Copper plate photogravure: demystifying the process

Abstract

"Copper Plate Photogravure: Demystifying the Process is part of the current revitalization of one of the most satisfyingly beautiful image-making processes. The range of ink color and paper quality possibilities is endless. The potential for handwork and alteration of the copper plate provides yet another realm of expressive variation. The subject matter and the treatment are as variable and broad as photography itself. This book's purpose is to demystify and clarify what is a complex but altogether "do-able" photo-mechanical process using currently available materials." "A historical survey and appendices of detailed technical information, charts, and tables are included, as well as a list of suppliers and sources for the materials required, some of which are highly specialized. A comprehensive glossary introduces the non-photographer or non-printmaker to many of the terms particular to those fields and associated with this process."--Jacket

Contents

Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- 1. A Brief History (starting p. 1) -- 2. Making the Film Positive (starting p. 13) -- 3. Sensitizing the Gelatin Tissue (starting p. 23) -- 4. Preparing the Copper (starting p. 41) -- 5. Exposing the Gelatin Tissue (starting p. 55) -- 6. Adhering and Developing the Gelatin Tissue (starting p. 71) -- 7. Preparing to Etch (starting p. 87) -- 8. Etching the Plate (starting p. 99) -- 9. The Printing Process (starting p. 119) -- 10. Alternative and Historic Methods and Materials (starting p. 147) -- 11. Directions for the Home Manufacture of Carbon Tissue for Photogravure Printing (starting p. 163) -- App. A Safety Considerations (starting p. 171) -- App. B Making a Random-Patterned Hard-Dot Screen (starting p. 173) -- App. C Testing for Correct Exposure with Your Light System (starting p. 176) -- App. D The Chemistry of Etching with Iron(III) Chloride (starting p. 179) -- App. E Exposure and Etch Form (starting p. 182) -- App. F Printing Ink Tests (starting p. 184) -- App. G Paper Chart for Photogravure Printing (starting p. 186) -- App. H The Conventions for Editioning Prints (starting p. 187) -- App. I Suppliers (starting p. 189) -- Reference Materials (Bibliography) (starting p. 193) -- Contributors (starting p. 195) -- Glossary (starting p. 197) -- Index (starting p. 211) -- About the Authors (starting p. 217).