Polymer-gravure with photo-etching and woodcut
Polymer-gravure etching is an intaglio technique that uses commercially developed photopolymer plates. A transparent positive is exposed to the plate, which has been pre-coated with a thin layer of light-sensitised polymer. When developed or ‘etched’ with water, a shallow image is produced on the plate with a subtle tonal range.
Photogravure etching is an intaglio process in which a continuous-tone photographic or computer-generated positive is exposed to a light-sensitive gelatine ground, which transferred to a metal (usually copper) plate. The ground acts as an acid-resistant layer. The plate is then submerged in a series of acid baths of varying strengths, which ‘bites’ the exposed metal, leaving an image with a full tonal range.
A woodcut is a relief print made from a block of wood (in this case, multiple blocks of wood for the cuboid graphic in the centre of the print). Sharp tools are used to cut away areas of the wooden surface to create the design. Ink is then applied to the surface of the block using a roller. Paper is laid on top of the block and the image transferred on to the paper, either using a press or by hand pressure.