Exposing the Future of Printmaking

What can printmakers do when the availability of Metal Halide bulbs become too expensive or possibly unavailable? Over the last twenty years I have worked with over thirty different exposure units and have even rebuilt a few of them myself. I did this to both create my own work and teach to others the various aspects of printmaking that I love so much. Currently we need numerous pieces of equipment to produce the spectrum of techniques just within this singular discipline. It is evident that the technology developed in the past has not been able to keep up with present-day needs.

I have benefited from working across multiple disciplines within art departments and commercial studios. During this time, I have struggled to solve the problem that plagues all printmakers – finding the right exposure times. One of the latest additions to the dark room I have been using is a Lincoln LED Vacuum Exposure Unit. This particular unit was intended for screen-printing, but I wanted to utilize it while working with Toyobo Printight Printing Plates. It took a lot of experimentation, but eventually this LED unit was quite effective once the exposure times and suction issues were resolved. (Images 1, 2, and 3)

Dwelling in the Hidden
Photopolymer intaglio, Toyobo plate and, Lincoln LED unit
9.75″ x 16.25″
2024

Geometry of Oblivion
Photopolymer intaglio, Toyobo plate, and Lincoln LED unit
9″ x 7″
2024

Autumn’s Withering Quiet
Photopolymer intaglio, Toyobo plate, and Lincoln LED unit
16.25″ x 11.75″
2025

The LED bulb can produce quick exposure times, fine line details, and crisp half tones. There is no warmup or cool down times which is great if you are trying to keep track of light units. The LED bulb has been able to provide consistent repeatable exposure results. The lifetime on some of these bulbs can reach over 10,000 hours which can really help reduce the cost to maintain these machines.

During this period, I also pursued a research project which was creating images using the same Lincoln LED unit, but this time with HD ImagOn film. It has been long accepted by the printmaking community that HD ImagOn plates could not be created using LED lights. I have found that no longer to be true. The LED bulb of yesterday is nothing compared to today’s bulb. (Images 4, 5, and 6)

The Valleys of Our Darkness
Toner-wash intaglio-type, HD ImagOn, and Lincoln LED unit
10.5″ x 8.5″
2024

22 plate step test
HD ImagOn, and Lincoln LED unit,
All plates are 2″ x 5.75″ – 6″
2024

C You Later
Layered intaglio-type, HD ImagOn, and Lincoln LED unit
11″ x 8″
2024

Technology has finally caught up with our current efforts to produce prints. Whether we are looking for a healthier alternative, increased control in the ability to produce work, a more cost-effective approach for departments or possibly the next big thing, LEDs are the future. The ability to have one exposure unit that can do more than one process allows for printmaking to be more accessible and cost effective for individuals as well as educational institutions.

Most recently I was asked if it were possible to use LED strip lights instead of an LED bulb exposure unit for both ImagOn HD and Toyobo Printight printing plates. I am happy to report that after months of testing I was able to get consistent clean image exposures for both processes. Doubling up on the amount of LED strip lights helped me reach the light intensity necessary for positive results while reducing extreme exposure times. 

LED exposure units like the Lincoln are making the future brighter with the prospect of more controlled exposures and increased consistency. These units support the use of products like HD ImagOn and the cutting-edge technology of Toyobo printing plates in the pursuit of new approaches in the realm of printmaking. The future of printmaking is exploding with newly imagined possibilities. (Images 7, 8, and 9)

A World Within
Digital halftone intaglio-yype, HD ImagOn, and LED Flex Strip light unit
7.25″ x 6″
2025

Seeing Through the Icebound
Photopolymer intaglio, Toyobo plate, and LED Flex Strip light unit
15.5″ x 11.5″
2025

Where Water Dreams
Photopolymer intaglio, Toyobo plate, and LED Flex Strip light unit
10.75″ x 15.5″
2025