The first step is to decide how many different colors will be required
to
complete the print. The Chuck Close,
“Lyle” print uses 149 different colors.
Each color requires a separate plate.
The plate is a transparent acetate
material with an opaque drawing of
the shapes that need to be printed
onto the paper.
In order to transfer the image to the
screen which is coated with a light
sensitive emulsion, the plate is placed between an ultra violet
light source
and the screen. When exposed to
the light, the desired shapes are transferred to the screen.
The screen which is constructed by stretching polyester fabric
over an aluminum frame is placed on a flat
table with hinges on one side. |
The print is registered under the screen. When printing 149 colors,
the registration has to be very precise.
As much as a half-gallon of ink is poured onto the
screen in order to produce a uniform coat of ink and avoid the ink
drying on the screen. With a rubber blade called a squeegee, the
printers push the ink through the screen which is in contact with
the print and the ink is transferred
to the print.
The screen is lifted and the print is removed from
the table to the drying rack. The screen is then washed to remove
the ink and emulsion. The same process is repeated
for each print in the edition.
|
