Friday 24th, Saturday 25th, Sunday 26th & Monday 27th January 2025 |
10am - 4.00pm
Max. 6 participants

$1290 inclusive of GST
(inclusive of all materials)

Explore and learn the use of photopolymer printing plates in combination with digital photography to create Photogravure etchings. This is a completely non-toxic approach without the use of solvents, or acids.

This 4-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.

Over the 4 days you will explore and learn:

1. Preparing your images in Photoshop – Optimising quality of your original image to suit the photogravure print.

2. Direct to Plate printing. - calibrating your system.

3. Inkjet printer options.

4. Exposure Unit options.

5. Testing exposure times.

6. Plate making – process

7. Proofing plates, using various ink densities to adjust print qualities.

8. Printmaking techniques for press preparation, registration, paper options

9. Chine Colle techniques using rice papers and digitally created color layers

What is Direct to Plate photopolymer photogravure?

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. You will need to bring along your laptop with Adobe Photoshop.

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 18 years, she has taught photographic fine art printmaking at RMIT and Melbourne Polytechnic in Melbourne.

The workshop fee covers the cost of making 6 x A5 size plates as well as editioning paper, newsprint, proofing paper, tarlatan and inks.

Additional plates are available for purchase during the workshop should you wish to make more than 6 images.

What you should bring:

• Digital files

• Extra paper (optional)

• Apron

• Disposable gloves

• Your laptop with Adobe Photoshop

• A USB stick

• Lunch (tea & coffee provided)

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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, or if a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating 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.