Photo-engraving, Photo-etching and Photo-lithography in Line and Half-tone / Also Collotype and Heliotype

by W. T. Wilkinson

Before proceeding to instruction for etching these photographic transfers into relief, we will consider the method of dealing with the direct transfer of drawings, in line or chalk, to zinc, without the intervention of photography.

For direct transfers to zinc, the picture is drawn by the artist the exact dimensions of the finished block; if in line, on ordinary lithographic writing transfer paper, in ordinary lithographic writing ink, just in the same way that an ordinary line subject is treated for ordinary lithography.

If the subject is in chalk, it may be drawn on a grained lithographic stone, which is rolled up, etched, washed out, again rolled up, then the transfer is pulled; or the picture may be drawn upon specially prepared transfer paper, like Josz’s polygraphic transfer paper, or other grained paper made for the purpose; or the subject may already be on stone, as a lithograph, or it may be a copper-plate engraving, in which case transfers are pulled and then put down upon zinc in the ordinary way.

In making drawings on lithographic transfer paper, great care must be taken to avoid touching the surface with the fingers, as finger-marks will transfer and roll up black. In line work all lines must be firm and black; no attempt must be made to get effect by using thin or pale ink.

In chalk work, also, the drawing must be firm and strong, and the corrections and alterations made on the transfer, not left to be done on the stone. If the corrections or alterations are small, they may be removed with an ink eraser, or by careful washing with turpentine, so that all the chalk is removed; if the {52} correction be large, paste a piece of clean transfer paper over the place, spreading the paste as thin as possible; gum must not be used.

The drawing on transfer paper being obtained, the next step is to transfer it to stone; then, after rolling up and proving, another transfer is made, which is to zinc.

From an engraved copper plate a transfer is made on India or upon Scotch transfer paper, on either a copper-plate press or a lithographic press, and then transferred direct to the zinc.

The engraved copper plate is first of all examined to see that all the old ink is out of the lines; if not, wash with turpentine and wipe quite dry; then, in a piece of clean linen rag, tie up some plate re-transfer ink; warm the copper plate, either on the hot plate or over a Bunsen burner, until it can be barely held in the hand; then, holding it in a piece of cloth to protect the fingers, rub in the ink tied up in the linen rag, until sufficient is melted to well cover the surface, taking care to see that the ink is rubbed well into the lines. Then take a piece of clean, soft rag and wipe off the ink from the surface of the plate carefully, so as not to remove it from the reversed lines; this is best secured by wiping across the lines, not with them. When the surface of the plate is quite free from ink, rub the lower part of the palm of the hand upon a ball of whiting, and proceed to polish the surface of the plate. Do not get too much whiting upon the hand, else it may stick to the ink and prevent it adhering to the transfer paper.

Now place a piece of clean transfer paper (India or Scotch), a little larger than the plate, face downward upon a piece of clean paper, sponge the back with a damp sponge, then let it lie a few minutes, so as to get evenly damp all through.

Now see that the press is ready. If a copper-plate press is to be used, see that the bed is free from grit, and that the blankets are in place; if a lithographic press is to be used, put in a stone, wipe it free from grit, and see that the scraper is all right; remove the tympan if of leather, but if of zinc or millboard it is all right. Now put the inked and polished copper plate upon the stone, and the damp transfer paper, face down, upon the copper plate; then upon the transfer paper place a piece of printer’s blanket, turn down the tympan, or put a piece of thin millboard over the blanket, run the bed of the press under the scraper, turn down the lever, and, if necessary, adjust the pressure (a good nip is necessary), then run the bed through; now raise the lever, pull out the bed, lift the tympan and blanket, reverse the plate, and pull {53} through again. Now gently warm the plate, and carefully lift away the transfer paper, which should contain the picture with every line firm and sharp; if it is not so, sufficient pressure has not been used, or the transfer paper has been made too damp, or sufficient ink has not been put into the lines.