DESIGN PRODUCTION - EMBOSSING WORKSHOP

Today we had a workshop that introduced us to the embossing process, focusing on creating a copper plate for an emboss/deboss.

We started the session by having a brief discussion regarding the process.

Below are some important points discussed;

• Plates can be made from plastic, wood, card, mdf or wooden mount-board.
• The material you emboss has to be weaker than your emboss plate.
• A deeper plate depth does not always make for a better print.
• Two types of embossing one raises the surface of the paper the other lowers it.
• Metal plates work best for lowering the stock.
• Tiny fonts don't come out that well.
• Some papers work better under different pressures, make sure you experiment to find the optimum pressure.

• To start the process the copper plate needs to be sanded down so that the surface is smooth and free from any deep surface scratches.

• Next, degrease the plate by pouring degreaser onto the plate while scrubbing it with a sponge, once clean rinse with water.

• The best method of drying is to blot the plate with newsprint.

• Place the plate face down on a sheet of tracing paper.

• Peel away the frosted sheet from the light sensitive paper and carefully lay over the plate, ensure that there are no air bubbles trapped between the paper and plate.
• Tighten the press to as tight as it will go and and send the plate through the press.
• Once out the other side check for bubbles and wrinkles and send it back through the press.

• Trim off the excess using a razor blade.

• Solution - Sodium carbonate, approximately 10g to 1L of water.
• Use hot water at first to dilute the powder then add up to the liter mark with cold water. The solution need to be 18 Degrees Celsius.
• Best to do three mixes as it levels the solidity and temperature out.

• Use scotch tape (magic tape) to hold the plate and the positive together in the exposure.

• When exposing place the positive ink side down.
• Any lettering should be reversed.

• The plate needs 9-10 light units in the exposing machine.

• After the exposure you need to remove the clear layer of the light sensitive film and place the plate in the liquid solution prepared before.
• For a normal photo etching the plate will need two minutes in the solution.
• For an emboss the plate will need up to ten minutes in the solution.
• While in the solution rub the plate with a sponge at intervals of around thirty seconds.

• Once the plate has been in the solution for around ten minutes you can remove it and rinse with cold water.
• Then dry with newsprint.
• Use the light to check for small imperfections left on the plate.

• Once the plate has hardened tape up the back of the plate with parcel tape ensuring that there are no gaps or bubbles.
• Then trim the excess using a razor blade. 

• But the hook right up to the plate and attach it to the back using brown parcel tape.
• The hook holds the plate while in the acid.

• Place the plate into the acid and leave for around eight hours.
• Turn the plate at four hours to even out the acid etching.

• To prepare the plate for the press you need to first place the plate down with your chosen stock on top. 
• Next, place a wad of tissue paper or newsprint on top of the paper and place the arrangement into the press.

• Before pumping the hydraulic press tighten the screw and ensure that the black button is out.
• Next, pump the handle until it wont go any further and then press in the black button.
• Keep pumping
• The higher the pressure the cleaner the emboss will be.
• Pump until around 360 bar of pressure and then untighten the screw to release the pressure.