Abstract:
A printmaking process that utilizes phosphorescent transfer plates as the method for producing prints is disclosed. Specifically, this invention uses an engraved plate, which is coated with viscous phosphorescent paint. Once the paint on the plate is dry, the plate is exposed to light, causing the paint to become light-emitting. The plate is then placed in contact with photo-sensitive emulsion. After the proper exposure time, the photo-sensitive emulsion is developed, thereby producing a print. This invention can generate a wide array of prints. For example, black and white prints can be created under this invention. Further, prints containing a variation of tones between black and white and/or prints containing texture can be manufactured under this invention. Finally, color prints can be produced under this invention.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a method of printmaking, and more specifically a method of printmaking that utilizes an engraved plate, which is then coated with viscous phosphorescent paint and placed in contact with a photo-sensitive emulsion, thereby producing a print. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     A print is a form of art composed of ink on paper. A print is created not by drawing directly on paper, but rather through an indirect transfer process. The artist begins by creating an image on another surface. After the image is formed, the artist covers that surface with ink. A sheet of paper is then placed in contact with the inked surface and run through a printing press. Due to the pressure exerted by the press, the image is transferred from the surface to the paper, producing a print. 
     Various printmaking techniques have evolved throughout the years. The three best known techniques are (1) relief printing, (2) intaglio printing, and (3) lithographic printing. While all three techniques produce prints, the way the prints are produced by each technique is unique. Therefore, each technique necessitates a separate discussion. 
     Relief printing is the oldest, most direct method of printing. In this technique, the artist starts with a block of wood, or other smooth, flat surface. Next, the artist cuts away the entire flat surface, except for the image itself. The raised portion of the surface, which is the image, is then rolled with ink. After the image is inked, a sheet of paper is placed on top of the block and either placed in a press or hand-burnished. The paper is then lifted away from the block and the image appears, in reverse, on the paper. 
     Contrary to relief printing, in intaglio printing (e.g., etching and engraving) the image is formed below the surface of the plate. The image is hand-cut or acid-etched into a flat, metal plate by the artist. Once the image is complete, the artist spreads inks over the plate. Next, the artist removes the ink from the surface of the plate, leaving only the ink that remains in the incised design. The plate is then placed face-up on an etching press. A sheet of dampened paper is laid on top of the plate, padded with felt blankets, and run through the press. Pressure forces the paper into the etched lines of the image, which consequently produces the image, in reverse, on the paper. 
     Conversely to both relief printing and intaglio printing, lithographic printing relies on the simple principle of the incompatibility of oil and water. In lithographic printing, an artist creates an image by using oil-based materials on a flat surface while keeping the areas not to be printed wet with water. Next, the artist deposits oil-based ink onto a stone that adheres only to the image. The inked stone is then covered with paper and placed on a lithographic press. The pressure from the press creates the image, in reverse, on the paper. 
     While relief, intaglio, and lithographic printing are the most popular techniques, all printmaking techniques have been a popular medium in the art world for centuries. Printmaking is a popular medium because it allows an artist to create multiple, almost identical impressions of the same block or plate. Unfortunately, there are a few common characteristics between the different printmaking techniques that currently restrict students, who are constrained by resources, and printmakers from fully exploring and developing the art of printmaking. 
     First, the current methods of printmaking require a great deal of time. For example, a plate must be re-inked after a print is produced. Also, one press must often be shared by many students and printmakers; and if there is no press, students and printmakers must spend their lime hand-burnishing their prints. Thus, replacing a plate&#39;s ink, waiting to use the press, and hand-burnishing a print all consume a great deal of a time—time that could be better spent learning new aspects of printmaking. 
     Second, the current methods of printmaking require a large volume of expensive printing equipment. For instance, a printing press and lithography chemicals are needed to attain high quality and quantity prints. This requirement restricts both students and printmakers who cannot obtain a printing press and/or lithography chemicals. Moreover, even if the proper equipment can be obtained, the edges of a plate gradually round and collapse due to the high pressure of the press. This rounding and collapsing of the plate lessens the quality of the print over time. Therefore, the constraints posed by the necessary printing equipment greatly restrict both students and printmakers. 
