Experimenting with Solar-plate

The process of creating solar plates uses non-toxic light and water and is combined with the intaglio press, which has been in use for centuries. Turning photographs and drawings into fine art prints is a laborious, but satisfying, printmaking process. We will be trying some experiments with making solar plates, including sun exposure. Bring your ideas!

Process

An image is made on the transparency through copying a photograph or drawing on the copier, drawing on the transparency with opaque pens, or scratching ink off a printed transparency.

The image on the transparency is then transferred to the solar plate using the UV light box. After exposure, the plate is etched by washing away the soluble polymer (the part not hardened by light) in cool water. The plate is then dried and hardened and is ready for printing.

The plate is then inked and printed on damp paper with an intaglio press.

What to Bring

• Lunch
• A photograph or an image with good contrast and textures, printed on a transparency