Photogravure Printing (in real time)

The entire process of inking and printing a photogravure plate (polymer).
This plate has a great aquatint and cooperative edges, making the process much faster than many other plates, so it was a good candidate for a real-time video of the printing process. Some of the more sensitive images take 3 or 4 times as long to print.
www.ARTandWATER.com
Some of the techniques I use in this video are not traditional. Much of my workflow is self-taught.
The image is part of the first suite of prints from the Grand Canyon Gravure project.

[@scottbarnes5963]

Some minor corrections: The plate oil used is #2 (not #00), and the ink was made the previous day, but stored in a can to minimize air exposure. (It can't be left out over night.)

[@joehoynik]

Great video. Thanks Scott. After watching another video of Chuck Close's photogravures, which was a total garbage, yours is just the opposite, very precise and to the point. Thanks!

[@scottbarnes5963]

Thank you. I am flattered. Chuck Close is an incredible artist. The process he is using is more traditional and creates stunning images.

[@scottbarnes5963]

I wrote a how-to book for the process I used in my studio. www.amazon.com/Making-Photogravures-With-Polymer-Plates/dp/0615919219

[@krishnansrinivasan830]

Sir , Nice video. I'm from India.I found out the price of other necessary stuff for making a photogravure. I would like to know , what would be the cost of the press to print 13" x 19" photogravures. Thank you :)

[@scottbarnes5963]

Thank you. The price for presses ranges depending on quality. A quality press big enough to print that size in the U.S. can range from $2,000 to $10,000. Etching presses can easily increase in price, depending on the precision of the machinery and the extras that make printing easier. Do a search for an "etching press" or "intaglio press" to see what you find. I have access at a school, and many people here can gain access through a printmaking society or association. That might be an avenue for you to explore. Owning your own press can be expensive.

[@Tedzee8]

wait wait wait... how did you do to get an image on the metal at FIRST? :) I ve heard it's possible to obtain a perfect image like a photography on a metal sheet but... how? :) Thanks for you answer in advence

[@scottbarnes5963]

+Thibaud The process shown above uses a steel-backed polymer plate, and not steel or copper. The printing process is the same once the matrix is made. The difference is that metal plates require carbon printing and an etching process with acid to create the matrix, while polymer requires a transparency (film or inkjet) and a water etching process. Both must be exposed to UV light. There are many books and helpful resources online that can answer some of your questions. I suggest starting with www.alternativephotography.com The best way to learn this is through a workshop. Online resources and books can only provide a limited amount of information.

[@scottbarnes5963]

www.amazon.com/Making-Photogravures-With-Polymer-Plates/dp/0615919219 Made a book that reveals the entire workflow, from printing the inkjet transparency, exposing and water-etching the plate, to printing (like in this video)

[@scottbarnes5963]

link to video that shows how to make a plate kzbin.info/www/bejne/mn68mmp9abOCsKM