     Third, even if the proper printing equipment can be obtained, and regularly replaced, the equipment has limitations. For example, tonal variations in prints cannot be obtained in woodcuts. Consequently, students and printmakers must move to metal etchings and lithography, which use a vast number of chemicals and still require an ink application after every print. 
     Thus, there is a need for an efficient printmaking process so that students and printmakers are not forced to expend their time re-inking a plate, waiting for a press, or hand-burnishing a print. There is a further need for a printmaking method that does not require a high quantity of quality printmaking equipment. Finally, there is a need for a printmaking method that allows students and printmakers to achieve tonal variations in their prints. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These needs and others may be met by the present invention which has an aspect which is a printmaking method comprised of four main steps. The first step of the method requires that a plate be provided in which one surface of the plate contains cavities that form an image. These cavities can be formed by engraving, etching, or carving into the surface of the plate. The second step of the method requires that a coating of viscous phosphorescent paint be applied over the surface of the plate. The third step of the method requires that the plate be exposed to light and placed in contact with a photo-sensitive emulsion, such as photographic paper or liquid-photographic emulsion. The final step of the method requires that the photo-sensitive emulsion be developed, thereby producing the finished print. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is a print comprised of a developed photo-sensitive emulsion, which has been exposed to a plate containing an image coated with light-emitting viscous phosphorescent paint. The print can be a black and white print, a black and white print containing tonal variations and/or texture, a monochromatic print, or a color print. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are not limiting but are intended to provide further explanation of the invention claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, arc included to illustrate and provide a further understanding of the method and system of the invention. Together with the description, the drawings serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     These and further aspects and advantages of the invention will be discussed more in detail hereinafter with reference to the disclosure of preferred embodiments, and in particular with reference to the appended Figures wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an etched plate; 
     FIG. 2A is a top plan view of an etched plate in which the cavities have been filled, according to the present invention, with viscous phosphorescent paint; 
     FIG. 2B is a top plan view of the print produced by the plate shown in FIG. 2A; 
     FIG. 3A is a top plan view of an etched plate in which the cavities have been filled and the plate&#39;s surface painted, according to the present invention, with viscous phosphorescent paint; 
     FIG. 3B is a top plan view of the print produced by the plate shown in FIG. 3A; 
     FIG. 4A is a top plan view of an etched plate in which two different types of cavities have been filled and the plate&#39;s surface painted, according to the present invention, with viscous phosphorescent paint; 
     FIG. 4B is a top plan view of the print produced by the plate shown in FIG. 4A; 
     FIG. 5A is a top plan view of an etched plate in which the surface of the plate has been painted with colored acetate, and the cavities have been filled with viscous phosphorescent paint, according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 5B is a top plan view of the print produced by the plate shown in FIG. 5A; 
     FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the plate as shown in FIG. 4A taken through line  6 - 6 ′ before the application of viscous phosphorescent paint; 
     FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the plate as shown in FIG. 4A taken through line  6 - 6 ′ after the application of viscous phosphorescent paint; 
     FIG. 7A is schematic cross-sectional view of a plate containing three cavities that vary in depth and width; 
     FIG. 7B is a top plan view of the print produced by the plate shown in FIG. 7A; and 
     FIG. 8 schematic top view of a hinged device that can be used when making prints according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     While the present invention is capable of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated. 
     FIG. 1 shows an example of a wood, metal, stone, or a light, permanently transparent, water-resistant, thermoplastic plate  20  used in conjunction with the present invention. Although the plate  20  may be made of wood, metal, stone, or a light, permanently transparent, water-resistant, thermoplastic, it is preferably made of wood. The plate  20  has a vertical side  10  and a horizontal side  12 . The plate also has a plate surface  14  which is generally flat. However, the plate can be etched, engraved, or carved in order to produce cavities  16  in the plate&#39;s surface  14 . In FIG. 1, the cavities  16  in the plate  20  form the image of a balloon  18 . 
