| 'Marsh UFO' by Jennifer Page, 5.5 x 7.5", Photogravure made with Dragon gravure, CFP analog aquatint screen and CFP grayscale dye ink digital positive. Both Dragon Gravure and Phoenix Gravure are high quality gravure papers, industrially manufactured to the standards required to replace Autotype and McGraw Hanfstaengl discontinuedgravure tissue. Cape Fear Press is the exclusive worldwide distributor for both tissues. I am self-book taught in Photogravure and this is my complete and personal library on the subject:
Photogravure, A Process Handbook by Gary Kolb 1986 (excellent troubleshooting section, my first book on gravure)
The Keepers of Light by William Crawford 1979 (contains one chapter on photogravure)
A Treatise on Photogravure in Intaglio by the Talbot Klic Process by Herbert Denison 1895
Photogravure by Henry R. Blaney 1895
Photogravure: An Archaelogical Research by Jan Pettersson 2007, book plus DVD
Photogravure by Cartwright 1930, 1939 (excellent)
Rotogravure by Cartwright & Mckay 1956
Photographic Printmaking Techniques by Deli Sacilotto 1982 (contains one chapter on photogravure)
A Photogravure Manual by Johan DeZoete 1988 Brush Sensitizing Dragon Gravure Tissue
McGraw-Hanfstaengl Gravure Tissue test print PICCO Synthetic Aquatint Dustgrain
Picco is the most recent innovation in traditional aquatinting for gravure. Craig Zammiello, the master printer at Two Palms NYC pioneered the use of this synthetic resin for traditional photogravure because it can be applied underneath the gelatin since it is not dissolved by alcohol. Picco resembles powdered asphaltum in texture and fineness but has the light color of rosin which aids in watching the etch. Grind the Picco in an electric non-burr coffee grinder to a fine powder. If using a shaker or spinning box grind about 1/4 of the resin medium and coarse in a mortar and pestle to help mix things up. The melting point of PICCO is about 245ºF or 118ºC.
Baking on a Hotplate The baking method ensures the most even and predictable melting. A wood cover and solid sides should be made to cover the entire hotplate surface. The inside height of the cover only needs to be about an inch. This is just high enough to accommodate a surface thermometer (see supplies list below) placed directly on the copper plate for initial testing. Raise the plate by placing a few bamboo skewers underneath. When an undusted piece of copper has stabilized at the correct temperature, you are ready for melting the Picco.
Open Hotplate or Griddle The Picco melts easily on a hotplate that has a surface temperature of 245-250ºF. Thermostats and temperature controls are often inaccurate and a surface thermometer is highly recommended here. The thickness of the copper and room temperature will effect optimum hotplate temperature and melting times.
Flame Firing the Picco can be done with a shallow pan with several cotton balls soaked in 91% isopropyl alcohol and set aflame. This is a soft and even flame and preferred to a propane torch. Smother flame with copper plate to extinguish. This method is pretty easy with practice and will also work well for all other aquatint applications.
Test for adhesion by firmly rubbing an edge with your finger. If it rubs away easily, apply more even heat. The dust should look clear but textured when fired properly, if it turns very shiny or spotty then the dust is over melted and/or the plate is over dusted and you should strip it and start over.
Removal The Picco can be easily and safely removed with B100 Biodiesel. Follow up with an aqueous solution of TSP to degrease. Biokleen Citrus Soy Slovent may also work for safely removing the Picco but we haven't tested it. Also removes with acetone or naptha.
What is a Photogravure? This page explains the differences in the various photo intaglio processes, including photogravure, direct gravure, photo etching and photopolymer.
Photogravure Supplies List
• Cape Fear Press supplies Dragon and Phoenix photogravure pigment papers, PICCO synthetic dustgrain resin, Izoteintaglio Inks, Agate burnishers, Baume and Alcohol Hydrometers, MAAS polish, Stouffer wedges, Analog Aquatint Screens, finely woven wool sizing catcher and pusher blankets, dust removing rollers, Sukiawase surface gampi 100GSM, Grayscale Inkjet Inks and steel facing services.
• Fuji Hunt sells the best Ferric Chloride, We now sell acid free 48º Baume ferric chloride for photogravure.
• Sensitizer 99.8% pure on Ebay from seller 'quartzpegmatite' in Colorado with easy, fast shipping
• Etorre Window Squeegees, local hardware store or http://www.ettorecleaning.com/c-32-squeegees.aspx
• Copper can be bought from Daniel Smith, CG Metals or your local sheet metal supplier. If buying roofing copper ask for 16 oz roofing copper and ask for the cleanest piece they have for minimal scratches and politely ask them to handle it with care.
• Copperplate Hahnemuhle and Magnani printing papers can be bought at Daniel Smith, Jerry's Artarama or Dick Blick.
• Marble Dust aka whiting is available at Dick Blick
• B-100 Biodiesel can be found at local co-ops or online. It is a safe substitute for petroleum solvents. B100 is made from recycled cooking oil, contains no petroleum and has no harmful fumes or rancid odor, don't use on natural rubber as it will cause it to break down, keep away from squeegees or brayers.
• PTC Surface Thermometer, great for calibrating hot-plate http://www.ptc1.com/thermometers_surface_spot.htm
• TSP90 (Tri-Sodium Phosphate 90 is phosphate free) is available at Ace Hardware. Red Devil is our preferred brand. We ship all our products worldwide, including ferric chloride! ©2010-2023 by Cape Fear Press. All rights reserved. Photogravure in other words: Heliogravure, Heliograbado, Fotograbado, Fotogravuur, Fotogravure, Fotogravura, Fenugravirozasi, Fotoincisione, Fotograviras,Tiefdreckdienste, Fotogravering, Fotograwiury | | |
