Photopolymer film non-etched

The plate is first exposed with the aquatint screen and after that with the stencil. After the exposure the upper protective foil is removed and the plate is developed in the developer using a sponge under gentle movement. The well-developed image should appear coppery in the film and the grains should feel like fine sandpaper. After that the plate is rinsed with water and dried. Now a test print can be made. If the result is not satisfying, the plate can be developed further.
If the plate will be printed many times it is recommended to harden the film for approx. 3 minutes in the exposure unit.
It is possible to work into the film now by hand with an etching needle.
After printing the edition the film can be removed in a mild soda solution and the plate can be reused.

Above: An ink drawing on transparent paper
Down: Because the ink drawing is very light the plate was developed further in certain areas with a cotton bud.

A plate which was developed too long and so is showing areas of open bite

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Copyright 2006 Eva Pietzcker and Miriam Zegrer