TARIQ DAJANI
PHOTOGRAPHY & PRINTMAKING

AN ONLINE DIRECT-TO-PLATE PHOTOGRAVURE PRINTMAKING COURSE
 

AN ONLINE COURSE IN DTP PLATE-MAKING​

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With DTP you will spend less time on technical matters, have fewer expenses on materials and have more time to be creative. There is

• no vacuum frame
• no transparency film

• no stochastic screen, no Stouffer tablet

• no need to calculate 2 exposures

• and no problems with trapped humidity or particles​

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My approach is to keep the technical aspects of plate-making as simple and economical as possible without sacrificing image quality. I prefer to put my focus and creative energy into the act of making art - not being a technician!

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OUTLINE OF THE COURSE

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Section 1 - DTP

• Install the Quadtone Rip (QTR) driver and DTP file on your Mac/PC

• Plate preparation for DTP printing

• Print a step-tablet directly to an A6 plate

• Make several UV light strip-exposures

• Process and print the plate

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Section 2 - Calibrate the plate

• Determine the UV exposure and

• Determine the Photoshop adjustment layer.

You will use a single A6 plate/print and your own eyes - no densitometer, scanner or other hardware/software

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Section 3 - Miscellaneous notes

• Principle of UV light and ink density on photopolymer plates

• Inks and paper

• Photopolymer plates - general

• Press blankets and pressure

• Inking and wiping

• Digital image file processing in Photoshop

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For the course, you will need

• Some knowledge of Photoshop and basic printmaking skills

• An Epson ultra chrome UC ink printer with matte black MK ink that can print to poster-board

• My instructions are for ready-made photopolymer plates. While the process should also work for dry film photopolymer plates, the preparation of the plates needs to be done first. For info on dry-film polymer photogravure contact David Kachel.