Thursday 22 August 2013

Sun Sensitive Paper And Printing Methods

By Cara Torres


There are are various printing techniques where sunlight is a critical factor. These processes are called sun printing, which makes use of sun sensitive paper in all of the endeavors. Another common thing they all have in common would be their use of sunlight as a fixative or developing agent.

There are several techniques that can be used for these processes. One such technique is called cyanotype. It is also known as blueprinting and it happens to be the oldest non silver photographic process in existence. This technique involves the exposure of materials that have been treated with solutions of potassium ferricynide and ferric ammonium citrate to the sun, which is a UV source.

Blocking UV light from sensitized material can achieve positive images as well as negative. It will likely retain the image even after a thorough rinsing with water. After it has dried up, the exposed part may turn a particular shade of blue as the remaining parts remain the same color by default.

Another way is to make use of a specialized type of vat dye known as Inkodye. This can be used for this process due to its light sensitive quality. They differ from other vat dyes since they do not make use of oxygen in order to develop the color. Instead, these Inkodyes are developed by the light.

When it becomes exposed to UV, it improves upon its originally colorless form from when it was still suspended in that leuco form. It will resemble cyanotype in terms of usage but there are some notable differences between them as well. Mainly, these are utilized on textiles and exist in a full range of colors.

The time it needs to be exposed may vary between three minutes to fifteen. It all depends on what the color is and what intensity level is exhibited by the light. Once it has been exposed, the material must now be washed with both soap and water for the dye to be removed from areas that are unexposed.

Another method of sun printing will refer to the photographic process that makes use of potassium dichromate. This is known to produce a negative plate for lithographic printing. A film of gelatine is used by this process and is to be spread all over a surface that is flat and rigid.

Potassium dichromate in a dilute solution is usable for coating the surface before it can be dried in a condition with low brightness. The gelatine layer needs to be secure and in tight contact with with translucent positives since its to be exposed to sunlight for about thirty minutes. The light and potassium dichromate will, at this point, tan the gelatine

The plate can be developed by washing it with warm water and having the untanned gelatine removed. After it is dry, the relief print is now revealed on the plate itself. This surface can be inked and then printed if a mass production of identical prints is needed. These, along with sun sensitive paper is all that is needed to accomplish these techniques.




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