Saturday 18 October 2008

lukewarm

Today was the first time I had tried out the photopolymer plates. I haven't fallen in love with them but I'm really in like with them.

I had been using D-Limonene (Tri-Art) cleaner and regular vegetable oil for my clean up process. But since I was trying the Boxcar base and the photopolymer plates today, it was suggested by many that I use California Wash so as not to damage them. Considering that the items were a bit on the pricey side, I didn't want to take the chance at screwing anything up. So first thing I had to do was transfer some of the California Wash (I got delivered on Friday) into a small bottle. I couldn't very well use the wash straight out of the gallon can. To my horror, the wash smelled toxic! I suppose I should've expected that. But being used to harmless Canola oil and the orange scent of the D-Limonene, I was petrified of the new cleaner. If I'm going to use this stuff, I think I'll have to dilute it with 50% water.

I should've called it day right then.

But instead, I cut up my plate and placed it on the base. So far so good. I did a test print and liked the results, except for the residual ink that was being caught on the top of my plate.

I had anticipated limited placements of my gauge pins and had some make-shift place-holders on hand. They are like those sticky photo-corners you find in scrapbooks. So, no smashing the base over here.

I had some text on my plate and found a bit of trouble getting my cardstock to line up so that the "new year's cheer" was straight. Seemed that no matter how many times I moved my pins up or down, I just wasn't getting the copy straight. Very frustrating. And so, I split the text and image up into two. This part was actually liberating because you can't do that with magnesium plates.

In doing that, I decided that the card needed the same image printed again but in a different colour and position. Instead of having to move and lock up the forme, I just had to lift the plate and re-adjust on the base. Easy.

Another thing I like about the plate/base system is that I found very little bruising on the other side of the cardstock. I suppose that's because the photopolymer is much softer than the magnesium and gives some way under pressure. Yet, it still gives a nice impression on the paper!

I've got two more holiday plates to press with and looking forward to the results.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh those birdies are so super cute! Delivering your gifts with joy

t a n y a said...

Yes! And the bubbles around the birdies make them look like they had a little champagne ;)

Anonymous said...

ha ha, that's right! Like drunken birdies, the perfect way to wish someone a happy holidays, peace in the new year

Bespoke Letterpress Boutique said...

the joys of polymer! I couldn't imagine printing any other way now :) Your prints look great!

t a n y a said...

thank you bespoke press! I did another round of printing with the polymer and I was quite happy with how it turned out - stay tuned for the next post.

Minh Tam Nguyen said...

Where did you get your califonia wash? Still waiting for my boxcare base and plates to get here, and I was also going to use the D-lim and oil to clean up. But if it's going to ruin the base and polymer, I guess I'll have to find the cali wash too. Oh, and also wanted to know where you get your paper, looks so nice!

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