Etching Ingredients SEARCH THE SITE
TIP: Using and Purchasing Copper Sulfate
Safe to Use: Use it Safely!
Remember, Copper Sulfate is still a chemical and toxic to humans if ingested, so make sure you follow safety instructions and read MSDS sheets prior to use. Always wear gloves, goggles and a mask when handling any etching chemicals. Do not touch, inhale or ingest.
Safe to Ship!
For the printmaker who wants to use the Saline Sulfate Etch, getting hold of small (rather than industrial) quantities of Copper Sulfate is easy. I recently ordered a 5lb bag of Copper Sulfate Crystals over the internet. Because it is a low hazard material, the delivery came by ordinary mail services - simple, safe and economical too. No need for the specialist carriers required when shipping traditional printmaking mordants
For Copper Sulfate Supplies: Wammock Farm Services Inc. www.wammocks.com
Click for ingredients/product options for:
HARD GROUND
AQUATINT
STOP-OUT VARNISH
STRIPPING SOLUTIONS
HARD GROUND OPTIONS _______________________________________
Z-Acryl Stop-Out Solution may chip if applied too thickly
Z-Acryl Hard Ground easy to strip off using soda ash
Lascaux Hard Resist add KOH-I-NOOR black for a black ground
Graphic Chemical W/B Relief Ink works as a hard ground when fully dried
easy to draw into
Orono Ground works as a hard ground when fully dried
easy to draw into
Crisco baking fat or similar cover plate evenly and draw!
somewhat messy, but a great ground
cleans off with dish soap
great and easy resist for re-etching
Vaseline or wax crayons etc as above
Lascaux 2060
clear gloss varnish dilute with 5% to 10% water
add KOH-I-NOOR black to color
best acrylic ground for re-etching
also works on polished plates
Hard and Soft Ground Intaglio Manual Printmaking Resources
Left: Speedball Screenfiller
Right: Badger Aquatint Solution
Images: Polymetaal
see Suppliers in PRINTMAKING RESOURCES
Speedball Screenfiller dilute with 20% to 30% water
very velvety tones
red color
Future or KLEAR
acrylic floor polish add KOH-I-NOOR black and 5% to 10% water
black dots = great visibility on all metals
easy stripping in soda ash
Badger Aquatint Solution very corrosion resistant
requires removal in strong alkaline
Lascaux 2060
clear gloss varnish add KOH-I-NOOR black
also works as a hard ground
Golden GAC 200 Medium dilute with 15% to 20% water
add KOH-I-NOOR black
very corrosion resistant
Z-Acryl Hard Ground can be sprayed as an aquatint
Left: Z-Acryl Stop-Out Resist
Right: Z-Acryl Hard Ground Emulsion
Images: Polymetaal
see Suppliers in PRINTMAKING RESOURCES
Future or KLEAR
acrylic floor polish works best on sanded surfaces
de-oxidize plates before reworking
Note on De-Oxidizing (for Brass and Copper only)
Mix 1kg of cooking salt with 1 pint of white vinegar and 1 to 2 liters of water
Use to clean copper after etching the plates and before further resists are applied.
Highly recommended for multiple applications of spray aquatint.
Z-Acryl Hard Ground works best on sanded surfaces
de-oxidize plates before reworking
Lascaux Hard Resist good for re-etching
Lascaux 2060
clear gloss varnish great for re-etching
takes a good line
Mix the above with 40% to 60% black acrylic paint for an all round stop-out varnish
that is easier to strip
Any acrylic paint OK as an etching resist
will eventually come off due to high pigment
content
Other acrylic binders and mediums likely to work as an etching resist but many
are too hard to remove
and are unsuitable for line work
STRIPPING SOLUTIONS _________________________________________
Orange Zest Solvents Acrylic resists strip off easily with the new citrus-based solvents.
Z*Acryl D*Solve is an excellent product.
"This truly revolutionary solvent was formulated as an alternative to petroleum-based turpentines and thinners. It is made from 100% renewable agricultural resources of soy, corn, and citrus, and is non-polluting, non-carcinogenic, and bio-degradable. Less than a teaspoon will thoroughly clean a large plate. DSolve will even strip dried ink from etched lines." Dick Blick
Soda Ash Stripping Bath Most acrylic resists strip off easily in a concentrated
bath of sodium carbonate.
Dissolve 1kg of sodium carbonate powder in
3 to 4 liters (1 gallon) of hot water.
Leave plates to soak for 10 minutes.
Silkscreen Screen Cleaner Products based on Sodium Metaperiodate can strip
etching acrylics with ease.
Scrub plates with domestic scouring powder
e.g. Ajax or Comet with HOT WATER.
Use a scouring pad to remove any acrylic residues.
Intaglio Manual Printmaking Resources