     FIG. 2A shows the plate  20  described in FIG. 1 after the uniform application of viscous phosphorescent paint  22  over the plate&#39;s surface  14 . The viscous phosphorescent paint  22  can be applied with a squeegee, paint brush, putty knife, or any other tool that can force the viscous phosphorescent paint  22  into the plate&#39;s cavities  16 . All the viscous phosphorescent paint  22  is removed from the plate&#39;s surface  14  after application. The viscous phosphorescent paint  22  contained in the plate&#39;s cavities  16  is then allowed to dry, and once dried, the paint  22  becomes part of the plate  20 . Any viscous phosphorescent paint  22  that remains on the plate&#39;s surface  14  is sanded off. 
     Traditional black and white photo-emulsion surface chemicals: paper developer, stop bath, and fixer, are prepared in a light-proof room under a safelight. The developer is prepared by combining sodium sulfite (CAS#7757-83-7), sodium carbonate (CAS#497-19-8), hydroquinone (CAS#123-31-9), and water. The stop bath is prepared by combining acetic acid and water. The fixer is prepared by combining sodium thiosulfate (7772-98-7), ammonium alum (7784-25-0), sodium metabisulfate (7681-57-4), sodium acetate (127-09-3), boric anhydride (1303-86-2), and water. All of the photo-emulsion surface chemicals are combined in ratios that are specified by traditional black and white developing instructions. However, other chemicals may be used. 
     Once the traditional black and white photo-emulsion surface chemicals are prepared, the plate  20  is exposed to a light bulb for thirty seconds. Exposing the plate  20  to light causes the viscous phosphorescent paint layer  22  to become light-emitting. To ensure a light-proof environment, the light-emitting plate  20  is removed or shielded from the workspace. 
     A photo-sensitive emulsion  90 , such as photographic paper, or liquid photographic emulsion, is then placed face-up on the workspace. If the photo-sensitive emulsion  90  is flexible, the emulsion is placed on a soft and pliable surface; and if the photo-sensitive emulsion  90  is not flexible, the emulsion is placed on a hard, flat surface. As quickly as possible, the light-emitting plate  20  is placed face-down onto the photosensitive emulsion  90  for fifteen to thirty seconds. 
     The photo-sensitive emulsion  90  could also be placed face-up on the bottom component  92  of a hinged device  88  as shown in FIG.  8 . The photo-sensitive emulsion  90  is then covered with an opaque substance while the light-emitting plate  20  is placed on the top component  94  of the hinged device  88 . Once both the light-emitting plate  20  and the photo-sensitive emulsion  90  are in place, the opaque substance is removed, and the hinged device  88  is closed. The device  88  is closed for fifteen to thirty seconds, depending on the appropriate exposure time. 
     The exposure time depends on two factors: the whiteness of the photo-sensitive emulsion  90  and the age of the viscous phosphorescent paint. The whiteness of the photo-sensitive emulsion  90  affects the exposure time because light emitted from the plate  20  can be reflected by the photo-sensitive emulsion  90  back onto the plate  20 , causing the phosphorescent particles of the paint to recharge. If the phosphorescent particles of the paint are recharged, the exposure time will be altered. The age of the viscous phosphorescent paint  22  also affects the exposure time because as the paint ages its light-emitting strength diminishes. Therefore, testing is done intermittently to determine the proper exposure time. 
