search  current discussion  categories  tools & equipment - slab rollers 

printers blankets for slab rollers and studios

updated thu 1 feb 07

 

Mary Leither on tue 30 jan 07


Mostly Mud and MudMats will be at NCECA this year next to Brackers. Please
stop and say Hello. I'm a little nervous and afraid of being lonely.

Although blankets are an investment, I believe they are worth every penny.
They last a lifetime, are a space saver, and cost less than needing
designated wedging, glazing and clay tables not to mention the savings in
time and energy of trying to keep a canvas coated studio clean and dust
free. I also believe that they are perhaps a practical solution for giving a
quality clay experience to today's children in the multipurpose artroom.

I use blankets on my slab roller, on my tables, and as individual portable
placemat size work surfaces for students when I travel. I have been known
to place one rubber side facing me in the laundry tub as a backstop when
using a mouth atomizer, or chinese glaze sprayer.

The rubber keeps the mats in place when wedging or slinging slabs, and
provides a surface for glazing and wadding. The tight weave of the fabric
means I don't have to rib out canvas marks. Best of all I never have to
staple canvas to the tables so the mats can be rinsed thoroughly clean and
my tables are available for multiple uses.

Mary Leither
www.mostlymud.com

Arnold Howard on wed 31 jan 07


From: "Mary Leither"
> Although blankets are an investment, I believe they are
> worth every penny.

I use offset printing blankets as mouse pads. They last
forever. Turn the rubber side down.

Sincerely,

Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com

Vince Pitelka on wed 31 jan 07


It's certainly to Mary Leither's credit that she didn't push her business in
her post. She sells printer's blankets under the name "MudMats." You can
check them out at http://www.mostlymud.com/ - I got some printer's blankets
from her, and they are incredibly useful for all the things she mentions,
and more. When I am driving to teach a workshop, I always bring one of
these with me, because it such a delightful surface upon which to do
handbuilding. One suggestion - always keep them rolled up with the canvas
side facing outwards - that way when you unroll them and place them
rubber-side-down on the table, they stay there and don't try to roll
themselves up.

Printer's blankets are not cheap, but in this world, you get what you pay
for. These things are an industrial product made for the printing industry
using the highest quality materials, and they will last you the rest of your
life. When you want the best tool for the job, you gotta pay the money.

My only reason for writing this is because I am very pleased with the
MudMats that I have, and because I know that this is an excellent product
for any studio artist. You might think you don't need them, but I'll bet
that if you buy some, you'll never think that again.

And at NCECA you'll have the chance to go check out MudMats in person!
- Vince

Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft, Tennessee Technological University
Smithville TN 37166, 615/597-6801 x111
vpitelka@dtccom.net, wpitelka@tntech.edu
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka/
http://www.tntech.edu/craftcenter/