A form of Printmaking. A solarplate print is an intaglio printmaking process. The actual solarplate is basically a light sensitive polymer emulsion coated over a steel plate surface, to create a solarplate ready to print from it is somewhat similar to preparing a screen for silk screen printing - the image is overlayed and then the plate exposed to ultraviolet light.
Solarplate Printing is often used where there are concerns for safety around strong acids, however it is also used by printmakers because Solar Plate Printmaking has it's own very unique characteristics, it's capable of fine rendition of full tone; photographic and hand drawn images and reproduces fine detail extremely well. It is also significantly faster than traditional printmaking methods, and does not require the multiple steps associated with other techniques. On the downside solarplates are not really able to be reworked after making the initial image, and so you can not really refine images. Once the first proofs are pulled that tends to be your end result.
Materials required for Solar Plate Printmaking can be found at a: Printmaking Supply Store.
