The Non-Etch Intaglio Process:

(11" round)

The plate was cut out of polystyrene and the Imag-on film emulsion was laminated to the plate by running it through an etching press. The image was drawn with ink and marker on Mylar and this was laid on top of the Imag-on. I then exposed it to a quartz halogen light, but even sunlight will do the trick- with less predictable results, of course.

The plate was then developed in a 1% solution of soda ash (a water softener), then dried and printed in the same manner as any etching. The film emulsion has enough depth for it to print as a "non-etch" etching. If a true etching is desired, the film can be laminated onto a copper or zinc plate, exposed and then etched in ferric chloride.

To me, part of the appeal of this process is the fact that when the edition is finished, the plate can be placed back in the water softener and the emulsion soaked off- thereby recycling the plate for use again and again. Of course, in this particular case, the embossings are carved into the plastic plate making it hard to reuse.

For even more info, visit Keith Howard's page...

or mail me with any questions.

Laughing Crow Studio focuses on relief printmaking with an emphasis on woodcuts, wood engraving, and non-toxic printmaking. Environmental art including wildlife illustrations and architectural watercolors are specialties.