printing process

   In class we watched videos on different printing process. We watched videos over the Relief process, the intaglio process, and the lithography process. There are different steps supplies and looks to each process. They are all very different and used in many different ways. 

     INTAGLIO PROCESS-

     There are different types of this process called dry point and etching. In this process the ink sits in the area of the surface that you cut out. To start the process you have to start by polishing and cleaning the surface so nothing will come in contact with your project. After cleaning add ground to the surface then smoke plate until black. Then you scratch away the ground on the plate to reveal the metal underneath it. These scratches will be the dark part of your image, since the ink sits inside the scratches made earlier. Next you start etching which eats away at all the bare metal areas on the plate. It is then removed and rinsed to finish etching. to start finishing your work you clean the plate and remove the ground, than apply ink to the surface and then remove any excess ink. Once done cleaning, you place a wet sheet of paper on top of the plate and then you go through the printing press to reveal your image.

     RELIEF PROCESS-

     The relief process is to cut away at a surface in order to create an image from the higher area. There is a specific process you need to follow to complete this process. First you draw directly onto a linoleum block with a marker. After you are happy with what you draw you use a linoleum cutter to cut away what you have drawn on the block. This means that whatever you have drawn will eventually be in white, while the blank space will be black. Next ink will be rolled onto your linoleum block with a roller. Lastly you can place a piece of paper on the linoleum block and apply light pressure in order to reveal your image. Then wait to dry and your product is finished.

   LITHOGRAPHY PROCESS-

The lithography process is a printing process that revolves around the use of water and grease and how they resist one another. To do this printing process you use lithographic crayons or pencils to draw your image on the stone. After applying the chemicals you choose onto the stone you begin etching it. First you apply gum arabic then TAPEM. Once you have etched the stone, you take away some of the old material and replace it with fresh gum arabic. This is called cooling the stone, you then you cloths to what you have into the stone. Next you wash the drawing out with lithotine, this will make your work so far disappear, creating a "ghost image". When you put the asphaltum on the drawing, you replace the drawing material you had on at first. Now you can see a fully clear "ghost image". Now you will go over the image with a wet towel, dry towel, and sponge. You will then apply ink immediately to the surface, making the image appear. Then you put the paper on top of the stone and press the ink further into the stone. Lastly you can place a dampened piece of paper onto the stone and finally press the image on the paper.