Big Words: STD: Go Go Gocco, Part 1

Definition
Gocco

Pronunciation: \ˈgō\-\kō
Usage: noun
1: aka "Print Gocco" is a self-contained compact color printing system invented in 1977 by Noboru Hayama, uses a heat sensitive copying method for preparing silk screening style stencils. Production of these ceased in about 2005
2: derived from the Japanese word gokko, loosely translated as make-believe play
3: an item that has become hugely popular with independent artists and brides-to-be as a way to create very cool screen-printed art
4: another project I had to do as soon as I heard of it

I first came across info on the Print Gocco when I started looking at wedding invitations. This may or may not have been before I got engaged. Which may have led me to buy a Gocco on eBay within a week of so of getting engaged... What can I say? I was excited!

I got my Gocco in the mail in January. My initial plan was to use it only for the invitations, so while I was freakishly excited to have the Gocco in my possession, I didn't intend to actually use it for many months.

Then, after I'd settled on using magnets for our STDs, I realized that I couldn't just stick a magnet in an envelope and send it. Poor lonely magnets! I'd need something to attach the magnet to, to put it in the envelope. The cogs in my brain turned away, and then, Bingo! The Gocco!

Thus began the Design a Template project. I came up with about five hundred million designs from simple to elaborate, monochromatic to layers upon layers of color. I'd scratch design ideas on any little piece of paper that was in my possession for any period of time. Finally, I settled on one inspiration:

The Vintage Lake Tahoe postcard! It fit perfectly into what is slowly becoming a vintage-inspired wedding (more about that in the future!)

After I had a good inspiration, the actual design came pretty easily. I downloaded a free trial of a map making program, downloaded some new fonts (I don't have these details on hand as I'm at my parents house right now, and that info is on my computer at home - sorry!), and some clip art, and went to town.

Then came the hours and hours of research on how to use the Gocco. Most bloggers that have written about it express at least a mild level of frustration. I was nervous, but determined.

Finally, after three months of preparation, I was ready to actually give it a shot. My MOH was in town for a race we were running, and that seemed the perfect time to Go Go Gocco!

It started with one last look through the Gocco tips I'd compiled.