Direct-to-Plate Gravure Printing Workshop

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Monday, August 11th, 2014
Monday, August 11 to Friday August 15 | 10 am to 4 pm

An image is captured on a plate that can be inked and printed by pressure through an etching press. Simple enough in theory. From the days of Fox Talbot through Camera Works to the early twenty-first century, photogravure was the territory of master printmakers. It was a delicate difficult process involving so many steps and toxic chemicals.

Modern inkjet printers let us make a transparent positive which is then placed against a plate covered with an emulsion of photo-initiating polymer. Exposure to UV light transfers the image to the plate where it can be �etched� with water. There are three basic ways to accomplish this: single exposure with transparency, dual exposure with screen and transparency, and most recently, direct-to-plate.

This workshop will focus on the recent advancements in direct-to-plate (dtp). This printmaking approach builds on single exposure platemaking. No pre-screening of your plates. The screen is built into an inkjet output which is printed directly on the plate then exposed. Using ImagOn, which works great with dtp, you will spend far more time making exhibition prints and less time platemaking.

You will learn to laminate your plates, print and develop and finally print your plates on the press. The emphasis for this workshop will be learning how to make and create the best possibles plates.

Discussions will include how to set up and dialed in the process in your studio, or how to better approach having work done for you. We will start easy and get more challenged as the week goes on. Not just for photography, gravure quality can also open up hand manipulation of images, color and more..

All materials used are non-toxic.

Each student will gain a working knowledge of the DTP process. Plus have the necessary information to continue on and set up at their own studio.

- Open to all abilities. *knowledge of photoshop and printmaking useful but may not be necessary.
- This workshop is limited to 9 participants / min of 6.
- Register and pay online >>
- We require a $150 non-refundable deposit to secure you space in this workshop.

FEE

- $750. plus $150 materials/studio fee Cdn
- includes five days of instruction, image reviews, and daily critiques with Don. Materials & plates to produce 10 plates (max. 8"x12") plus enough paper to make 20 prints. Daily access to an etching press.

WHAT TO BRING

1. Idea source materials such a drawings and/or photographs.
2. Images in digital format (360dpi at 8"x12" max); scanning can be done at LUZ
3. Jump drive (thumb drive or other removable media)
4. Laptop if you have one. - loaded with Photoshop and Print Driver