The Puretch Print Exchange
and Big Print Block Party (Steamroller Printmaking) Fundraiser
The goal of this exchange is to share, demonstrate and compare the various working methods of making metal plate photo etchings with Puretch high resolution photopolymer etch resist. Each artist and studio set-up is different. Each artist will submit a worksheet describing methods of making the positive, the exposure methods & times, etch solutions & times, ink, paper, etc. so that other artists can better learn how to use this film under varied studio situations.

Technology Merges with Tradition
These prints will be made using the latest technologies with the opportunity for combining this with traditional etching methods. Puretch is intended for etching so we encourage you to combine any other traditional techniques your image calls for. We want to see how you are merging technology with tradition and how your images influence or are infuenced by this. It will be most interesting to see what transpires here.

For this exchange of art and ideas, we request the donation of one of your prints to help fund the Big Print Block Party in 2010. Please see our site for images and video from last year. Your gracious donation will help further the appreciation and education of printmaking among the general public.

A good friend once told me if he gave me a dollar, and I gave him a dollar then neither of us was any richer, but if he were to give me an idea and I gave him an idea then we both now posessed a new idea. This latter statement is in the true spirit of a print exchange, in my opinion.
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Requirements
Paper size must be 11 x 15" (+- 1/4"). Plate size must not be smaller than 7 x 7". All plates must use Puretch significantly at some step in the print and they must be traditionally etched.

Incentive
A 20' roll of Puretch will be awarded to one artist. Innovation, tradition, subject matter, print quality, as well as described working methods will all be taken into consideration when selecting this print.

How to participate
We are seeking 20 artists at this time. Please pay the entry fee online (scroll to bottom of items list) or mail a check or cash with your personal contact info to participate. US checks only please. The fee for US artists is $15 and international artists $25.

Entry Fee Deadline
March 31, 2010

Print Shipping & Deadline
Send your signed and numbered edition of 21, 11x15" prints and 1 letter size copy of the completed information worksheet (see below). International artists, please mark prints as media mail, printed works, no value. You may do a larger edition of your print than required so you may retain some prints for yourself but please number the prints accordingly. Please send prints flat, in a durable, lightweight container which will be re-used for returning your prints. You may use lauan plywood on one side of your 'envelope'. Prints must be received by April 15, 2010. Late prints will become the property of Cape Fear Press.

Print Shipping and Distribution
Prints will mail out within 2 weeks of the receiving deadline. All US prints will be returned uninsured with delivery confirmation using US Priority Mail. International prints will deliver via FedEX economy air. Of the 21 prints, 20 will be distributed to the participating artists including one print to Cape Fear Press for research/workshops and one will be for sale to help fund the Big Print Block Party on May 22, 2010.

Print Exhibition
An online gallery of prints and information will be posted at capefearpress.com. A print exhibition and silent auction of these prints will be held in the Wilmington, NC area some time in the spring of 2010. All of these prints will be available for viewing at the Big Print Block Party 2010.

Release
By submitting artwork to Cape Fear Press, you are giving Cape Fear Press a royalty-free right to use images of your artwork for any purposes. Newspapers and other media outlets are allowed to use images of your artwork in promotional material promoting Cape Fear Press. This agreement is only good for things regarding Cape Fear Press. You still retain ownership of your artwork and may do anything else that you want to it (including submitting it to other publications, etc).

Print Processing Info Worksheet
Please copy/paste this into below into an e-mail to us by March 15. Please don't return or double space topics, simply type info over text not in bold. Also include one hard copy with your prints. Please use 12 pt Helvetica and limit to one page.

• Artist name: Your Name
• Print Title: title
• Transparency type: digital inkjet, laser, drawing, etc
• Digital Photo positive generation: software, curve reduction %, dpi, printer brand, positive material, etc. be as specific as you wish.
• Puretch lamination: drying method and times
• Etching techniques: technique
• Exposure unit: please describe brand, watts, light units, distance to plate, solar, vacuum or not etc
• Exposure time: time
• Stouffer: yes no? target # if yes
• Aquatint screen exposure: yes no? please describe if yes:
• Etchant: chemistry, strength, temperature, agitation etc
• Plate: copper, zinc etc
• Etch time(s): time
• Ink(s): ink
• Paper: paper
• Press: press
• Additional comments or statement (optional):
• Website: (optional)

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