Week 3 

In this session we created imagery to prepare on to the zinc plates. Using materials that are specifically used for lithography.  dissimilar to the zinc plates you cannot draw directly onto the photo plates, in order to transfer our images on to the plates we prepared the acetate for the photo plates by drawing our own illustrations onto them. You can also print images and photographs onto the acetate to expose onto the plate.

We created 3 different layers to build the images colour, tone and more.

Note: You have to use a material that is opaque so that it will show up on the light exposure unit

Step-by-step

1. Make sure the bed of the machine is clean.
2. Place the photo plate on the bed of the machine face up, with the acetate on the plate.
3. Close the cover
4. Turn the vacuum on (wait till pressure is at 20)
5. Turn on UV light
6. Set the bell and timer to approx. 35 seconds
7. Turn off bell and rotate the bed out of the light
8. Take out plate and cover to not risk further exposure

After rinse with chemical and then prepare plate for print.

 

Preparing the plate for printing

1. After you have finished drawing on to the zinc plate apply French chalk then resin
2. Then apply gum etch onto the plate evenly, then leave to dry
3. Then rinse off the gum with white spirit, the image will disappear
4. Dry the plate and reapply the gum etch

When applying ink on to the plate make sure that it is damp using water and a sponge and then roll ink on to the plate and then dry with a hair dryer and the plate is ready to print.