ENGLISH TASK

ARTICLE

RUBBER SHOE SOLES AS AN ALTERNATIVE

PRINTING REFERENCES FOR GRAPHIC ART TECHNIQUES

By Group 4 :

Bisma Adhitya N 2490444022

Faridz Ghafar Hermawan 2490444034

GRAPHIC ENGINEERING

POLITEKNIK NEGERI MEDIA KREATIF

JAKARTA

2024
 Abstract

Printmaking is known as the most popular printing technique for being creative in producing
works of graphic art. There are several materials that can be used as a printing reference in
this cukil printing technique, including pieces of wood, rubber, and metal. However, these
materials are too commonly used among artisans. In this study, the aim of this study was to
obtain new alternative materials for the printing reference of the cukil technique as a form of
creativity in the exploration of materials and art media. The method used in this study is a
qualitative method with an art creation approach consisting of stages of exploration, design,
and realization of the work. The results of this study are the use of rubber shoe soles as a new
material choice which has several advantages over other materials including: the material is
easy to obtain on the market, the price is cheap, can produce good image details, and is also
easy to apply to the media. The results of this study are expected to be used by graphic artists
and the public who are interested in the field of graphic arts.

Keywords: print, cut, graphic, rubber, shoe sole

1. INTRODUCTION
In this current era, printing technology has developed rapidly with the advent of
digital printing machines supported by the development of computers and the
internet, enabling the production of various printed works quickly, easily, and
accurately. At its inception, printing technology began with the discovery of a
technique using wooden printing blocks, known as woodblock printing or woodcut.
This technique involves carving the printing medium according to a sketch or
concept drawn on the surface of the wood, so that the wood surface is carved to form
the sketch or text that has been previously created. This technique is also called the
carving technique because there is a carving process to produce an image as a
printing reference. It was with this technique that printing began in China and Korea.
After the invention of the woodblock printing technique, several other printing
techniques emerged and were categorized into four types of printing techniques:
relief printing, intaglio printing, lithography, and screen printing. The four printing
techniques or methods are used for commercial printing on an industrial scale as well
as for the creation of graphic art. Graphic art is a branch of fine arts whose creation
process uses printing techniques. Usually, graphic art works are produced on paper.
Although the development of printing technology has advanced rapidly, the manual
woodcut printing technique that first emerged has not been abandoned at all because
it still has the potential to be a relevant printing method, especially for the
development of graphic arts. One of the advantages of this engraving technique can
be seen in its ability to produce visually interesting experiments through the
combination of inks of various colors, resulting in an aesthetic effect that is
distinctive and irreplaceable. Woodcut printing has been practiced by artists around
the world, such as Albrecht Dürer and others. Woodblock printing can be easily done
at home without the need for expensive equipment. Likewise, the printing process is
very simple in principle and does not require heavy tools, such as a press machine or
hand press, so everyone can do it easily. Through the results of the carving, a surface
with higher and lower areas will be produced. The raised areas are then coated with
ink and smoothed out with a roller or other materials before being printed onto paper
or other ink-absorbing materials with pressure to ensure the ink is perfectly
transferred. One of the challenges in the process of creating a printmaking reference
in graphic arts is the creation of images in the form of text, as it requires meticulous
attention to the arrangement of letters in addition to needing to be reverse writing.
 (reverse writing). In reality, the practice of Printmaking (graphic arts) tends to design
an illustration or image, yet the products of this engraving art are capable of
communicating even through images. an image is born from a thinking process as a
representation of communication that tends to be seen as an icon. Although
historically, the woodcut printing technique used wood as the printing base, over
time, other popular media have also been used for making printing bases in the
carving technique, including Harboard, MDF, acrylic, and linocut rubber (rubber
specifically used for making carved prints) to produce high-quality prints. Looking at
the type of materials, it turns out that the variations are still very limited, especially
for materials that are easy to use, easy to obtain, affordable, and of good quality to
produce good graphic works. Although some parties have already attempted to create
alternatives using natural materials for making print templates, the results have not
been optimal. In this research, the author attempts to find an alternative type of
material for a new print mold that has strong and good material quality, is easy to
use, easy to obtain, and is very affordable, namely shoe sole rubber which is usually
used in the fashion field. The shoe sole is one of the lower parts of the shoe that is a
determining factor in the shoe's quality. The use of alternative materials in the
creation of this wood carving print template is also a form of creativity in the artistic
process from the perspective of materials and new means or media for creation.
Without novelty and relevance, what is produced is merely repetition and
reproduction, and it can no longer be called a product of creativity.

