Booklet4

In the same family of printing as dry point, the Intaglio process of etching involves a ferric chloride mixture that is used to etch or bite an image into a copper plate. There are various techniques which all their own individual qualities. I am going to introduce you to the most basic.

Place your prepared plate into a developing tray, raised from the surface with a block, and pour onto it acrylic varnish. We call this laying a ground.

Hold up vertically over newsprint by its edges - tilt and drag until all excess has drained off. Take to the drying room.

Once dry, carefully etch your image using your etching tools.

Tape up the back of your plate using brown tape.

This is so only the intended areas are etched. Line up a plastic hook on the back. and tape into place.

Not forgetting your gloves and visor, lower your plate into tank of ferric acid - make sure pump is switched on. The average biting time is 15-40 minutes.

Carefully take out of the tank. Dip your plate into the water tank to remove the remaining ferric, then transfer to a tank of mild caustic soda.

Once ready to ink up your plate, remove the brown tape and prepare your paper by soaking in the water trough.

As with the previous process, select your oil paint, and scrape over your plate with a square card forcing it into all your marks.

Using tissue and scrim, polish the revealed surface of the plate in circular motion until clean. Once your all sorted, get it rolled through the Etching press with your blotted paper.

Screen printing is a method that utilises the idea of ink being forced by a stencil.

It involves a mesh screen, that when covered in photosensitive emulsion can be exposed to a image in the UV unit, and therefore creating an area for ink to be pushed through. This method can create the most simple to the most detailed clear and concise prints.

Find a screen that best fits your prints size clean and dry. Be careful with these bad boys, they don’t come cheap!

Apply the emulsion to your screen - ask technician if unsure and then place in drying room.

Once dry, put into the UV exposure unit with your positive facing up and the screen on top facing down. Expose for correct time.

Rinse your screen with water until exposed image is clear - hold up to light Dry in drying room.

Choose your printing colour and add gel medium - 1 part acrylic to 2 parts gel.

Tape up edges of screen inside, and areas outside where emulation hasn’t covered so no excess ink escapes onto your print.

Clamp your screen to frame facing upward and switch on the vacuum.

Spatular ink above the printing area within the screen. Hold the squeegee 45 degrees. Pressing down on screen, pull the ink evenly across. Then lift the screen lightly and push ink back across screen to flood it for next print.

Well, now you know the basics - get in that print room and experimenting! I hope my booklet has helped to inspire you to want to make the most out of your college facilities, and I hope that you continue to pursue your creative

tendencies!

Take care, watch them fingers, and farewell!