Here is my copper plate all carved and ready for printing. It is 5 inches by 7 inches. There on the left is the tool I used to carve the lines. The carving is called dry point because no acid was used to etch the lines.
Next step is to spread etching ink onto the plate using a plastic card. After working to get the ink on, then you scrape off as much as you can using the plastic card again.
Taking off the ink takes multiple steps. First I used the card. Then I use pages out of phone book to rub off more ink.
Now the plate looks like this but there is still too much ink on the surface.
So, I rub the plate with a tarletan and then wipe with a soft cotton cloth.
Once the only visible ink is the ink in the scratches, then the plate is ready to go on the press. UMA has two presses, Charlie and Lucy. I am using Lucy.
The paper is centered over the plate. The paper has been soaking in water because damp paper will take the ink better. The paper can't be too wet so it does get dried with a fluffy towel before going to the press.
Down go the three blankets and the press table is cranked under the roller.
On the other side of the roller, up go the blanket,s and the paper is peeled off the plate. Did it turn out?
YES! ONE done! Only 9 more to do.