C.S. POGUE

By Dwight Pogue and Skip Klepacki
Copyright 2012

“CENTURY PLATES” are HEAVY-GAUGE (0.050” = 1.3 mm thick), HIGH-PURITY Aluminum Lithography Plates that are processed and printed like a standard ball-grained plate.

“CENTURY PLATES” have a lifetime similar to ’old school’ lithography stones since they can be erased and re-surfaced dozens or hundreds of times, just like a lithography stone.

Printmakers can use a single “CENTURY PLATE” to print a 10- or 15-color lithograph! Simply erase the previous image or re-surface the plate to accept a different image.

Source your own "Century Plates" from certain online distributors of Aluminum Sheets, or possibly from your local sheet metal fabricator. For reliable results without print defects, BE SUREto specify: "Aluminum Alloy 1100 (or 1050 in Europe); Temper H-14 (1/2 Hard)." This High Purity aluminum alloy (99+%) will re-grain easily and print consistently. Plate Size and Thickness are according to the preference of print maker; Thickness in the range of 0.032" - 0.062" (0.8 mm-1.6mm) depending on size, is stiff enough for easy handling during multiple uses. Thinner and thicker sheets of the same alloy will also function properly, since the 'magic' of lithography happens on the surface.

Below are two links to US distributors of suitable AA1100-H14 Aluminum Sheets that will fulfill orders as small as one (1) sheet. Sizes available range from 6" x 6" to 48" x 144"; custom sizes can be ordered from some vendors, or cut from larger sizes on sheet metal shears, such as at a sheet metal fabricator. https://www.onlinemetals.com/en/buy/aluminum-sheet-plate-1100-h14. https://www.mcmaster.com/aluminum/hardened-easy-to-form-pure-1100-aluminum-sheets-and-bars/.

Inexpensive hand punches for punching register holes are also readily available: https://www.amazon.com/ABN-Power-Punch-Heavy-Duty/dp/B07D7HJQ5Z/ref=sr_1_11?keywords=metal+hand+punch&qid=1641501952&sr=8-11.

Low-cost reusable plastic trays suitable for graining are available in a range of sizes from vendors of pet crates, such as one below:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=animal+crate+plastic+tray&crid=1M2XVJKYPV81M&sprefix=animal+crate+plastic+tray%2Caps%2C155&ref=nb_sb_noss.

For simple directions on power-graining aluminum lithographic plates using a random orbital sander instead of a hand sanding sponge, see the link below: Graining Century Plates.docx

“CENTURY PLATES” can be re-surfaced in 2 ways, depending on the purpose the user wishes to achieve or on the plate’s condition after the last print edition.

1). REFRESH the Plate by erasing the previous image. After removing any ink with D & S BioSalut, simply use a fine sanding sponge (not a worn out one) to wipe/rub the plate with water and BAR KEEPERS FRIEND (a common household cleaner) for about five minutes. Rinse thoroughly with water and clean cotton or absorbent paper towels. REPEAT the wash and wipe to remove ALL RESIDUE and then squeegee and dry quickly. If after washing the cotton is still dark gray, repeat the wash with water. The Century Plate is now ready to re-image (for reticulated toner washes (heat set) or apply positive photo-coating)! We have found this also works on standard ball grained plates!

2). RENEW the plate to ‘like new’ condition by placing it in a plastic developing tray or on a graining sink and pour all three grits (100, 180, and 220) along with Bon Ami Powdered Cleanser on the plate at the same time. After graining for approximately five minutes, Rinse thoroughly with water and paper towel. ADD Bar Keepers Friend to plate (which will remove the oily Bon Ami) and Rub surface with dampened cotton or paper towels. Rinse thoroughly again with water and towels in order to remove all remaining gray residue and then rinse thoroughly again and squeegee and dry quickly. Grit can be captured for reuse according to photo caption. The Century Plate is now ready to re-image (draw using traditional litho crayons, tusche washes, toner washes or apply positive photo-coating)!

Century Plates are commercially pure aluminum and come in two standard sizes: 18 by 25.5 inches and 25.5 by 36 inches. Larger sizes up to 48 by 96 inches are available upon request. Plates may be ordered pre-punched with  1 ⁄ 4  inch (.250) or  9 ⁄ 32  inches (.281) holes. Email dwight@cspoguegraphics.com for more information.

Print from a Stones crayon drawing on a Century Plate grained using a 60 grit Norton polishing pad and water. Gum deletions work great on Century Plates! Refer to the new studio textbook, Printmaking Revolution by Dwight Pogue for various ways of employing gum deletions from creating highlights to perfectly registered border masks. Add one to two teaspoons of citric crystals (commonly used in food processing) to one ounce of tannic plate etch. Add a drop of food coloring to make the gum deletion more visable.

Inked Century Plate of a test image drawn with a number 4 Stones litho crayon. The plate was grained with a 3-M Pro-Grade FINE Sanding Sponge (from Home Depot) USE SOYBEAN OIL (not lithotine) TO REMOVE INK AFTER PRINTING. Ink image, while plate is wet with water, clean scum using dry foam rubber, sponge water down to damp then pour tannic plate etch on and buff plate with cheesecloth (some streaking of ink will occur but not a problem). Handfan dry or wait ten minutes or longer then wash ink out using cotton and SOYBEAN OIL. Store plate or wash out with water and print.