Name: Nick Osetek & Tessa Chambers Date: 4/12/2018
Room Temperature: 68*F Humidity, etc: Dry
Experiment Title: Continuation of Bath Strength Test – 3 and 5 minute plates
Experiment Goal: To etch multiple 3 and 5 minute plates in both the original bath and the control bath. We will be monitoring each bath’s strength, and try to find a point where the bath levels out to create consistency.
Plate Material: Aluminum (5052)
Plate Preparation: We buffed each plate with fine grit steel wool, then degreased with Bon Ami and soy sauce, lastly we backed our plates with contact paper.
Evaluation of Plate Preparation: We accidentally backed the wrong side of the 3 minute plate. So we had to degrease again and back.
Etching Bath Notes: The bath’s pH seems to rise noticeably when the plates are in the bath etching. When there’s no plate in the bath the pH drops.
Time in Bath: 3 min, 5 min
After Bath Evaluation: Our original bath has stayed the same milky green colour. The control bath is starting to turn greener from use.
Removal of grounds: N/A
Inking Methods: Bone black oil based etching, 10% burnt plate oil, wiped normally
Paper Type: Hahnemuhle Copperplate
Soaking Time: 30 minutes
Press, blanket set up, and pressure: Praga press, 2 blankets, 4/9-right 5/9-left
Conclusion: Tones etched in our original bath remained consistent with our other 3 and 5-minute plates. The plates etched in the control bath were lighter compared to the past 3 and 5-minute plates.
3-minute etch comparisons from our main, original bath.
3-minute etch comparisons from our control (untouched) bath
5-minute etch comparisons from our main, original bath.
5-minute etch comparisons from our control (untouched) bath.