     After the photo-sensitive emulsion  90  is properly exposed to the light-emitting plate  20 , the emulsion is developed using the traditional black and white photo-developing instructions. First, the photo-sensitive emulsion  90  is placed in the developer. The developing time for the photo-sensitive emulsion  90  is dependent upon the thickness of the emulsion; more developing time is allotted for thicker emulsions. Second, the photo-sensitive emulsion  90  is placed in the stop bath for thirty seconds. Third, the photo-sensitive emulsion  90  is placed in the fixer. The fixing time for the photo-sensitive emulsion  90  is dependent upon the thickness of the emulsion; more fixing time is allotted for thicker emulsions. Finally, the photo-sensitive emulsion  90  is washed with water and allowed to dry. Once the photo-developing process is complete, the emulsion is no longer light-sensitive. 
     FIG. 2B shows a print  24  created by the plate  20  shown in FIG.  2 A. The print  24  contains a mirror image  26  of the balloon image  18  shown in FIG.  2 A. The viscous phosphorescent paint  22  in the plate&#39;s cavities  16  (see FIG. 2A) forms the black lines  30  of the print  24  found in FIG. 2B; while the plate&#39;s surface  14 , which contained no viscous phosphorescent paint  22  (see FIG. 2A) creates the white background  28  of the print  24  as shown in FIG.  2 B. 
     Moreover, the area of the plate  20  and the area of the print  24  are identical. The vertical side of the plate  10  (see FIG. 2A) is the same as the vertical side of the print  32  (see FIG.  2 B). Likewise, the horizontal side of the plate  12  (see FIG. 2A) is the same as the horizontal side of the print  34  (see FIG.  2 B). 
     The print  24  is purely black and white as the carved sections  16  of the plate  20  (see FIG. 1) filled with viscous phosphorescent paint  22  will always create black sections  30  in the print  24  (see FIG.  2 B). Similarly, a surface without any viscous phosphorescent paint on it will always produce white sections  28  in the print  24 . Thus, the plate  20  with phosphorescent paint placed in contact with photo-sensitive emulsion repeatedly reproduces identical black and white prints. 
     However, because the prints are composed of photographic substances, such as photographic paper, or liquid photographic emulsion, the tone of the finished print can be altered. For example, the prints can be sepia-toned, or tinted with a monochromatic dye. 
     Additionally, a variation of tones between black and white can be achieved using the plate  20  by leaving a thin layer of viscous phosphorescent paint  22  on the plate&#39;s surface  14 . This thin layer of viscous phosphorescent paint  36  on the plate&#39;s surface will yield a gray or mid-tone area  46  in the print  40  (see FIG.  3 B). For example, FIG. 3A shows the plate  20  in FIG. 2A, with a thin layer of viscous phosphorescent paint  36  remaining on the plate&#39;s surface  14  of the image  18 . Alternatively, if no viscous phosphorescent paint remains on the plate&#39;s surface  14 , the paint can be re-applied to the plate&#39;s surface  14  of the image  18  with a paintbrush, sponge, roller, or rag. 
     As explained above, once the viscous phosphorescent paint  22  &amp;  36  is dry, the plate  20  is exposed to a light bulb causing the viscous phosphorescent paint layers  22  &amp;  36  to become light-emitting. When the light-emitting plate  20  is placed in contact with the photo-sensitive emulsion  90 , the image on the plate  20  transfers to the photo-sensitive emulsion  90 . The photo-sensitive emulsion  90  is then developed and becomes a print; such as the print  40  shown in FIG.  3 B. 
     The print  40  shown in FIG. 3B contains a mirror image  38  of the balloon  18  found in FIG.  3 A. The viscous phosphorescent paint  22  found in the plate&#39;s cavities  16  (see FIG. 3A) forms the black lines  44  of the print  40  found in FIG.  3 B. Moreover, the surface surrounding the image  18 , which contains no viscous phosphorescent paint (see FIG.  3 A), creates the white background  42  of the print  40  in FIG.  3 B. Finally, the viscous phosphorescent paint found on the image&#39;s surface  36  (see FIG. 3A) produces a gray tone  46  of the print in FIG.  3 B. 
