Gum Roller-Coating

> Marek, how do you keep from getting a pebbly texture in the gum? Am I
> just not using a light enough touch, or what?

Here's how I've used foam rollers for applying gum for the last 5 years:

1) Use the white-colored foam rollers. They have the smoothest and densest
texture to them. They come in 3" and 6" lengths. Since I usually print
large, I use the 6" size. It's important to not use the more open-cell
foam found on some rollers - these can result in pebbly or rough texture.

2) For a 14x17 print I use 10 ml of gum and 10 ml of dichromate solution.
I also add some everclear - 15 drops or so, but this is optional.

3) After mixing well, I pour the solution onto a sheet of glass or other
smooth, clean, non-absorbent surface.

4) I then roll the roller back and forth over the solution until most of
it is absorbed evenly into the foam roller.

5) I then roll the solution onto the paper starting with rather firm
pressure to squeeze most of the solution out of the roller and onto the
paper on the first series of passes across the paper, then roll again
perpendicular to the first series of passes. I continue rolling with less
and less pressure until just the weight of the roller is pressing on the
paper. At this point, the surface becomes very, very smooth. I really
dislike the gritty gum look and Stuart and I found this approach gave
consistently smooth, even gum coats.

This is much easier and quicker to do than it is to describe. I've taught
this approach to many students in workshops and they've all taken to it
quickly.

Kerik Kouklis
www.kerik.com
Platinum/Gum/Collodion
Received on Thu Apr 6 10:09:42 2006