Introduction
Over the past few years, there has been a revival of interest in traditional printing methods that were used before the widespread adoption of modern printing presses. One such traditional method that is seeing renewed popularity is copper plate printing. This article explores the history and process of copper plate printing and how it is making a comeback in the modern era.
A Brief History of Copper Plate Printing
Copper plate printing has its origins in the 15th century in Europe. During this period, printers began experimenting with etching images and text into copper plates that could then be inked and used to produce prints. This allowed for reproducible and consistent printing of multiple copies of a page for the first time. Over the centuries, copper plate printing became a mainstay of printed materials until newer technologies like lithography and modern printing presses emerged in the 19th century. However, copper plate printing retains an appeal for its ability to create fine details and one-of-a-kind prints.
The Process of Copper Plate Printing
The basic process of copper plate printing involves using an intaglio technique where the image or text is etched below the surface of the plate. Artisans first draw the image onto a copper plate with an impermeable ground layer applied. Acids are then used to bite lines into the exposed copper, leaving indentations. These indentations are then inked and the excess wiped off, leaving the ink only in the recessed lines. Damp paper is laid over the inked plate and run through a printing press, which transfers the ink from the indentations onto the paper.
Creating the Plate
When creating the copper plate, artisans first clean and degrease the copper sheet to prepare the surface for drawing. A ground layer is applied to cover and protect areas that will not be etched. The image or text is then carefully drawn onto the plate in a reverse form using etching tools or by burning the lines directly with a tool. For text, typographic letters made of a non-acid resisting material are arranged to imprint the characters.
Etching the Plate
Once the drawn image is prepared, the plate is submerged in an acid bath. Different acids like nitric or ammonium bifluoride can be used depending on the desired etching effect. The acids burrow line-shaped indentations along the exposed copper lines drawn by the artist. Regular testing is done under magnification to ensure an even bite depth across the plate. Control over etching allows for fine line widths and subtle tonal gradations in the final prints.
Inking and Printing
After etching, the plate is thoroughly cleaned to remove any residual acids or grounds. It is inked using a dauber or roller to apply a thin, even layer to just the recessed lines. A drying period allows the ink to set before wiping the surface clean, leaving ink only in indentations. Damp paper is evenly applied to the inked plate and run through a printing press under pressure. The paper pulls ink from the indentations, producing a mirror image print of the plate. Multiple coloured inks can also be applied to make multi-colour prints.
Artists Rediscover the Expressive Qualities of Copper Plates
In recent years, the ability of copper plate printing to achieve fine details, rich tones and act as a creative medium has seen contemporary artists drawn to experiment with the technique. Several collaborative print shops have opened offering intaglio equipment and expertise to support modern artists working with plates. The multistep process also lends itself to creating one-of-a-kind artist prints with variations arising from uncontrolled factors like acid depth. Many admire how the plate itself becomes both the canvas and the tool to create art in this tradition.
Preserving Cultural Heritage through Copper Plate Prints
Copper plate printing also provides opportunities to reproduce and share historical artworks and documents. Projects digitizing plate holdings of museums allow open access prints of culturally important works. Others reprint archival prints to study impression variations over decades of printing. Plates can also be reproduced from archival materials like paintings. This sustains the legacy of master works and artistic traditions that may otherwise be lost to degradation of original plates. Researchers appreciate copper plates for their precision in analyzing subtle modifications in reprints over time.
Sustainability and the Future of Copper Plate Printing
While the industry is still small compared to major commercial printing processes, artisans see potential for growth through connecting to themes of sustainability and preserving traditional crafts. As a low-volume technique, copper plate producers argue for their process' comparably low environmental footprint versus mass production. The longevity of plates also means each can produce thousands of archival quality prints. With the global reach of digital access, contemporary artists now have new audiences for their explorations of this centuries-old printmaking practice. Whether documenting history or spurring new creative expressions, copper plate printing appears poised to contribute to visual culture for years to come.
Conclusion
By examining the history and techniques of copper plate printing, we see how this centuries-old intaglio process remains relevant today. Its expressive capabilities continue to inspire modern artists alongside applications conserving cultural heritage. While no longer a dominant commercial printing method, the craft and care involved in copper plate making still yield prints of unmatched quality and artistic character. With a dedicated practitioner community, this enduring tradition will likely produce works that stand the test of time for generations more to appreciate.