     In addition, the area of the plate  20  and the area of the print  40  are identical. The vertical side  10  of the plate  20  (see FIG. 3A) is the same as the vertical side  48  of the print  40  (see FIG.  3 B). Likewise, the horizontal side  12  of the plate  20  (see FIG. 3A) is the same as the horizontal side  50  of the print  40  (see FIG.  3 B). Accordingly, the present invention will repeatedly produce identical black and white prints with tonal variations. 
     Furthermore, an image&#39;s distinctive details, physical composition, and structure (“texture”) can be expressed when producing a print  54  under the current invention. Texture can be achieved in a print because the artist is able to etch, engrave, or carve fine cavities into the plate&#39;s surface. 
     FIG. 4A shows the plate  20  described in FIG. 3A, however, the image of clouds is added to the plate  20 . The texture of the clouds is also added to the plate by lightly engraving, etching, or carving into the plate  20  and then filling those cavities with viscous phosphorescent paint  52 . Alternatively, texture could be formed by applying viscous phosphorescent paint to the plate&#39;s surface  14 , allowing the paint to dry, and then sanding the paint to different thicknesses. 
     As explained above, once the viscous phosphorescent paint  22 ,  36 , &amp;  52  is dry, the plate  20  is exposed to a light bulb causing the viscous phosphorescent paint layers  22 ,  36 , &amp;  52  to become light-emitting. When the light-emitting plate  20  is placed in contact with a photo-sensitive emulsion  90 , the image on the plate  20  transfers to the photo-sensitive emulsion  90 . The photo-sensitive emulsion  90  is then developed and becomes a print such as the print  54  as shown in FIG.  4 B. 
     The print  54  shown in FIG. 4B contains a mirror image  63  of the balloon  18  found in FIG.  4 A. The viscous phosphorescent paint  22  found in the plate&#39;s cavities  16  (see FIG. 4A) forms the black lines  58  of the print  54  found in FIG.  4 B. Moreover, the plate&#39;s surface  14  surrounding the image  18 , which contains no viscous phosphorescent paint  22 ,  36 , &amp;  52  (see FIG. 4A) creates the white background  56  of the print  54  as shown in FIG.  4 B. Furthermore, the viscous phosphorescent paint found on the image&#39;s surface  36  (see FIG. 4A) produces the gray tone  60  of the print as shown in FIG.  4 B. Finally, the viscous phosphorescent paint contained in the thinly etched lines  52  (see FIG. 4A) provides the texture  62  of the print  54  as shown in FIG.  4 B. 
     Additionally, the area of the plate  20  and the area of the print  54  are identical. The vertical side  10  of the plate  20  (see FIG. 4A) is the same as the vertical side  64  of the print  54  (see FIG.  4 B). Likewise, the horizontal side  12  of the plate  20  (see FIG. 4A) is the same as the horizontal side  66  of the print  54  as shown in FIG.  4 B. Accordingly, the present invention will repeatedly produce identical black and white prints, with tonal variations, and a textured surface. 
     Furthermore, color prints can be achieved when producing a print  72 , as shown in FIG. 5B, under the current invention by applying a thin layer of colored acetate  68  &amp;  70  to a light, permanently transparent, water-resistant, thermoplastic plate  20 . However, the colored acetate acts likes a colored photographic negative which produces not a true color representation, but the complement color in the positive image. Therefore, the colored acetate applied to the plate produces its complimentary color in the print. For example, if red acetate is applied to an image on the plate, the red acetate will produce its complementary color, green, in the print. Hence, the color of the image in the print will be green. 
     FIG. 5A represents a plate  20  which contains colored acetate  68  &amp;  70 . Specifically, FIG. 5A shows the plate  20  described in FIG. 2A, however, two thin layers of colored acetate  68  &amp;  70  are glued or painted onto the plate&#39;s surface. The violet acetate  68  is added to the balloon  18 , and the orange acetate  70  is added to the background of the balloon  14 . 
