Introduction to Photopolymer Gravure

Our photopolymer gravure workshop combines the best of two worlds: printmaking and photography. The photogravure process, developed in the 1870s, involved etching a photographic image into a copper plate, from which prints could then be produced. The modern equivalent – photopolymer gravure - replaces the copper plate with a photosensitive polymer plate, making the process faster and easier to learn, as well as reducing the maker’s exposure to hazardous chemistry.

This two day course will focus on making prints from pre-made photopolymer plates, as well as providing an overview of the platemaking process:

• Calibrating polymer plate exposure 

• Producing the digital transparency 

• Exposing, washing out and hardening the polymer plate

• Preparing the paper, inking the polymer plate and pulling the print