Intaglio Technical and Health & Safety

Technical Notes – Intaglio

Inking up the plate

1. Select your coloured inks and mix a small amount with equal quantity of extender.

2. Using a toothbrush or scrim apply a small amount of ink on the chosen area and make sure the ink covers any gaps.

3. Lightly rub the surface of the plate with tissue paper to remove any excess ink and to clean the pate edges.

Printing on Etching Press

1. Soak a sheet of watercolour paper in water and then blot off the excess water.

2. Fold back the blankets on the Etching press and position the collagraph plate facing upwards up against the roller, place the watercolour paper over the top and lay the blankets back over the top.

3. Turn the rollers so the plate and paper goes through the press. Lift up the blankets and carefully  remove the paper print from the plate.

4. Run the plate under warm soapy water to clean off the ink and dry the plate off before the next use.

Materials & Equipment               

• Watercolour paper

• Blotting paper

• Caligo safewash relief inks

• Tissue paper & newsprint

• Scrim

• Toothbrush

• Etching Press

Health & Safety

•Protect clothing and hands by wearing gloves & apron.

•Make sure the room is well ventilated 

Iron Health and Safety

• Do not leave the Iron on unattended.
• Make sure the Iron chord is tucked out the way of the floor to prevent a tripping hazard.
• Ensure there are no liquids around the Iron and electrical wires.
• Unplug the Iron when finished use.
• Don't touch the face of the hot Iron with your hands.
• Ensure fabric sample is cool before touching it.
• Do not run around electrical equipment.
• Make sure you baking paper between the sample, Iron and Ironing board to avoid it sticking and minimize potential burning.

Heat Stressing Fabrics Health and Safety

Health and Safety for using a Heat gun to stress fabric.

1. Make sure your work space is clear and clean.
2. Only use the heat gun on man made fabrics such as tyvek and not natural fibers such as wool or          cotton as theses will catch fire.
3. Once you have taken your fabric make sure you place it on a tile and use scissors to hold it down        as you heat it with the heat gun.
4. Do not aim the heat gun at anything other than the material you want to stress.
5. Wait for the fabric to cool before you handle it.
6. Make sure you have access to cold water near by encase you burn you skin or other objects.
7. If you do burn yourself seek medical heath.
8. Once you have finished with the heat gun place it back on the tile to prevent it marking the table.
9. Keep room ventilated


When using a Candle flame:

1. Ensure your work space is clear and no flammable substances of fabrics near be.
2. Do not place hand near the flame and use scissors to hold the material if possible.
3. If you do burn your self seek medical help
4. Have a tub of water near by encase you set alight to anything.
5. Hold fabric above flame and not in it otherwise it will set alight.
6. When you have finished with the candle blow it out and leave to cool.
7. Be careful not to knock the candle and make sure it is on a stable and level surface.
8. Keep room ventilated
9. Do not touch melted fabric - wait for it to cool before you handle it.

Wire Health and Safety

Wire Health and Safety

• Use appropriate tools for wire cutting and when you pull outwards do it gently so you don't hit yourself or someone else.
• When bending the wore use the correct pliers and then compress each end of the wire to reduce the sharp edges.

Ceramic Health and Safety

Health & Safety using Ceramics:

Long-term exposure to clay dust can be very detrimental to your health as it is carcinogenic; all tools and surfaces need to be thoroughly cleaned with water after use with clay .

1) Use protective clothing including non-latex gloves and apron, and tie back hair.

2) Work on top of paper that can be disposed of at the end of the session. This is to keep mess and clay dust to a minimum.

3) Always use the ceramic tools for their intended use and reduce ceramic dust by washing tools thoroughly after use.

4) If any paints, glazes or clay gets left on the tables you should wash them off to reduce clay dust.

5) To further reduce clay dust, wash your hands appropriately throughout the lesson and at the end.

6) Clean up spillages immediately to prevent; potential contamination or risk to others consuming or slipping on it.

7) Don’t eat or drink in the classroom - only sealable bottles of water.

8) When carving into clay, have a bowl of water to brush off any clay dust into.

9) Do not throw clay tools at any time or run in the classroom – act sensibly.

Wax Paper Health and Safety

Wax paper Heath and Safety:

• Make sure the wax heater is in an area, out the way where it won't get knocked.
• Make sure there heater chord is out the way and wont be a tripping hazard.
• Keep liquids away from electrical components.
• DON'T TOUCH HOT WAX.
• Use tongs to dip paper clippings in to molten wax and when you take it out wait for it to cool and dry before you touch it.
• Don't drop materials into the molten wax.
• Don't run around wax heater
• Do not leave heater unattended.
• Clean any wax off table at the end.

Gel Impasto Health and Safety

Gel medium info:

• It is of low toxicity
• Advised to be used in ventilated area
• Don't drink or eat when using.
• Thoroughly wash hands after use of the Gel Medium.

If this product is ingested it may cause you discomfort.

It can cause slight skin irritation.

It is also irritating to the eyes. (wash immediately with water)