. .ImagOn Process Index

.  ImagOn Techniques 

..Projects   
   
..Schedule   

 . Ink Modifiers   

..Printing    
    
 .Ink Cleanup    

 .Plate Prep    

 .Use of Photocopies   

 . Additives & Cleaners   

 . Olec Exposure Unit   

 .Basic ImagOn Process 

Recommended procedure:   

Prepare Plate 
• see Plate Prep Handout
I 
Adhere ImagOn to plate 
see Basic ImagOn Process Handout

• This technique for making a stencil, not a plate, also takes advantage of the adhesive and transparent qualities of ImagOn film. This technique was designed for those printmakers who want to acquire images from any printed media. Most printed media, such as magazine and newspaper, have printed images and text on both sides of the paper. This technique allows printmakers to isolate an image on one side of the printed media and transfer this image directly to the ImagOn film. In this instance the ImagOn film acts only as stencil not as a vehicle for holding ink on to a plate.  The quality of the actual image transferred varies greatly between different types of printed media and for this reason it is recommended that this stencil technique be used in conjunction with other intaglio-type techniques such as the Layered Intaglio-Type or the Wash/Drawing Intaglio-Type.  

• Remove the peel back layer from the ImagOn film and lay this film on to the etching press bed. Sprits this ImagOn emulsion with the alcohol/water solution (1 part alcohol to 3 parts water) then carefully lay the side of the printed media that you wish to transfer in direct contact with the ImagOn emulsion. At this point there is a tacit bond between the printed media and the ImagOn film. Gently lift the film and with a pair of scissors and trim the film edge to the same size as the image. Replace this film and printed image back on to the press bed and roll it through the press as you would to print a plate. Once through the press the film is then taken to a photo-developing tray half-full of water and submerged into this water. Because most developing trays have grooves it is a good idea to place a smooth metal plate on to the base of this water tray before placing the ImagOn film into it. Once in the water the top side of the printed media can be removed by rubbing with the fingers in a similar way that was described in the N-H-Type. Eventually not only can the top image from the printed media be removed but also all of the paper that was used to for this particular page. Once all paper residues have been removed all that remains is the ink from the image to be transferred which is now embedded into the ImagOn emulsion. What is left is a piece of ImagOn film that has ink, from the acquired image, impregnated into its surface. This then can act as a stencil when combined with one of the Intaglio-type techniques. Generally this particular technique allows for the perfect transfer of newspaper images as these images are usually printed with coarse halftone screens and poor quality paper. Generally the higher the quality of print media the less will be the quality of the transferred image. The abstract effects created from image acquisition from high quality magazines may appeal to some artists.

 

Printing the Etched Intaglio-Type plate 
After the plate has etched it can be printed with the ImagOn emulsion still intact on the plate. This makes the plate easier to wipe and may preserve some minute details that did not etch. It is advisable to proof the plate first with the ImagOn emulsion on the plate and then with this emulsion removed. Comparing both results will enable you to determine exactly which areas of the plate did actually etch. The ImagOn emulsion is removed in the same manner described under the Basic ImagOn Process Handout. It should also be noted that further image manipulation can occur if the ImagOn emulsion is selectively removed from the plate. Sanding with 600-grit sandpaper can most easily control this. Where the ImagOn emulsion is retained on the plate there will be no plate tone and where the ImagOn is removed there will be plate tone. 
• see Printing Handout

• Vegetable oil (canola) and a rag.
• Degrease with magnesium carbonate.
• Put up all paper, plates, inks on personal or appropriate studio shelf and drawers.

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