“Of all photoengraving methods there is none which produces such rich and satisfying results as photogravure.  The reason for this is to be found in the method of printing.  It is an intaglio process and, therefore, the quantity of ink which is transferred to the paper can be considerable, and it shares with mezzotint among hand engraving processes the resulting richness of tones.”
Captain Herbert Mills Cartwirght, 1930

The photogravure process had its beginnings in the mid-19th century when Fox Talbot devised a method of producing intaglio (etching) plates by etching through a bichromated gelatin film.  In 1879 Karl Klic introduced the first efficient and reliable method of producing photogravures.

The Process in Brief

1.  A film positive from a photographic negative, digital file or artist’s marks on transparent material is created. 

2.  A sheet of gelatin tissue is sensitized in a bath of chilled potassium dichromate.  The sensitized gelatin tissue is squeegeed gelatin side down to a sheet of Plexiglass and allowed to dry.

3.  The dried gelatin tissue is exposed to the positive.  During exposure the gelatin is hardened in proportion to the amount of light the gelatin receives through the positive. The action of light on the sensitized gelatin renders the more exposed areas of gelatin harder than the less exposed areas.

4.  The exposed gelatin tissue is placed in a bath of chilled water or a mix of alcohol and water upon a sheet of mirror-finished copper.  The tissue and plate are removed from the water and the tissue is squeegeed firmly on to the copper sheet.

5.  The sandwich of exposed gelatin tissue and copper is allowed to dry from 5 to 45  minutes.  During the drying period the gelatin contracts, creating a firm bond with the copper.

6.  The dried gelatin on copper is submerged in a tray of hot water.  The hot water dissolves the lesser-exposed gelatin and the image is revealed in relief in gelatin.  Once development is complete the image is clearly visible in densities of gelatin on the plate.

7.  The plate with the image in gelatin is dried.

8.  A windvane in a large box containing very fine acid resistant particles is revolved creating a cloud of the particles.  The plate is placed in the box and the particles settle on the plate.  The plate is removed when approximately 50% of the plate is covered. The plate is heated and the particles are fused to the plate. 

9.  The back of the plate and any other areas of the copper not to be etched are protected with an acid resistant paint.

10.  The plate is etched in a series of ferric chloride acid baths.  The acid penetrates the gelatin tissue and around the aquatint particles leaving tiny pits in the plate.  The darkest areas of the image are the most deeply etched.  The highlights receive the least etching.

11.    The plate is rolled with etching ink, wiped by hand with a starched cloth and run through an etching press with a sheet of art paper.  The ink is transferred from the plate to the paper.  Gravures are printed in much the same manner in which Rembrandt’s or Goya’s etchings were printed.