ImagOn ULTRA-RAPID

Over the past few years, the intaglio printmaking film ImagOn has undergone several changes - mostly for the better. The latest iteration is ImagOn ULTRA-Rapid. The new film is quite similar to its immediate predecessor ImagOn ULTRA, with just a few exceptions:

1. Up to about a 20% reduction in halftone image exposure, creating a sharper print with a superior tonal range.
2. Easier film lamination with greater edge adhesion, and
3. The film is a darker blue color, making it easier to see the developed image in the etched intaglio technique. (note: it is a little harder to see the image in the non-etched techniques, so you should always proof your plates to determine image quality.)

Processing guides are available at no charge from Graphic Chemical - all you have to do is ask. Like any printmaking process, there is a learning curve to working with ImagOn ULTRA-Rapid, but the results are well worth the effort.

Keith Howard, who has been the guru of ImagOn, has a new companion book called The Contemporary Printmaker: Intaglio-Type & Acrylic Resist Etching (item number 70500), which sells for $48.00. There is also a video available from Keith (item number 70580) that sells for $31.00.

Contact us for any information that you need about this product line or the process itself.

NEW PRODUCTS

I expect to have a number of these new product listings in the next few days. We spend a fair amount of time between catalogs trying to find suitable, quality products that printmakers will not only want, but that they will wonder where it's been all of their lives.

One such product line is from our friend Marvelous Marianne. This entire product line of hand cleaners and barrier creams are "earth and skin friendly". We've got some samples (2 oz.) of the Savvy Soap Hand and Brush Cleaner that we'd be happy to send out to you for testing. Many of you have already used these materials, so you know the quality. Those of you that haven't are in for a treat.

Here's the lineup:

Our Product No. Name and Size Price
58010 SavvySoap Smooth 2 oz $ 2.75
58020 SavvySoap Smooth 16 oz 7.25
58030 SavvySoap Smooth Gallon 22.00
58035 SavvySoap Smooth 4 x 1 Gallon 80.00
58050 SavvySoap w/grit 16 oz 7.25
58060 SavvySoap w/grit Gallon 22.00
58065 SavvySoap w/grit 4 x 1 Gallon 80.00
58070 SavvySoap Gallon Pump 3.50
58080 SkinSafer Barrier Cream 4 oz 7.00
58090 SkinSafer Barrier Cream 16 oz 16.00

We're sure that you will like these products - all you have to do is try them. You can call us at (800) 465-7382 for more information.

GIFT CERTIFICATES

What kind of gift do you get for that favorite printmaker? You know, the one that doesn't need socks or new school clothes, or even an iPod. How about paper? But you're not sure what he's using these days. Then what about a Copper Plate? I know, you're not sure what size she needs, right?

Well, here's the answer to your dilemma. Buy a Graphic Chemical & Ink Company Gift Certificate! It comes in an infinite number of sizes, and there's no need to worry about whether it gets returned or not - it will be. It can be personalized, bended, folded, but preferably not mutilated. How can you possibly go wrong?

Contact us today (800-465-7382) and we'll make one up for you immediately.

IMPACT IV

Every other year there is an international conference of printmakers in Europe (except for the time they went to South Africa). In 1999 the first IMPACT show was held in Bristol, England. In 2001, we were in Helsinki, Finland, and in 2003, the show moved to Cape Town, South Africa. For a variety of reasons, most of the vendors chose not to attend the Cape Town fair, which is a shame since many of us do a fair amount of business in South Africa.

This year, the conference is split between Berlin, Germany and Poznan, Poland, beginning in late August. It looks to be one of the best shows yet with some major vendors (including Graphic Chemical & Ink Company), noted artists and professors of art from Europe and the U.S., and some stellar seminars. I know that not everyone can pick up and jet off to Europe for a conference - particularly at the beginning of a school year, but if there's a chance, this is the one to attend. The interactions between artists and cultures is amazing, and the opportunity to visit Eastern Europe should not be missed. I will bring you up to date on the show as we get closer, and will, I hope, post pictures and comments afterwards.

The home page for IMPACT is http://web.utk.edu/~imprint/default.html.

SUMMER RUSH

With the beginning of August just around the corner, we are geared up for the summer rush season. Since so many of our customers are schools and school supply stores, this is the busiest time of the year for employees at Graphic Chemical & Ink Company. With so many new products this year, we're excited about the prospects - or is that terrified?

We have added, as many of you know some brayers from Germany that are quite nice, affordable, and high quality. They range in size from 1/3" up to an 8" face length. These are already in stock for immediate shipment. Another European product line that will be arriving here shortly are the silk screen and etching products from Swiss-based LASCAUX. We expect them in early August, and have already had quite a bit of interest in the Tusches and resists. Susan and I will travel to meet with the Lascaux people in Switzerland in October to attend a seminar on their products, and learn a little more about how they will best be used.

ART FAIR - Ann Arbor, MI

Once again, we will drive to Ann Arbor, Michigan this week to take in one of the larger art fairs in the U.S. Actually it's four or five shows right next to each other in downtown Ann Arbor. The Fair runs from Wednesday to Saturday, and is well worth the trip in my opinion. There are shuttle buses from Pioneer High School and the Briarwood shopping mall south of the city. Signs are quite visible on the Interstate, so finding the Fair isn't too difficult.

1200-1300 artists are involved making this one of the largest summer art fairs around. If you get a chance you should stop by and see what's going on. While we pretty much only pay attention to the printmakers there, there is just about every medium that you can think of represented - sculptures, oils, watercolors, screen printing, egg tempera etc.

I'll try to get some pictures to add to this so you can appreciate the size and the quality of the event. Oh, yeah, lunch at Zingerman's is a must. It's a couple of blocks north of the fair on Detroit Street - pricey, but worth every cent.

WELCOME TO PRINTMAKING MATERIALS BLOG

Welcome to the Printmaking Materials blogspot. My name is Dean Clark, and I'm the president of Graphic Chemical & Ink Company. Graphic has been the premier printmaking supplier in the U.S for over 85 years.

In that time, we've picked up a little bit of knowledge about the field. Now I could have put a picture of me on this page. The Lord only knows that I have enough ego to pull that off, but I believe you'd rather see some of the various products, perhaps a new print or two, and share information about a field that we all love.

Please feel free to let us know what you're thinking, what products you are looking for, and what's goingto make your life easier as an artist. I can't guarantee answers, but I"ll sure try. The brayers shown above are from a new set of German brayers that we are just adding to our catalog and website. We believe that they are a great find. In addition to the four shown there are another dozen or so sizes. Call and ask for details