2. RESEARCH METHOD

This research is a qualitative descriptive study that emphasizes the writing of a report
or information using an artistic creation method approach. Descriptive qualitative
research has case studies that lead to detailed and in-depth descriptions of the actual
conditions of what is happening in the field of study. The data collection techniques
used in this research are: interviews, direct observation, and document review.

Figure 1. Stages of Artwork Creation

 The method used in the creation process employs the Hawkins art creation method,
which consists of three stages: Exploration, Improvisation, and Formation.
Exploration is the stage of visual exploitation and reference from the graphic work to
be created; Improvisation is the stage of experimenting with the use of medium
(material, technique, and tools); visual exploration in the form of work sketches,
organizing the elements of form that shape the aesthetic value of the work; and the
last stage is formation, which is the process of realizing (executing) various
experiments that have been conducted into a work.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 Exploration Process

In this process, an exploration of gathering suitable work ideas for development is

conducted by reviewing several references. There are several reference works chosen
based on carving techniques and coloring techniques, which are works resulting from
prints using carving techniques, whether using MDF, wooden boards, acrylic, or
linocut rubber as reference materials.

Figure 2. Reference of Print Results using the Carving Technique

In addition, an exploration of alternative materials for the mold reference was also
conducted, where the selected mold reference material is shoe sole rubber in the form
of black rubber sheets that are widely available in the market at a fairly affordable
price.
 Figure 3. Rubber material for shoe soles

The reason for using sole rubber as a carving medium is that, in addition to being
inexpensive, it is also easily obtainable and has a strong character when used for
multiple prints without compromising the aesthetic quality produced. With the
printing reference made from shoe sole rubber, it allows for softer carving compared
to using linocut rubber, wood, or other hard-character materials.

3.2 Improvisation Process

At this stage, experimentation is conducted using the medium that will serve as the
printing reference, namely shoe sole rubber. The shoe sole rubber used as the printing
reference material is cut and measured according to the printing area to be created.
The method using shoe sole rubber will provide a new atmosphere in the creation of
high relief prints by using manual carving in the processing, making it easier for
anyone who practices it. The process of creating images on the template is done
manually, through the creation of image sketches and the carving of the already made
sketches (Figure 4). For the creation of image modules on the plate or print template,
the image modules must be made in reverse of the print result, so that the print result
matches the desired outcome. In the process of creating image sketches, white colored
pencils or white sewing pencils are used. The shoe sole rubber material is quite easy
to scratch with a white pencil, making the sketch results quite clear.
 Figure 4. Sketch on Rubber Shoe Sole Material

After finishing the sketch, the next process is carving on the printing plate material.
Shoe sole rubber has a softer material character than linocut/lino rubber or hardboard,
acrylic, and the like. Because shoe sole rubber has a soft characteristic, the creative
process can be more relaxed as it does not require extra effort, allowing for expression
in any drawing object, whether in a realistic or contemporary style, and the details of
the drawing can also be easily achieved.

Figure 5. Results of the Cut on the Shoe Sole Rubber Material

After the engraving is complete, the next step is the inking process on the printing
plate with printing ink spread evenly using a rubber roller. The rubber material of this
shoe sole is very easy to coat with ink and can spread evenly across the entire surface.
The ink transfer on paper media can also be even and sharp, the ink can be transferred
perfectly, resulting in a sharp and good-quality print. (look at the picture 5).
 Figure 6. The Process of Ink Transfer and Transfer on Paper

3.3 Print Works as a Forming Process

Here are some graphic works produced using the relief printing technique with a shoe
sole rubber printing plate. From the prints, it can be seen that the color blocks and
image details can be displayed with good and even quality.

Figure 7. Print Result on Paper

4. CONCLUSION

Based on the research results that have been conducted, it can be concluded that, in
terms of type, the materials for print references are still very limited, especially for
materials that are easy to use, easy to obtain, affordable, and of good quality to
produce good graphic works. Shoe sole rubber can be recommended as an alternative
printing reference material that has quality comparable to other materials that are
already quite popular for use. Shoe sole rubber has advantages compared to other
materials, including being softer than lino art/lino rubber or hardboard and the like,
 making it easy to carve with a chisel. When working with rubber, it doesn't drain extra
energy. Sole rubber can provide detail with soft and intricate strokes and can create
color blocks well because it has soft and easily carveable characteristics. Sole rubber
can also be used to express any image object, whether in a realistic or contemporary
style. Anyone can create or work with this shoe sole medium because the rubber sole
is cheaper compared to other materials and easy to obtain.

