Solar plate printmaking or polymer etch is a relatively new print process that enables images to be established onto metal plates by exposure to light using sunlight or an ultra violet light source.
Solar plate printing process.
Solarplate is a prepared light sensitive polymer surface on a steel backing for artists to produce fine prints.
Cool water is used instead of acid.
I have worked a lot with solar plates and have the book printmaking in the sun.
Solar plate printmaking or polymer etch is a relatively new print process that enables images to be established onto metal plates by exposure to light using sunlight or an ultra violet light source.
Two minutes or longer for a single exposure without the screen or 5 10 minutes for a relief plate.
Overlay it on a solarplate and expose the film and plate together in the sun.
The plates are developed by washing in water and can be printed as intaglio or relief prints.
Dan explains how it works.
Pauline muir developed the double exposure technique with solarplate using a random dot screen which is a refinement of the original process.
Solar plate printing was the process past resident monica lacey worked with while staying with us last summer.
Solarplate is a light sensitized steel backed polymer material used by artists as an alternative to hazardous printing techniques.
Gently scrub the entire image with a soft solarplate brush for about 1 minute for the double exposure.
You can create a piece of artwork on a transparent film.
Solar plate first print and process.
This post is going to show you the steps for printing solar plates through genna s wedding invitation.
She resides in adelaide australia where she exhibits her work conducts workshops writes and makes prints.
The plates are developed by washing in water and can be printed as intaglio or relief prints.
Thank you for sharing your process.
It is a great book.
Solar plates are a simple safe and fast approach to etching and relief printing that does not use grounds acids or solvents.
It was quite a while back so don t remember the cost.
She is co author with dan welden of the book print making in the sun.
Effectively you re transferring a drawn image to the plate and the plate can be used to print either in relief or intaglio.
Carol i love your print.
The washout process is a substitution for the etch process in traditional intaglio.