I'm not familiar with Photopolymer or Photogravure and I was wondering if there's a decent non-toxic alternative to Solarplate that is as versatile and easy to use?

There are a number of photopolymer films that are used for intaglio-type printing. Look at the Cape Fear Press web site for one alternative, there's also ImagOn, and Z-acryl (I think that's what its called), and probably others.

David.

Thanks for responding, David. I just assumed that the Photopolymer technique required an acid etch. I like the Solarplate because it etches with water after exposed to UV light. What actually etches the plates in these other techniques?

HI, yeah i like the solar plates also but they are to expensive!

i have only used solar plates / ImgON & the CapeFearPress product

the solarplates are great but way to expensive,
the ImgON film works well, but i find it to dificult to thin down if you whant finner
lines,

so of the three i have used i like the film from CAPE FEAR PRESS the best
it is a very good product

Thanks for the input, but what is used to etch the actual plates and what are they made of? Copper?

You seem to be looking for a safer or non toxic mordant?

I have just started testing out the "saline etch" process. The mordant for that is non toxic. You use copper sulphate crystals , household slat and water. You can only etch aluminium with it although zinc can also be used.
The reason I chose to use aluminium is that the disposal of the used mordant does not require 'specialist' disposal, whereas the mordant from etching the zinc DOES.
You use the same mordant though. Perhaps you could use transfer your image using Image-on (or whichever acrylic resist photo etch application you have) on zinc and then use the saline etch mordant?

As a matter of fact , tomorrow I am going to try out transferring an image onto aluminium (I'm using "Photrak", which is what is used at the London Print Studio ). I have a feeling though that it may not transfer successfully onto the aluminium plate BUT if it does I will be delighted. Then of course I will saline etch it. Its excellent in that it takes very little time compared to the copper sulfuric mordant that we use at our print workshop (FDPW) Scotland.

hope you manage to find a solution.

Aine

You seem to be looking for a safer or non toxic mordant?

I have just started testing out the "saline etch" process. The mordant for that is non toxic. You use copper sulphate crystals , household slat and water. You can only etch aluminium with it although zinc can also be used.
The reason I chose to use aluminium is that the disposal of the used mordant does not require 'specialist' disposal, whereas the mordant from etching the zinc DOES.
You use the same mordant though. Perhaps you could use transfer your image using Image-on (or whichever acrylic resist photo etch application you have) on zinc and then use the saline etch mordant?

As a matter of fact , tomorrow I am going to try out transferring an image onto aluminium (I'm using "Photrak", which is what is used at the London Print Studio ). I have a feeling though that it may not transfer successfully onto the aluminium plate BUT if it does I will be delighted. Then of course I will saline etch it. Its excellent in that it takes very little time compared to the ferric chloride mordant that we use at our print workshop (FDPW) Scotland.

hope you manage to find a solution.

Aine

Aine, you lovely person! Thank you for your response and I wish you every success with the salt. You are correct, I am indeed looking for a healthy and less expensive alternative. I love SolarPlates for their convenience and non-toxicity. Howevr, ArtLover is also correct, they are expensive. I'm only familiar with traditional etching and SolarPlates, so I'm not really sure what changing over at this point would entail.

I note that you're from Scotland, where I long to hike and explore. I just discovered the work of The Scottish Colourists and I'm smitten with their visions. Continuing on the Scottish note, I'm friends with another Scotsman who is a Master Printer and the Director of a first rate printmaking studio here in Connecticut--about a half hour train ride from NYC. You should contact him and look into some kind of exchange.

His name is Anthony Kirk and here is a link: http://www.centerforcontemporaryprintmaking.org/

Please explore the site and let me know what you think.