Printmaking (Series 16 of 21) - Mylar Toner transfers from Mylar

By Nik Semenoff September 19, 2004

} Mylar Toner transfers from Mylar Printmaking Series - Part 16 of 21 By Nik Semenoff One of the exciting techniques allowed with toner is transferring unto plates an image drawn on Mylar. On a sheet of Mylar registered to a key image, you can apply toner washes with solvent or water. Of course any transfer system will mirror the image on the plate and one does not have to draw backwards. I prefer to use the smooth surfaced Mylar, but the frosted variety can work as well. The reticulation on Mylar is very pronounced as the smooth surface allows the toner particles to move freely. Set the drawing aside to dry on a level surface. You can tell if the toner is dry completely through to the Mylar by looking at the back. There should not be a darker look to the thicker parts of the image as this will prevent proper transfer of the toner. A great advantage to this method is that the toner can now be removed from areas that do not require that particular color. Do this with simple tools made from Popsicle sticks or tongue depressors, depending on the width of the area you want to work on. Cut off one end to be square and form a beveled edge similar to a chisel, by rubbing on sandpaper. With these tools you can cleanly remove the toner right up to the edge of another color, allowing for a slight overlap to trap the image. This routine allows the pattern of the wash to continue under the selected area without disruption. For finer areas and the initial outlining of a shape, use a ¼ dowel pointed in a pencil sharpener. Doing multicolor editions can cause a lot of stress when it comes to registration. By printing one proof of the key plate, you can register Mylars and toner images to it very easily, using punched registration pins for best results. Even when printing any color edition and you see that an addition of some tint would make the print better; it is simple to use this method. To make the transfer the dried Mylar is carefully placed face down on the plate. Place 3-4 sheets of newsprint on top for packing between it and the tympan. Using enough pressure to transfer the toner, pass the plate through the press. If done properly, 99.9% of the toner is transferred to the substrate. The Mylar sheet can be used again many times. Nik Semenoff I have developed an interesting technique in which selective pressure is used in the transfer of the image. Using very accurate registration system, the transfer to the first color plate is done under light pressure so that only the thicker areas of the toner are removed. The remaining toner can be transfer to other plates to print different colors in any number of steps, but I recommend keeping it to no more than four. This produces images much like posterization, or viscosity intaglio - but with white areas of paper showing through. I must add that toner is not a toxic material as some are prone to promote. ________________________________________________ Copyright © 2004 Nik Semenoff Nik Semenoff Artist-in-residence University of Saskatchewan Visit Nik Semenoff's website at duke.usask.ca/~semenoff/ for more information.

• Posted: 2004-09-19