Lazertran Techniques

Lazertran as an etch resist

We have recently discovered that Isopropyl Alcohol available from your pharmacy can be substituted for real turpentine in our etching process. This may suit many etchers as the smell is more tolerable and the product, which is basically rubbing alcohol, is far less toxic than turpentine. Use in a well ventilated room and follow the warnings on both the turpentine and the alcohol containers. Another reason for using it is that some new types of toners dissolve in real turpentine so alcohol has to be used to remove the decal after baking onto your plate.

A note about bubbling

Some etchers of late have been having trouble with bubbling. This can be due to the toners not being fused properly during printing. If fusion of the powdered toners is not complete then as they turn from dust to liquid tiny air bubbles are released under the decal. To avoid this just pop your image after printing and before soaking in water, into a hot domestic oven for a some seconds or until the black toners go very shiny. You can also run a hot air gun (paintstripper) over the image until the toners go shiny.This will help enormously with this problem.

1. Copy image in black and negative using a colour photo copier onto a sheet of Lazertran and cut the image to size of plate. Bump up the density of the toners to get good solid blacks.
2. Soak in water then place the decal image side down onto the plate, wash off any gum from the decal and using a soft rubber squeegee expel all air bubbles, creases and moisture
3. Put in the bottom of a domestic oven at a very low temperature to dry any moisture off. By low I mean as cool as possible and leave for at least60 minutes or so longer will not harm and may even help. Increase the temperature slowly over the next hour and a half until the decal melts and becomes tacky. This can occur within a range of tempertures depending on how long the plate has been left in the oven
4. After cooling place in a bath of pure turpentine until the decal washes away leaving only the toners on the plate. You can use a soft brush to wash off the decal and you will feel the clean metal (no longer slimy) when it is ready. ( About 15 minutes)
5. If you are using the new Isoproyl Alcohol to remove the decal then do not use a bath but pour a little of the alcohol onto the plate, leave for a while and wipe away with a non abrasive cloth or paper. Repeat until the decal has gone and you are back to the metal. This will take some time and quite a few applications of the alcohol. Be sure to remove all the decal as any residual decal will block the plate from etching. Wash with hot water and washing up liquid
6. Lift out and carefully wash off turpentine and any melted decal in warm soapy water
7. The toners are removed with acetone, wintergreen oil or alternatively heat until the toners melt and wipe off. Finish with metal polish

You are now ready to etch. An aquatint can now be applied at this point. This method can also be used on glass and metal if you want a full colour image and wish to remove the decal

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Lazertran Etch/Silk as an etch resist

This can be a cruder finish in very fine tonal areas but is far less complicated with no use of turpentine.

1. Pass Lazertran etch/silk paper through Colour Photo Copier, monochrome and in negative
2. Degrease plate
3. Heat etching plate on a hot plate set at about 350 degrees F or 180 degrees C and place image face down on etching plate and press with a cloth until the image sticks. (You will have to test to find the right temperature
4. Lower the hot etching plate into a bowl of very hot water and allow the paper to float off. Lift carefully from the water (approx 3 mins)
5. Allow the plate to dry flat then put the plate back on the hot plate to ensure all toners have adhered. The resist will take an aquatint
6. The toners are removed with acetone, wintergreen oil or alternatively heat until the toners melt and wipe off. Finish with metal polish

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