research: safer printmaking
Part of the mission of Zea Mays Printmaking is to research new developments in safer and less-toxic printmaking. Our goal is to find materials and processes that can replace solvent-based, toxic printmaking techniques while maintaining quality.
Each research project sets out to discover the best practices for a particular technique, product or formula. The research was done by Zea Mays Printmaking interns, under the supervision of Liz Chalfin, the studio’s director.
In this glossary you will find definitions to the most important print terms.
Here you can find a comparison between traditional print practices and the safer alternatives used at Zea Mays.
Acrylic Manière Noire
Aquatint using Spit Site with Airbrushed Acrylic Resist
Non-Conventional Aquatint
Aquatint using Photographic Silk
Icing Sugar Aquatint
Sandpaper Aquatint with BIG Ground
Aquatint using an Acrylic Spray
Copper Sulfate – Saline Etch for Aluminum Refinement
Etching Zinc with Copper Sulfate Mordant
Hard Ground using Sodium Alginate Acrylic
Hardground using Bio Plastic
Letterpress: Installing and Experimenting with Non-Toxic Processes
Lift Ground with Watercolor Masking Fluid
Photo Transfer with PCB Press-n-Peel for Intaglio
Putz Alternatives
Photopolymer Techniques that are Safer Using ImagOnHD
Soft Ground with Acrylic Mediums
Soft Ground with BIG
Soy Wax Litho Ink Soft Ground
Screen Printing Studio Set-up
Screen Printing Photo Emulsion Tests
Solvent Alternatives in Monotype
Toner Gum Transfer with BIG Ground
Transparent Base Substitute
White Ground Alternatives Using Suspended Pigment
Wash Grounds with Water-Soluble Ink and Lascaux