Something akin to a mini silk screening tool for paper, a Gocco creates a very detailed printed image.
Kristina's invitation with Gocco'd monogram button
Kelly's whimsical RSVP card
You could compare it to a personalized stamp, but while potentially easier and faster, the stamp cannot be altered, it will not easily support multiple colours nor will it be as detailed as the Gocco’s end result.
From what we’ve heard, DIYers can really get hooked on the process.
Just this past week, we heard that Kristina, from 100 Layer Cake, designed and Gocco’d the little monogram button she and her husband, Brock, included in their invitation. Not satisfied with one Gocco project, she also designed and made 250 super elegant coasters, which were used throughout the day.
With a completely different look in mind, Kelly Fitzpatrick blogged about her Gocco experience last summer as she created everything for her wedding invitation from the envelope to the RSVP card and beyond. Expanding on a woodland motif, she blended charming animal and verdure imagery with a custom monogram to entice her guests with the promise of day of enchantment and the unexpected.
A coaster from Kristina's wedding
The goods
The Japanese manufactured machine is an endangered species, production was stopped a few years ago when demand for the machine seriously declined. That said, there are a number of used machines available for sale on sites like eBay and it’s estimated that one in three Japanese households own one.
In Toronto, The Work Room rents theirs for about $30/day while the supplementary equipment: screens, inks and bulbs which can all be found at The Paper Place. Take a quick read of the Gocco’s history on Wikipedia where you’ll also get a good idea of what they look like.
For how-to, most machines will come with a booklet, but there is also a world of knowledge from the DIY community: this is our favourite tutorial but just Google the name and you’ll be amazed at the little gadget’s following.
Thanks to 100 Layer Cake for the images from Kristina’s wedding.
This is a portion of a story that first appeared in The Daily News, Summer 2008