Meridian
Drypoint print on rag paper edition of 30, Cat # 1028. My current series of large-scale prints. 24 x 18 inches! Although I am calling these "drypoints or Dry Points", technically they are engravings. A drypoint prints the burr on a metal plate. I use acrylic or polycarbonate plastic plates and since the plastic burr is fragile, I shave the burr off and print the engraved line.
This process has many advantages, especially for larger plates. One is cost, a plastic plate costs a fraction of a copper or zinc plate's cost. More importantly is the plate's transparency. I work the plate over my original drawing which allows me to keep more of the original drawing's feel. I actually ink the plate and make revisions on a light box which allows me to see what is going on better. Lastly, I have not seen any degradation of the plates after printing 30 proofs. An acrylic plate might crack eventually but a polycarbonate plate wont. [if you are considering this technique, I recommend polycarbonate over either acrylic or PETG, it works like PETG and will not crack like either of those will]
This process has many advantages, especially for larger plates. One is cost, a plastic plate costs a fraction of a copper or zinc plate's cost. More importantly is the plate's transparency. I work the plate over my original drawing which allows me to keep more of the original drawing's feel. I actually ink the plate and make revisions on a light box which allows me to see what is going on better. Lastly, I have not seen any degradation of the plates after printing 30 proofs. An acrylic plate might crack eventually but a polycarbonate plate wont. [if you are considering this technique, I recommend polycarbonate over either acrylic or PETG, it works like PETG and will not crack like either of those will]