relief Solarplate shown with print
Solarplates
Create Printing Plates Using the Sun!
Make relief or intaglio printing plates without toxic processing. Solarplates are easy to make and incredibly adaptable. Depending on the materials used to create the transparency, prints will resemble woodblock prints, etchings, lithographs, screen prints, or photogravure. There is no need for expensive equipment or toxic chemicals to create these durable plates.
The relief depth is 0.023" (0.5842mm) and the overall thickness (steel base plus photopolymer) is 0.0327" (0.83058mm).
No Flaws, No Dings
We do our best to make sure every Solarplate we send out
is the highest quality. We carefully check each plate to
make sure there are no flaws, dings or scratches in the
emulsion before shipping it to you.
Fast and Easy Plate Making
To make a Solarplate print, a piece of artwork is copied
or created on transparent film. The film is laid on top
of the Solarplate polymer, which is both light sensitive
and water-soluble. When light from the sun (or any UV
light source) hits the plate, it hardens. The parts of
the plate blocked from light remain soluble and are
washed away with tap water. Intaglio plates are created
from a positive image on the film; relief plates are
created from negative images.
Either oil-based or soy-based inks can be used to create prints from Solarplates. Water-based ink can soften the photopolymer and are not recommended.
Book and DVD Available
Filmed in the studio of master printmaker and educator Dan
Welden, the Printmaking in the Sun
DVD shows every step of making relief and
intaglio prints using Solarplates.
Solarplate Notes by Barbara Mason is a short guide to Solarplate printmaking full of inspiring tips and ideas.