my weekend practice plate

[celticjohn]

This took a long time to complete. Done on a offcut scrap brass plate 3mm thick. All done with the universal point.
Again it's copied from a plate from "a guide to Drawing Acanthus" and again the transfer was a bit dodgy. Plate size ia about 4" x 2.5"

[rbaptiste]

Nice exercises... Maybe it is time to engrave a real project...

[SEngraver]

Hi John,

That is great going,awesome !!
What transfer method do you use,if I may ask ? And printer ?

SE

[celticjohn]

SE.
Now sure what the technique is called, basically as a last resort I used neat Damar Varnish on the plate, rubbed it on with my finger. Placed the printed image onto the plate and let it dry. Once it dried then rubbed the back of the dampened paper with my finger until there was just the print left. In some sections it worked, others it just tore through the paper. Sections that were bad i just redrew with a pencil.
I initially had it printed to acetate from my own printer, lexmark inkjet. That didn't work at all, whatever I variation I tried. As a last resort I used the larger laser print I'd brought home from work for reference. I initially didn't want the print that size. The complete image was meant to fit on the plate squarely. I had intented to guillotine off the bad section to square it off. It was good practice however.

I'll have to think up a project as Roland suggests.

[SEngraver]

Originally Posted by celticjohn

SE.
Now sure what the technique is called, basically as a last resort I used neat Damar Varnish on the plate, rubbed it on with my finger. Placed the printed image onto the plate and let it dry. Once it dried then rubbed the back of the dampened paper with my finger until there was just the print left. In some sections it worked, others it just tore through the paper. Sections that were bad i just redrew with a pencil.
I initially had it printed to acetate from my own printer, lexmark inkjet. That didn't work at all, whatever I variation I tried. As a last resort I used the larger laser print I'd brought home from work for reference. I initially didn't want the print that size. The complete image was meant to fit on the plate squarely. I had intented to guillotine off the bad section to square it off. It was good practice however.

I'll have to think up a project as Roland suggests.

Hi John,

You seem to mention about problems so I asked as at one stage I too had some.
I then used Airamps method and I get 95 - 100 % transfers now;

Its here;

http://www.engravingforum.com/showthread.php?t=8159

"Why don't you give white Translucent Vellum a try with the laser and delmar/zippo/ and testors white paint a try..."

The vellum helped immensely,but I use 30% to 70% dammar varnish to Zippo fluid .Print the design 600-1200 dpi on a laser b/w brother printer- £50.

Apply the design to receiving surface when the damar is tacky and remove just before it completely dries.
If you get glare use liquid tippex or testors paint.Two drops in the solution.

Rolands suggestion is great,and from personal experiences he will also guide and advise you too.

SE