Polymer Photogravure: A Step-by-Step Manual Highlighting Artists and Their Creative Practice is a three-part book on the non-toxic process of making ink-on-paper intaglio prints from continuous-tone photographs using water-etched photopolymer plates.
Author Clay Harmon provides clear and easy to understand instructions that will enable anyone to successfully make a photogravure print. By quantifying the sensitometric behavior of polymer plates, Harmon has developed a methodical approach which will enable a new printmaker to produce plates in their own studio with a minimum of time and wasted materials.
Section One provides a straightforward guide to setting up the polymer photogravure studio. Section Two covers a step-by-step method of making the print from start to finish. Section Three showcases contemporary artists' works, illustrating the variety and artistic breadth of contemporary polymer intaglio printmaking. The works in these pages range from monochrome to full color, and represent a variety of genres, including still lifes, portraits, nudes, landscapes, urban-scapes and more. Featuring over 30 artists and 200 full-color images, Polymer Photogravure is a most comprehensive overview of this printmaking process in print.
Key topics covered include:
Studio safety
Equipment and supplies, evaluated from both a cost and utility point of view
A brief discussion of the types of ink-based printing
Aquatint screen considerations
Image preparation and positive printing on inkjet printers
Paper preparation
A simple and efficient polymer plate calibration process that minimizes wasted time and materials
A straightforward inking, wiping and printing method
Advanced printing techniques such as chine colle, a la poupee, and printing on wood
Troubleshooting guide to platemaking and printing problems
Tips on editioning and portfolios
A visual survey of the range of artistic expression practiced by contemporary artists
Sources for supplies and recommended reading
Polymer photogravure plates enable an artist to use an almost-infinite range of image color and papers to make a print. The finished prints are extremely archival, consisting of only ink and paper. With Harmon's instructions, continuous tone intaglio prints are within the reach of all.