Liquid Photographic Gravure

About this process

Photographic Etching is a process in which a positive image is transferred on to a prepared, metal plate and etched into the superstructure, thereby creating a negative composition on the plate, which can then be inked, wiped and printed in the traditional way. After the desired number of prints have been made, the metal plate can then be re-used to create new prints, if needed.

This technique is another version of photographic etching, in which a liquid photographic ground is rolled on to a metal plate’s surface and then subsequently exposed to U.V. light through specially prepared digital imagery.

Whether you use purely photographic artwork, hand drawn or a combination of both liquid photo resist etching is used to produce a printable etched plate.

Unlike the photopolymer technique where the film layer itself is used as the print matrix the liquid photographic ground is actually used as a resist and you etch your image into the metal plate. This means that once etched the plate can be printed as is or further worked if you wish. Also because you have a metal print matrix you can produce larger editions if desired.

Through the manipulation of your artwork you can achieve either a very photographic result (Like traditional photo gravures) or if you wish you can create a punchier image that has a more graphic quality.