Green EZ plate Intanglio printing

Green EZ Plate Intaglio Printing (Drypoint)

1. Drawing

• Please use a 6B soft pencil to draw directly on the green EZ plate.

• The green EZ plate is easy to engrave and emboss, and the plate has been specially hardened.

• It can better withstand the printmaking press machine.

2. Engraving

• Use an etching needle for direct drypoint engraving.
  (Sharpening with an awl or nail is not recommended.)

• Texture can be created using various embossing tools.

• During engraving, you can:

  • Sprinkle prickly heat powder into the sunken lines, or

  • Push black ink into the grooves with your fingers
    → to preview the engraving result.

• Use fine sandpaper to grind the tip of the etching needle to make lines smoother.

• Notes:

  • The EZ plate is easier to engrave than acrylic board.

  • Line thickness can be controlled by adjusting the pressure of the needle.

• With embossing effects and even wood engraving techniques, more varied textures can be achieved.

• For very fine, hair-like lines:

  • Prickly heat powder cannot fill them.

  • Instead, use very thin black water-based ink and push it into the grooves with your fingers to preview the effect.

3. Inking

• Fill the ink using a squeegee.

• This demonstration uses Hansen water-based ink with dry paper printing
  (the printing paper does not need to be soaked).

• Water-based ink is easy to clean and suitable for teaching.

• Dry paper printing should match the performance of the press machine and blanket.

• After engraving:

  • Lines may have burrs or bumps.

  • These can be removed using a scraper or by sanding with #600 sandpaper.

4. Wiping

• Use intaglio tarlatan to wipe the plate surface, leaving ink in the grooves.

• For a cleaner surface:

  • Use lining fabric to wipe the plate.

• The edges of the plate should be cleaned carefully:

  • You can wipe them with slightly damp lining fabric.

5. Printing Preparation

• After wiping, register the plate and place it on the press machine.

• Then cover it with printing paper.

• Before lifting the paper:

  • Make sure your hands are clean to avoid contamination.

• You can fold a card in half to help hold the paper.

• Note:

  • With water-based ink and dry paper printing, this demo uses general drawing paper.

  • The result is still clear.

6. Printing

• Carefully adjust the pressure of the press.

• Since dry paper is used, slightly higher pressure is required.

• The plate may flatten slightly:

  • Test several times and gradually increase pressure
    → to achieve the best result.

Printing Completed

(Resin plate intaglio / 16K / drawing paper)