Sunday, August 18, 2013

Sun Sensitive Paper And Other Means Of Printing

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.

Positive and negative images can be achieved by the blocking of UV light from the material that has been sensitized. After being thoroughly rinsed using water, the paper will still retain the image. Once it dries, the parts that were exposed may turn a shade of blue as the rest of the parts will stay more or less the same.

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.

These are dyes that are suspended in leuco form and will appear colorless until the moment comes when they are exposed to the UV . The usage therefore resembles the cyanotype, although they have notable differences in them as well. Primarily, these are used on textiles and will exist in full ranges of colors.

The exposure time will vary between three to fifteen minutes. It would depend on what the desired color is or the level of intensity displayed by the light. After being exposed, the sensitized material must be washed with soap and water so that the dye is removed from the unexposed areas.

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 being used to coat the surface before being dried in conditions with low brightness. The treated gelatine layer is to be secured in tight contact with a translucent positive as it is exposed to sunlight over a period of half an hour. At this point, both the light and the potassium dichromate will tan the gelatine being exposed to the light.

Having untanned gelatine removed and washing it out with warm water can develop the plate. Once dry, the relief print will be revealed on the plate. The surface can possibly be inked followed by printing if there is ever a need to mass produce. Accomplishing any of these methods, whether with sun sensitive paper or not requires a lot of effort and other materials.




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