The intaglio printing process I am using in Character Traits
is fairly standard, with just a few peculiarities based on my use of
photopolymer plates. For most of the plates, particularly those with
thicker line work, I need to modify the ink I'm using by adding a
substantial quantity of magnesium carbonate. Without the magnesium, the
ink is too easily wiped out of the lines prior to printing, and, during
printing, has trouble holding a crisp edge. Polymer plates also present
some difficulty during the inking and wiping process due to their light
weight—they don't want to sit still, and an already messy process
quickly becomes unmanageable. To compensate, I am taking advantage of
the plates' steel backing by sticking them on Bunting magnetic bases
while inking and wiping. This keeps the plate in place and gives me a
larger surface on which to work. To protect the surface of the magnetic
bases I place a sheet of stiff cover stock between plate and base. The
paper barrier also makes lifting the plate from the magnet much easier
than it would be otherwise.
For most plates, the steps are as follows:
Place the plate down on the paper-covered magnetic base
Wipe with tarlatan twice (with each tarlatan session I use progressively
cleaner pieces of material to prevent ink transferring back to the
plate from the tarlatan)
Wipe with the edge of my hand vertically, horizontally, and at 45 degrees. Then wipe a third time with tarlatan
Lift the plate off the magnetic base and use a galley magnet to hold the plate while wiping the edges with mineral spirits
Place the plate on the bed of the press
