The process of Etching on Zinc Plate –
1.
Clean
the plate with Brasso and steel wool or 0 no. polish paper. Then wash the plate
with face wash or soap water till the fingerprint marks are disappeared.
2.
Then
bevel the edges of the plate (of the working side) with a filer up to 2mm. Hold
the filer 45o to file and bevel the sharp edges of the zinc plate.
3.
After
this, scrape out the remaining unsteady and sharp sides with a burnisher or
with the help of a steel scale.
4.
Clean
the plate once again to remove unnecessary marks.
5.
The
ground is the main ingredient for Etching. This consists of two types – soft
ground and hard ground.
6.
The
soft ground contains some highly poisonous chemicals like Bee Wax, Bitumen
Powder, Rosin Powder, Benzene, etc. It is made with the combination in a
certain proportion of bee wax, bitumen powder, rosin powder, etc. Benzene is
used to clean the plate. But it evaporates immediately. So, I suggest using
kerosene.
7.
The
hard ground is aka Black Japan. It is an acid proof chemical and was
used in the early age of car productions. This chemical was used to prevent car
chassis from rusting. In
etching, the plate is coated with a moderate or thin layer of Black Japan. Then
it is left to dry for 1-1 ½ hours. Benzene can be used to make Black Japan
thinner.
8.
After
it dries completely, the next thing you need is a needle. It is available in major stationary stores.
With the help of a needle, you can scrape out your sketch in line work for the
first proof impression or as you wish to draw. (Not a compulsion for line
work.)
9. The next thing you need is Nitric Acid, which is highly dangerous, inflammable, and with toxic fumes. You have to
handle the acid by wearing surgical hand gloves, eye gear (goggles), mask etc.
10.
You
have to take a plastic mug or some small plastic vessel, i.e. half of a plastic
bottle to handle the acid, because acid reacts with metals.. The proportion of
acid with water to be taken is 1 : 8
or 1 : 10. Prepare the acid mix in a plastic tub.
11. So,
when you finish drawing the sketch on the plate, you need to etch the sketch to
take impression on the paper. Before dipping the plate into the acid, you have
to cover the plate with cello tape from the back side, that will save your
plate from back side. Here, you have to dip the plate in the acid mixture. You
have to decide the timing for acid exposure, because if you want your lines
look light, you have to keep the plate for about 1 minute. And if you want deep
and dark lines, you have to keep the plate in acid for more time, i.e. 2 - 4/5
minutes. If you want to make emboss of the uncovered part, you have to wait for
up to 10–15 minutes.
12.
When
you keep the plate in acid, the next thing to be done is to stir the acid on
the plate, as it makes bubbles on the uncovered part of the plate. This is to
be done with the help of a crow feather. In time, keep checking the depth of
your lines with the help of the needle.
13. When
you think that you have achieved the required intensity of lines, take out the
plate from the acid. Wash the plate under forced water tap. After washing,
clean the plate with benzene or kerosene thoroughly.
14. Next
thing is to prepare the color ink for the impression. Make the ink more semi-liquid as possible
by mixing linseed oil with it. This will help to apply the ink evenly, fast and
deeply into the etched lines of the sketch. Apply the ink on the required
etched areas of the plate.
15. After
applying ink, wipe out the entire ink present on the plate with the help of
news papers or butter papers. While wiping, do not use fingertips, instead use
the lower side of the palm. This
technique does not leave any deep fingerprints on the plate after wiping. Clean
the plate thoroughly.
16. While
wiping the plate, tell someone to keep a paper ready by dipping it in water.
Dip the paper in water for about 1–2 minutes or as you wish (but not for too
long.)
17. Take
out the paper and blot with a sponge or a Turkish towel. Blot the paper
thoroughly.
18. Keep
the press ready by arranging a rough paper under the plate. Keep the plate in
the position you want. Now, roll the paper on the opposite side which you
blotted minutes before.
19. Align
the final paper with the plate and roll over the paper from the lower side of
the plate, so that it aligns correctly with the plate.
20. Put
another rough paper if required over the final paper. Then put the felts of the
press on the papers. Clear the folds on the felts. Then adjust the pressure of
the press. Now roll the press over the plate for two times if required, or else
rolling once is sufficient.
21. Remove
all the felts and the rough paper from the press. Take out the final paper very slowly and
steadily. Your Line Etching impression is ready !!!
22. Now
repeat the same procedure for further impressions. If you don’t want a part to
be etched, cover that part with Black Japan. You can make gradations with the
help of this process without using ‘Aquatint’.
Important
tips –
Ø
Cleanliness
is must in print making. So, you can use chalk powder if your hands are covered
with ink. But wash hand thoroughly before taking each impression.
Ø
If
you are using Rosin powder for doing aquatint, please wear the essential
protective gears like goggles, masks etc.
Ø
Acid
should be handled with utmost care. Wear the essential protective gears like
gloves, goggles, masks etc. If the gloves tear, change the gloves immediately.
Ø
Last
thing is etching is a slow and steady process, so don’t rush.
Stores for
getting the etching material –
1. Needles,
papers, sponges, knives, brush and other stationary - S.P. Stationers, Back
market, behind Bharati Vidyapeeth, Dhankawadi, Pune.
2. Filer,
Black Japan – any local hardware store.
3. Benzene
– Anand Chemical Shoppee, on Alka Talkies – Tulshibaug road, Pune. (on left
side after 4-5 shops).
A chemical shoppee ahead of Anand Chemical Shoppee
(leaving 3-4 shops on left side).
4. Bee
wax, bitumen powder, nitric acid – P.H. Gandhi Chemical Shoppee, Mandai.
5. Burnisher
– Bohari Ali.
For more information, you can check out the videos available on
YouTube.com
Raajeev Gandhi,
M.F.A. (Graphic)
Gandhi Computers, Pune – 411041
Contact - 9552324111 / 020 24350026
Thank you !!!
