Part 12 (1/2)

TRANSFER INK

All the above-named inks are intended for use directly on stone. If it is desired to write on paper and transfer this writing to the stone, those inks mostly prove too hard, unless one would use warmed stones, as described later. This, however, makes added work: therefore, I give here the recipe for an ink excellent for cold transfers.

Sh.e.l.lac 3 parts Wax 1 part Tallow 6 parts Mastic 5 parts Soap 4 parts Lampblack 1 part

The mode of preparation is exactly like that of the rest. The ma.s.s can be kept only in dried form, not mixed with water. The evidence that this ink is good for transfer work is that, after it has stood for some days, it still manifests stickiness when touched with the finger. If the ink does not transfer well to the stone under moderate pressure, it is too hard, and can be improved by mixing in a little b.u.t.ter or vegetable oil, but it is necessary to dissolve the whole ma.s.s again over the fire. If the design squashes under pressure, the ink is too soft. It is necessary to consider the temperature of the place where it is kept, and even the time of year, in order to produce the proper consistency of ink for the best transfer work.

V

HARD ETCHING GROUND

Certain methods of stone-printing demand, besides the ink, a fatty, acid-resisting ma.s.s to coat the plates. It is either the same as the material used by copper-plate etchers, or, at least, is very similar to it.

Etching Ground for stone is as follows:--

Wax 12 parts Mastic 6 parts Asphalt 4 parts Resin 2 parts Tallow 1 part

This is melted in an iron pan over a fire hot enough to melt the asphalt perfectly. Combustion is allowed to ensue till a third of the mixture has been consumed. When thoroughly cooled, it may be shaped in any desired form and saved for use.

A good surface is made also by common wax, boiled and burned till almost five parts of it have been consumed.

VI

SOFT ETCHING GROUND

For some processes there is needed an etching ground which has the property of not coating the entire surface, permitting the etching fluid to penetrate at many spots uniformly, or, if it resists the etching fluid, still so easily affected by manipulation that it will admit the acid according to such manipulation. There are two ways to make it.

(1) Thick linseed oil varnish 1 part Tallow 2 parts (2) Wax 1 part Tallow 5 parts Linseed oil varnish 3 parts

The application will be described in the instructions about aquatints, etc.

VII

ACID PROOF INK

So I name a color which has the property of resisting acid when the stone is inked with it. It is useful in many cases, and even necessary.

It is well, therefore, to make a supply of it.

2 parts thick linseed oil varnish 4 parts tallow 1 part Venetian turpentine 1 part wax

All must be well melted, mixed with four parts lampblack, well rubbed down and kept in a closed tin vessel.

VIII

CRAYON

Chemical or fatty crayon is a composition intended to be used on the stone plate in dry form like Spanish or Parisian chalk. The inks described previously have the property of soaking into the stone and making it greasy where applied. The same happens if they are applied dry, the degree of their penetration and adherence merely being less.