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 (Toyobo and Jet). 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.