Etching

=Materials Needed:= Plexi Glass Plate Large file Etching tools Oil based Etching ink Linseed Oil Turpentine Gauze/cheese cloth brayer inking plate thick gauge watercolor paper- soaked minimum 30 minutes newspaper gloves printing press
 * Etching**



=Process:=

Tape plexiglass plate on top of drawing and proceed to etch design onto plexiglass plate. Be aware that the print will be a reverse of what you etch into the plexiglass. Once a general outline is etched, I find it easier to remove the plate from the drawing and instead put it on a white piece of paper to continue etching. To create a variety of values, use sand paper to fog the surface or crosshatching with an etching stylice. Areas to remain without ink color should not be etched. To protect your "blank" areas- you can place masking tape. Once etching is done, use the large metal file to sand the edges of your plexiglass plate to a 45 degree angle while also rounding the corners. This is done so that when you are printing the edges of the plexiglass don't rip the paper.
 * Etching the Plexiglass Plate:**

//Before you begin preparing the inking plate- place pieces of cut watercolor paper into a water tray to soak. It is best if the paper has at least 30 minutes to soak. (See picture 2).//

Place inking plate on top of newspaper to protect table area. Dole out a glob of printing ink and drizzle a small amount of linseed oil on top. The linseed oil makes the ink more spread able. With your brayer, roll the ink out until it is evenly spread on the plate and brayer is fully charged. You do not have to spread the ink over the whole inking plate- spreading it in a strip is ok. You know your brayer is fully charged when the whole surface is coated with ink but there aren't any thick "peaks" of ink on it. It should have a "sparkly" look to it.
 * Preparing the Inking Plate: (See picture 1).**

Put gloves on. Place plexiglass plate on newspaper. Roll the brayer over your plate to ensure that it is evenly coated with ink. Take a piece of gauze and using a circular motion, begin to wipe the ink away from the plate. It will stick to the etched areas. Once you've taken most of the ink away- use a clean piece of gauze to really clean the unetched areas to remove any excess ink. To get into detailed or small areas- you can use q-tips or a small corner or clean gauze to detail your print.
 * Inking your Plexiglass Plate:**

Remove gloves and take out one piece of watercolor paper. Place it between newspaper to remove excess water. Place plexiglass plate ink side up on the base of the printing press. Be sure to have 1 piece of newsprint paper underneath it to protect the bed. Carefully place the watercolor paper ontop of the plate. Try to center the paper before you place it. After the paper has touched the plate it cannot be moved. Place one more piece of newsprint paper over your plate and paper to protect the printing blankets. Carefully roll down printing blankets and roll plate through the press. After the press has gone over the plate completely, lift blankets and review print. Make adjustments to the inking depending on the results you want.
 * Printing:**

First with some sort of stiff cardstock or cardboard, scrape off excess oil from plate. Pour a small amount of turpentine on the printing plate and roll brayer over the top to remove oil ink from both plate and brayer. Use a paper towel to clean off the rest.
 * Cleaning Brayer and Printing Plate: **