Photopolymer Printing
Printmaking using these plates offers a new range of imaging possibilities for photographers as there are a range of images that can be produced from a single type of plate. It is also extremely safe…no toxic chemicals here!
Only a UV light source (sunlight is capable but it takes longer), and ordinary tap water is required to process a plate prior to printing. The plates can also be handled in ordinary room lighting conditions, a darkroom is not required. Apart from an inkjet printer, a UV light source and a few traditional printmaking materials, this technique can be used by anyone willing to put in the time and effort.
One of best advantages of photopolymer printmaking is the range of images that can be produced. Drawings on film, photographs, photocopies, collage, digital images and even found objects can be used to create interesting images. The plates also hold text quite well.
Etching: Type of Printmaking
Invented by the German artist Daniel Hopfer (c.1470-1536), etching - along with engraving mezzotint and aquatint - is one of the intaglio methods of fine art printing. Because of its relative simplicity, etching rapidly rivalled engraving as a printmaking medium. Its principal advantage over engraving was that little knowledge of metalworking was required, and could be practiced by anyone trained in drawing.
The Etching Process
In traditional etching, a metal plate, usually made from copper, zinc or steel, is coated with a waxy acid-resistant substance called 'ground' upon which the artist draws his design with a metal needle, exposing the bare metal as he does so. The plate is then immersed in acid. The acid eats into the metal, where it is exposed by the design, resulting in lines in the plate. The plate is then wiped clean of all the ground, and the plate is inked using the same method as for engraving. Etching may be combined with other intaglio techniques, famous exponents being Rembrandt - who combined it with engraving - and Francisco de Goya who also used aquatint.
