What the Heck is a Gocco?
So, some readers have been leaving comments wondering, what the heck is a Gocco? I’m sure the people who hopped over to my blog from Weddingbee already know what a Gocco is. However, in the stamping world, Gocco isn’t in our vocabulary. 
Gocco is used for mass producing and has nothing to do with rubber, while stamps are… well, not so great with the mass producing thing. I’ll explain a little bit about the Gocco and share some links where you can find more info.
The Gocco is basically an at-home screen printing machine for paper. It can be used to print on fabrics also, but most people use it for paper goods, like stationery and wedding invitations. Using screens that are carbon sensitive, a design printed with a laser printer or photocopier (or any machine that uses carbon to print), plus two Gocco flash bulbs (like the kind that were once used with old school cameras), a Gocco owner can burn a pattern into a screen. Then, ink is applied to the screen, the screen is installed back into the print machine, and the design is ready to be stamped onto paper. Sounds confusing? It’s really not. Gocco can be intimidating at first, but I found it was incredibly easy to use. I’m planning to make more prints soon, so I’ll post a video in the future.
I’m thinking about creating some designs to sell on Etsy. I’ve been so busy, the poor shop has been empty. 
Gocco will probably be easier than rubber stamping for mass producing inventory to sell.
For my first Gocco project, I made a stash of flat 4 bar thank you notes. I created a design with the motif that my brother and future sister in law will be using in their 2009 wedding. They generously bought me the Gocco machine because I’ll be helping them with their invitations, so I wanted to do a practice design using their wedding element. I only wasted one screen during the burning process. Not bad for my first time!
For the cherry blossom print, I used two screens: One for the pink ink and one for the brown. If the colored areas had not been so close together, I would’ve been able to do everything on one screen and separate the colors using ink blocking material.
Here, you can see the ink smooshed around.
And here’s my first lovely print. I ran these cards through the printer twice (one time for each color). The ink dries pretty quickly and I was able to finish the project in only a few hours.
The prints above are waiting to dry before I proceed with round two. With Gocco, you can make hundreds of prints using the same screen. It’s a handy little tool for mass producing.
When I printed with the second screen, I learned that the foam blocking material saves a lot of wasted ink. It prevents the ink from spreading around and forces the screen to print evenly. I’m glad I’m learning all this before I print my brother’s invitations.
The finished card! Jesse + Stina (<–brother + FSIL), if you’re reading this, I saved a stack of these little cards for you guys! You can send them to your early wedding gift givers.
For those new to Gocco, you can learn more than you ever wanted to know about the printer right here: http://www.weddingbee.com/tag/gocco/ and here: http://www.diylife.com/2007/12/14/diy-definitions-print-gocco/
Unfortunately, as I mentioned yesterday, Riso stopped making supplies for the little machine. I’ve been buying boxes of bulbs here and there and I’ve built up a nice little stash for myself, but I could definitely use more. It’s too bad, because this machine is really awesome!
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Comments
those are gorgeous! good job, i can’t believe this is your first time, you look like a pro…..can’t wait until you do a video.
SO COOL!! It still does sound super confusing to me tho! The cards look fabulous! I am so excited. Thank you!! *HUGS*
Those are very pretty. I toyed with the idea of buying a Gocco once and know if some seller’s on Etsy that use Gocco for prints and such.. but never was able to leave my rubber stamping behind.
Can’t wait to see your paper goodies in your shop!
::sigh:: Soooo purty, you’ve just inspired me to make something. Anything.
And I’ve nominated you for the Uber Amazing Blog Award! Check out my blog for details.
I’ve considered purchasing one to make our invitations, etc! How many prints can you make per inking? (sorry for the incorrect terminology! I mean once you put the ink on, how many prints can you make? does that make sense? lol).
Unfortunately, since the supplies are discontinued now, I’m reconsidering Gocco. I need to calculate the costs more.
This looks awesome nd looks like that other card you made but simpler. Do you know where someone can buy or rent a gocco?
Hi Kel!
I just discovered your website – this is so awesome! The thank you card turned out so well The motif design is similar to the one a friend of mine used for their invitation.
Hi Kel!
I was wondering if you could share the cherry blossom graphic? I am looking for EXACTLY that kind of graphic for my own wedding invitations, but haven’t been able to find one that’s juuuust right.
[...] quite possibly a disaster in the making. Armed with sheets of chipboard, a die cutting machine, my Gocco printer, and a whole lot of finger crossing, I whipped up these babies pictured [...]
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Nice writing style. Looking forward to reading more from you.
Chris Moran