1. Chronology
The article begins with the history of printing techniques, starting with the invention of
woodblock printing in China and Korea, which involved carving on wooden surfaces to
produce images or text. Subsequently, various printing techniques developed, such as relief
printing, intaglio, lithography, and screen printing, which are still used in the graphic arts
industry. The development of printing techniques continues to this day with the invention of
digital printing machines, yet manual printing techniques remain popular for graphic arts
purposes.

2. Problems and Solutions

The article identifies the limitations of printing media in the carving technique, which
generally uses wood, MDF, acrylic, or linocut rubber, having drawbacks such as high cost or
less flexible material characteristics. The proposed solution is the use of rubber shoe soles as
a cheap, easily obtainable, flexible alternative that can produce good detail. This material
makes the carving process easier without requiring much effort.

3. Sequence/Process
In creating graphic art using rubber shoe soles, the article explains the process as follows :
Exploration: Choosing ideas and alternative media, such as rubber shoe soles.
Improvisation: Conducting experiments on shoe sole materials to create sketches and
engravings.
Formation: Applying ink to the printing material and printing it on paper media. This stage
produces high-quality prints with sharp details and colors.

4. Compare and Contrast

The article compares rubber shoe soles with other printing media, such as wood, MDF, and
linocut. The main advantages of rubber shoe soles are their better flexibility, more affordable
price, and ease of carving. Meanwhile, traditional materials like wood and MDF require more
effort for carving and are more expensive.

5. Spatial/Descriptive
The article describes rubber shoe soles as an alternative medium that has a soft yet strong
texture, is easy to carve, and can provide consistent print results. These qualities make it an
ideal choice for creating manual prints without the need for heavy printing equipment.

6. Cause and Effect

The use of rubber shoe soles as an alternative medium creates a positive impact in graphic
arts because it can enhance the affordability and accessibility of manual printing techniques.
As a result, graphic artists and the general public can explore this technique at a low cost
while still producing quality artworks.

 What is the signal words that indicate the text structure?

Chronology:

"Starting with..."
"In the beginning..."
"Next..."
 "The development of..."
"Since the discovery..."

Problems and Solutions:

"The identified problem is..."

"The proposed solution..."
"Addressing these limitations..."
"Facing challenges..."
"As an alternative..."

Sequence/Process:

"The first stage is..."

"This process includes..."
"Once completed, the next step is..."
"The final stage..."
"The process begins with..."

Compare and Contrast:

Compared to...
The main difference is...
Advantages and disadvantages...
Meanwhile...
On the other hand...

Spatial/Descriptive:

"Has a texture that..."

"This material is described as..."
"Consists of..."
"This material can..."
"The characteristics of this material..."

Cause and Effect:

"The impact is..."

"Causing..."
"As a result..."
"The effect of..."
"Due to the use of..."

 Why do you decide that kind of text structure? Explain it!

The structure of the text was chosen based on the nature and purpose of the
document's content to provide a comprehensive understanding of alternative printing
techniques using rubber shoe soles. Here are the reasons behind the selection of each
structure:
Chronological:
Used to explain the development of printing techniques over time, from the beginning
to the digital era. This structure helps readers understand the background and
significance of innovations in printing techniques, as well as how these developments
have influenced the present.

Problems and Solutions:

This structure is important to highlight the constraints faced in the selection of
conventional printing materials, such as wood or MDF, which are relatively expensive
and difficult to carve. After identifying the problem, a solution in the form of using
rubber shoe soles was proposed, providing context for why this alternative is relevant.

Sequence/Process:
An explanation of the sequence of the printing process using rubber shoe soles
provides a detailed guide from the initial exploration of ideas to the final printing.
This structure helps readers follow the necessary steps in producing graphic works
using this technique.

Compare and Contrast:

This structure allows the writer to highlight the differences between rubber shoe soles
and other media, such as wood or MDF. This comparison shows the advantages of
rubber shoe soles, such as more affordable prices and ease of carving, so that readers
can assess the benefits of using these alternative materials.

Spatial/Descriptive:
This structure is used to describe the physical characteristics of rubber shoe soles,
such as texture and durability. This descriptive approach helps readers to visualize
and understand how this material can be a good choice for manual printing
techniques.