Experimentation - Embossing & Etching

EMBOSSING & ETCHING PLATE PROCESS

A few of us went as a group to vernon street LCA to have a induction on the process of creating a plate to emboss or etch.

We first looked at some examples of embossing on to this thick card like stock.

 We also looked at a large plate that was created to emboss.

Notes:

• Negative Emboss

• Positive Emboss

• Limitations with tiny text

• Dont use smaller than 10PT

• Depth & Clarity is needed have bold type (Helvetica)

• The ore copper exposed longer it will take

• Frosted paper holds ink really well

Step by Step

Get your copper plate and choose the side with the least scratches , Using the sander sand it down. 

The next Step is to degrease it using some washing up liquid and a sponge over it. 

Blot the Copper plate with some newsprint - 

We next coat it with a thin layer of varnish you then put the blue film on your plate & place acetate on top.

We then roll the machine right to the end then back over it again

You then cut off the access up to your copper plate .

We next put the image side down stick to the copper plate with magic tape. Only needing 9 light units to expose.

The next step of the process was to get some solution in a container to put our copper plate into the solution consisted of sodium carbonate 10G & litre of water 18 degrees

 once the image has exposed peel of the layer , sponge every 30 seconds till copper is revealed.

 Blot the copper quickly.

 Once you have done that and your ready to put it into the etching tank , you need to hook it on with a white hook and scotch tape and it has to be left for 6-7 hours you need to change positions and turn it round half way through.

 When etched, can use the Hydraulic Nipping Press you need to

•  Place tissue on top of the paper 
•  Tighten screw towards you 
•  Pump handle till wont go further press back button in and pump
• the needle on the dial has to be mid day pointing to the top-  and lift it up

The workshop was really helpful its a tricky process and it helped a lot been shown the full step by step so i could fully understand everything that goes on to achieve an embossing and etching plate .

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