The Art of the Print

Photomechanical Printing

Photomechanical printing is a mechanical reproduction of a photo image that is printed in ink, often by a printer's press.  The process, as the name implies, involves generating an image photographically, but printing with ink on paper rather than with photosensitive material.  It can be thought of as an early bridge between the analogue and digital ages.  This process could be completed in numerous ways.  One more common method involves chromated gelatin, which would harden in exposed areas, creating topographical variations to match the tones in the image.  From this, a mould would be created and printing could begin en masse.

Ogawa Kazumasa

In the late 1890s, a Japanese printer by the name of Ogawa Kazumasa pioneered and refined the method through the creation of prints inspired from flowers during the Meiji era.  Born in Saitama to the Matsudaira samurai clan in September 29, 1860, Kazumasa started his studies in English and photography at the age of 15.  In 1882, Kazumasa moved to Boston where he took courses in portrait photography and the dry plate process, and studied collotype printing at the Albert Type Company.  Upon returning to Japan in 1884, Kazumasa opened a photographic studio in Kojimachi.  

Joy at Home

The patterns in the below collection were inspired from the photomechanical prints that Kazumasa had made from images of flowers.  Using graphical applications we adapted the images into patterns that dreamily interwoven onto our fabric canvas and altered hues to conjured the joy of home.  The tones are noticeably warmer, in softer pastel shades.   The resulting patterns can be made in decorative pillows, and throws and even more.  We would love to hear what you think.   

CDA-031 Cherry Blossom on Lilac

​CDA-033 Pink Azalea

CDA-033 Yellow Azalea

CDA-031 Pink Cherry Blossom

CDA-028 Anemone

CDA-034 Golden Mum