     As explained above, once the viscous phosphorescent paint  22  and the colored acetate  68  &amp;  70  are dry, the plate  20  is exposed to light causing the viscous phosphorescent paint layer  22  to become light-emitting. When the light-emitting plate  20  is placed in contact with the photo-sensitive emulsion  90 , the image on the plate  20  transfers to the photo-sensitive emulsion  90 . Furthermore, the colored acetate layers  68  &amp;  70  transfer their complimentary colors on the photo-sensitive emulsion  90 . Therefore, the violet acetate  68  becomes the color yellow on the photo-sensitive emulsion  90 , and the orange acetate  70  becomes the color blue on the photo-sensitive emulsion  90 . The photo-sensitive emulsion  90  is then developed according to traditional color photo-developing instructions and produces a print such as the print  72  as shown in FIG.  5 B. 
     FIG. 5B shows a resulting print  72  that is created by the plate  20  shown in FIG.  5 A. The print  72  contains a mirror image  71  of the balloon  18  found in FIG.  5 A. The viscous phosphorescent paint  22  found in the plate&#39;s cavities  16  (see FIG. 5A) forms the black lines  76  of the print  72  found in FIG.  5 B. Moreover, the violet acetate  68  found on the balloon&#39;s surface  68  (see FIG. 5A) produces the yellow balloon image  78  in the print  72  as shown in FIG.  5 B. Finally, the plate&#39;s surface  14  surrounding the image  18 , which contained the orange acetate  70 , (see FIG. 5A) creates the blue background  74  of the print  72 , as shown in FIG.  5 B. 
     In addition, the area of the plate  20  and the area of the print  72  are identical. The vertical side  10  of the plate  20  (see FIG. 5A) is the same as the vertical side  80  of the print  72 , (see FIG.  5 B). Likewise, the horizontal side  12  of the plate  20  (see FIG. 5A) equals the horizontal side  82  of the print  72  (see FIG.  5 B). Accordingly, the present invention can produce and reproduce identical, color prints. 
     FIG. 6A represents a cross-sectional view of the plate  20  shown in FIG. 4A, taken through line  6 - 6 ′, before the application of viscous phosphorescent paint  22 ,  36 , &amp;  52 . FIG. 6A shows that the depth of the plate&#39;s cavities  16  preferably will not exceed 0.2500 inches. Moreover, FIG. 6A illustrates the difference between a cavity  16  that produces a bold black line and a cavity  16  that produces a thin, textured line. 
     FIG. 6B represents a cross-sectional view of the plate  20  as shown in FIG. 4A, taken through line  6 - 6 ′, after the application of viscous phosphorescent paint  22 ,  36 , &amp;  52 . FIG. 6B shows how the viscous phosphorescent paint  22  &amp;  52  fills the plate&#39;s cavities  16  and becomes part of the plate  20 . Furthermore, FIG. 6B illustrates that the viscous phosphorescent paint layer  36  on the plate&#39;s surface  14  preferably will not exceed more then 0.0625 inches. 
     FIG. 7A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a plate  83  which shows that the depth and width of a plate&#39;s cavities  16  can vary. 
     FIG. 7B represents the print  85  produced by FIG.  7 A. Furthermore, FIG. 7B shows that there is a direct correlation between the volume of the cavity  84 , and the thickness of the black line  86  that cavity produces. In essence, the greater the volume of the cavity  84 , the thicker the black line  86  that cavity produces on the print  85 . 
     As previously mentioned, FIG. 8 shows that a hinged device  88  can be used when making prints according to the present invention. The hinged device  88  ensures that the light-emitting plate  20  is not prematurely exposed to the photo-sensitive emulsion  90 . Consequently, the hinged device  88  guarantees that blurring of the print does not occur. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the method and system of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, publishers or free-lance artists may use the concepts of this invention and create books formed from double-sided prints. Thus, the present invention is not limited by the foregoing descriptions but is intended to cover all modifications and variations that come within the scope of the spirit of the invention and the claims that follow.