Polyester Plate Lithography

Polyester Plate Lithography

June 3-7, 2024

Limited to 6

Polyester plate lithography has come a long way with the advent of many contributions from literally hundreds of printmakers, among them former Tamarind instructor, Jeffrey Sippel. Plates have changed over time, finally getting better, not just cheaper. Ink options have grown, as has what digital can add, too.

We are re-introducing polyester plate to MakingArtSafely to our workshop schedule because it is time it got its own week. New plates, new inks, make this an exciting process with all the advantages of lithography, including printing on dry paper, and none of the toxicity.

For George Roberts

For artist-printmakers, polyester plate lithography began with Boise State printmaking professor, George Roberts, who over 30 years ago took the first ever MakigArtSafely workshop. It was taught by Keith Howard using film for intaglio Keith had been introduced to by Mark Zaffron. George was so turned on by the idea of new, safer, less complicated, creative processes for printmaking, he went home to Boise State determined to contribute something, anything. Polyester Plate Lithography for artists was born.

No one was as good at it as George. Like many new adaptations of materials for artwork, the beginning often has some rough edges to be worked out. Safer inks was been a big one, getting roll ups perfect, what mark making materials worked, what didn’t and on down a long list of discoveries to be made. Well, that was over 30 years ago. Plates have changed, new inks have been researched, and other name lithographers have applied themselves to the process.

George was a true gentleman, 6’6” (or taller). A Lasansky trained printmaker, toxicity was simply part of printmaking. George succumbed to all those early years of toxicity in 2011. He is missed.

Workshop Itinerary

• Monday morning begins with students arriving at the studio between 9:30-10 AM.
• Daily instruction is 10 AM to 4 PM with the studio open to students between 9:30 AM and 7 PM. Exception is Friday when the workshop ends at 4 PM.
• Bring a lunch everyday except Wednesday when we go out Dutch for a late lunch