Photoengravers

Photograph copy, develop negatives, and prepare photosensitized metal plates for use in letterpress and gravure printing.

Job Task

• Brushes protective solution and powder on plate and starts machine to distribute acid or photosensitizing solution over plate or rollers.
• Etches designs on metal rollers and plates, using etching machines, hand tools, and acidic chemicals, to produce printing plates and rollers.
• Modifies or repairs plates or film, using etching and artist's brush, acid, and hand tools.
• Matches colors with original to produce balanced color values or intensity design.
• Studies and compares film negatives or positives with originals or design, to determine photographic requirements and verify reproduction.
• Develops and prints negatives, positives, film, or plates by controlled exposure to light, using exposure equipment, chemical baths, and vacuum.
• Positions, loads, or mounts copy, plates, film, or rollers and secures into place.
• Examines developed film, proof, or engravings, using magnifier, chalk, or charcoal to evaluate quality and detect errors.
• Mixes caustic or acid solutions.
• Computes camera machine settings for film exposure or reproduction, using equipment meter, computer, worksheets, and standard formulas and tables.
• Washes rollers and plates preparatory to etching or to remove resistant solution and photographic emulsion, using water, cleaning solution, and brush.
• Transfers images, designs, or patterns onto rollers, plates, or film, using photographic or pantographic equipment and techniques, and hand tools.

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