Wedding Blog
I’ll save the friendly banter for another post and just dive right in. Here is a simple step-by-step guide to help you with your Gocco. Dumpling is not that great at this whole thing, but the end result was pretty fantastic. If you aren’t a Gocco bride (or groom!), skip the rest of this post and just look at our reception cards!
Make sure to print on your laser printer. Don’t worry about adjusting it for any kind of special settings.
Next, insert the flashbulbs into the yellow top part of the machine. I get all of my supplies from Northwood Studios. There’s talk out there of Gocco supplies going into extinction, so please stock up now, Bees!
Place the lamp back into the machine, with the arrows facing each other.
Make sure your screen is clean. I use the Goccogrrl screen cleaner. See the brown ink on the sticky gray thing? It’s ok if you get that dirty because it dries. Insert the blue filter, then the Gocco screen. The arrows on the screens will tell you which way they go in.
Take your print out from the printer and position it on top of the sticky gray thing. This is where you will also place your cards, so make sure it’s stable and that all print areas are secure.
Close the lid and push down hard! FLASH! Beware of stinky bulbs.
Take the Gocco screen out of the machine and peel back the top layer of film. Don’t remove your laser print out that’s stuck to it yet, because you’ll need to see where to ink-block and where to put the paint. It’s possible to see it without the paper still stuck to the back (I’ve done it just fine), but I recommend making things as easy as possible for yourself when it comes to the Gocco.
Ink blocking is when you take the foamy strips with the sticky on the back and “block” your images and lettering. Even if you were using one color for the whole project, I would still recommend doing this since Gocco supplies are expensive and hard to get these days. Now, if you’re using two colors or more, PLEASE INK BLOCK. You don’t want the pink ink from the middle section running into the letters that are supposed to be white!
So, after ink blocking, put the ink on the screen inside of the foam blocking strips, between the film you peeled back and the screen. If you want white in one section and red in another, it’s cool. They wont run now that you’ve blocked them.
Close the film over the screen. Peel off the laser print-out from the back of your screen and return the screen to the Gocco machine, exactly the same way you put it in there to begin with.The pictures for the next part got deleted on accident. MY BAD. All you do though, is position the paper you bought for your invitations or whatever you’re making on top of the gray sticky pad on the machine, press the top down, and like magic the ink appears on your card.
I’m thinking of rounding the corners with one of those corner-rounding punches. What do you think?
Tips for Gocco Brides:
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What color inks did you use? I was going to use white - but if it doesn’t show up I’m curious what other color I should use.
Thanks
You should wear gloves when handling the bulbs. There are chemicals on the bulbs which is what causes the screens to ‘burn’.
Love ‘em! Definitely round the corners if you have the energy…it’s that one little step that makes a big difference!
Oh wow - I LOVE them! They look like they came from a professional printer.
Regarding Tip #2… Yes, you need the carbon… which is why you CAN use certain ink jet printers. It depends on the BRAND. Hewlett-Packard inkjet ink DOES contain carbon, while Canon does not. So, if you have an HP inkjet, it will transfer perfectly fine for Gocco.
In fact, my HP inkject makes better masters than a laser printer.
Love love love these. I haven’t busted out my Gocco in a little while, but I might make my holiday cards on it.
@Julie: Yes! HP printers are gocco friendly 
(But most people just can’t be convinced!)
@Katie: I used white, and these pics were taken as soon as they came off the machine. An hour later, they faded…but they still look ok. Just press down as hard as you can!
These look wonderful! I’m jealous of your mad Gocco skills. Oh, I wish I had one.
Oh I love these!! What did you search on istock for that image? It would be perfect for my bridal luncheon which I plan on doing the whole baby’s breath thing!
Thanks so much and these turned out amazing, I don’t know if I would round the corners, they look so good as is! Maybe try one and see what you think? My mom always says try it out once, if you don’t like it enough send me that one! haha!
the easiest thing to do (in my opinion) is photocopy your printout (or drawing) if you have access to a xerox.
miss dumpling, i’m wondering if you could help me! it’s not quite time for me to start my invitations, but i really want to gocco them, so i should probably stock up now. BUT, i’ve never used a gocco and i’m completely clueless as what to buy. can you give me a list of the exact things you ordered from northwood studios. i see there are a bunch of screens and stuff, and i’m lost. i would REALLY appreciate your help!
also, how many invitations can you get with one screen? can you keep re-inking the same screen?
THANKS!
Oh, I am seriously impressed! My mom has as gocco, she used to make all kinds of stuff in the 90’s. Maybe I should tell her the oldest married daughter is set to inherit it. I will tell her it is the Japanese way. The gocco is Japanese, therefore, it is the way it must be done. Foolproof logic, right?
@k: It’s actually queen anne’s lace…but sssshhhhh dont tell anyone it’s not baby’s breath!
@JanieLeigh: You’ve got email!
@Ms. Sheffield: I really have no idea….but I imagine its not much better or worse than getting them printed at a factory…good question!@
Mrs. Avocado: You betcha!
Lovely lovely! The Gocco torch has been passed from past bees onto you! You are a master!
Those look amazing! Wonderful job Miss Dumpling! Love the baby’s breath. I just got done gocco-ing my STD’s and I just wanted to add a note or two…even if you ink block, colors can jump from one section to the other-depending on how much ink you put on (I used A LOT) and if you have to pull back the plastic on the screen to re-ink. If this does start to happen you are right Q Tips are a Gocco gals best friend. And the ink will come of your fingers with soap and water even if it dries…underneath your fingernails…well mine are still blue! :o)
What a great tutorial, Dumpling! And I love the way the ink looks on the darker paper — beautiful!
Those are stunning!
They look great! Makes me want to take out my gocco and print something.
I just printed mine, white ink on grey cards and it totally faded 
Still looks great, but yes, not as white as I wished it would have been. You’re look great!
I cannot find that image on istock photo. I searched for QA’SL and couldnt find it =( I love your cards, what colors did you use?
thanks so much for your post! i have been following wedding bee and gocco posts especially for awhile. I have only used my gocco for 1 project and it was a large batch of save the dates for a friend, but I still have problems with the type and ink. often letters like a, e and o end up like litte dots. The holes fill in with ink. yours looks perfect! any suggestions?
Also, did you just line up your paper perfectly so the design hits the edge of the paper, or did you cut them after you gocco’d
Thanks for the help!
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Mrs. Dumpling, Las Vegas
Age and Occupation: 27, Finance
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 34, Real Estate
Engagement Date: March, 2008
Wedding Date: March, 2009
Blogging Since: August 26, 2008
Venue: Catholic church ceremony & golf course reception
About Me: I grew up in the Deep South, and while most people say I have a thick southern accent, I tend to think it only comes out when I need to use it. Living in Las Vegas has definitely been an adventure and Mr. Dumpling and I are loving every minute of it! We are planning a traditional Catholic wedding ceremony and a reception with lots of DIY! We might even get Elvis to show up! I'm a HUGE Beatles fan, love The Office and can't wait to become a Mrs.!
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