Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd March 2025 | 10am - 4pm
Max. 8 participants
$650 inclusive of GST
(includes most materials)
AFTERPAY AVAILABLE AT CHECKOUT
Explore and learn the use of photopolymer printing plates in combination with digital photography to create Photogravure etchings.
This 2-day workshop will teach you the ‘Direct to Plate’ system. We transfer the image directly on to the plate with the use of an inkjet printer. Plates are then exposed using UV light, processed with water and printed via an etching press.
We do not use films for making plates, which simplifies the process immensely. Giving you more time to make prints!
This workshop will give you an insight into the hybridisation of digital techniques with the hand made print. We will look at printmaking techniques, including inks and paper options, setting up the etching press, color options with roll ups and digital chine colle.
Day One
Preparing your images in Photoshop – Optimising quality of your original image to suit the photogravure print.
Direct to Plate printing vs using films – pros and cons.
Inkjet printer options.
Exposure Unit options.
Printing images directly on to Photopolymer plate – adjusting for plate contrast.
Testing exposure times.
Plate making – process
Proofing plates, using various ink densities to adjust print qualities.
Day Two
Review of day one
More plate making
Printmaking techniques for press preparation, registration, paper options
Chine Colle techniques using rice papers and digitally created color layers.
There will be plenty of time for experimentation during day 2.
What is Direct to Plate photopolymer photogravure?
The Direct to Plate system was developed for the offset printing industry when making the transition to digital technologies. Silvi Glattauer has taken this direct to plate method and developed a calibration system to fine tune a work flow that perfects the fine art Photogravure print.
Without the need for a film, the computer image is printed directly on to the plate, then exposed and etched in water. This method also does away with the need for a double exposure and the vacuum frame. You will spend less time making plates, and more time making prints! We will also explore the possibilities of digital chine colle layers with your prints.
This workshop assumes that you have a basic working knowledge of Photoshop and your digital camera. You will need to bring along your laptop with Photoshop.
View this video -
Sophia Szelagyi & Belinda Fox making a large scale photogravure
Silvi Glattauer is a professional practicing photographer with a particular interest in non-silver alternative processes. Specialising in the photogravure process using non-toxic photopolymer plates, she finds that the combination of traditional printmaking with photographic images gives her work an added dimension that further develops the use of photography in fine art practice. Glattauer also has a background in the adult education sector with extensive experience in co-ordinating and running workshops. Alongside running workshops at The Baldessin Press for the past 15 years, she has taught photographic fine art printmaking at RMIT and Melbourne Polytechnic in Melbourne.
You are advised to book early to avoid disappointment.
including most materials
The workshop fee covers the cost of making four A5 size plates as well as editioning paper, etching plates, newsprint, proofing paper and inks.
Additional plates are available for purchase during the workshop should you wish to make more than 4 images.
What you should bring:
Digital files
Extra paper (optional)
Apron
Disposable gloves
Your laptop if you have one
A USB stick
Lunch (tea & coffee provided)
Workshop Cancellations & Refunds
We understand that circumstances can change. A full workshop refund will be offered:
· if a workshop in which you are enrolled is cancelled or deferred to a date unsuitable for your attendance. This may be the case if a Covid lockdown is announced.
· upon receipt of an email indicating your intention to withdraw your enrolment when notice is provided to us at least three weeks in advance of the workshop start date.
Workshop Credit - Transfers
We are happy to transfer your enrolment to a future workshop, but this will depend on availability of studio space and three weeks notice being given to us.
