

23.
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Miss Lovebug says:

I want to be a Gocco girl, dang it!

24.
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Miss Cherry Blossom says:

You are amazing! Will you marry me?

25.
Kristen says:

Your invitations are absolutely gorgeous! You’ve inspired me to get a Print Gocco and make my own too!! Would you be able to e-mail me at kristen.otte@gmail.com? I wanted to get your opinion on the image I’m thinking of printing and if it will work or not. TIA!

26.
all about gocco (and budget breakdown) « an Excited bride. says:

[…] one. I kept reading about references to Gocco (pronounced Go Co) on Weddingbee (Miss Penguin, Mrs. Lemon, and Mrs. Lime just to name a few) and then I happened upon heatherjeany’s store […]

27.
Kelly says:

Thank you so much for this great tutorial. I just ordered my gocco and am anxiously awaiting its arrival.

Do you remember which color the lighter blue ink is? I love that shade.

Also, how were you able to separate the flower image into two layers?

28.
Jason says:

I have a new PG-5 I want to sell. Email me if interested…

29.
You Can Do It, Gocco Can Help! » Weddingbee » The Wedding Blog says:

[…] all I’ve got for now. For more Gocco tips, I would highly recommend Mrs. Penguin’s Q and A and browse Weddingbee Wiki on Gocco. If you have any Gocco question, please comment below and I […]


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