As indicated above, it is hardly worth while to make negatives for this process unless the operator is a really skilful or at least an efficient photographer, and even then the final product may prove unsatisfactory.
Better results are generally to be obtained by sending to the block maker a Lumiere colour photograph with full instructions regarding any corrections in the colours which may be necessary.
Examples:—
Bateson: Mendel's Principles of Heredity, Cambridge, 1909. Church: Types of Floral Mechanism, Oxford, 1908. Seward: Darwin and Modern Science, Cambridge, 1909.
PHOTO-MECHANICAL LINE BLOCKS.—The photo-mechanical line block, commonly known as a zinco, is in a sense the lineal descendant of the wood block. As a means of reproduction the possibilities of line blocks are very great, for not only is it possible to reproduce by their means all kinds of line drawings, but also drawings in charcoal and crayon, provided they be suitably executed on a proper grained surface. In fact, an artist or draughtsman who has a thorough knowledge of the process and its capabilities can obtain extraordinary results. The process has the further advantage of being both quick and inexpensive, a few hours only being required to make the finished product.
Their mode of manufacture is the same in principle as for half-tone blocks; in the case of the latter, the method known as the enamel process was described; in the present instance a different procedure may be dealt with.
A photograph of the drawing is taken on a negative, the wet collodion process being generally followed, although dry process plates may be used.
A highly polished zinc plate is sensitised with bichromate of potash and gelatine, or by other means, and, when dry, is exposed under the negative.
The exposed metal plate is then taken into the dark room and evenly, but thinly, coated with etching ink. When the ink is dry, the plate is developed in water; the unexposed gelatine, and with it, the ink, will come away, its removal being helped by the judicious application of a dabber of wet cotton wool.