Our water-wash photopolymer plates are an affordable and non-toxic way for printers to process intaglio plates. These plates develop by exposure to an ultraviolet light source through a film positive. Then the plates are brushed in warm tap water and dried. After they are post-exposed to ultraviolet light again, they harden and are ready to print. You'll cut these plates the same way you would a zinc or copper plate - with a metal shear. If you don't have this equipment, hand-held tin-snips can cut through the steel backing of the plates.
How do I process my intaglio plates?
Boxcar Press provides unexposed plates for intaglio and etching artists who want to create prints using a safer and more environmental process. Because we specialize in letterpress printing, we do not process intaglio plates at our shop. We can't offer instruction on how to process these plates.
But in an effort to assist artists with their intaglio process, we recommend the following books and web sites, written by people who are experimenting with polymer in terms of correct UV exposure, wash out times, creating transparencies, homemade UV light boxes and more.
Polymer Photogravure: A New Method for Photographers and Graphic Artists,
by Taneli Eskola and Kan Holopainen
We hope this information helps you in the process of what you’re trying to achieve. Please help us to spread the good news by letting us know about other useful sources.
How do I process my intaglio plates?