The process outlined below was devised during a workshop demonstration.   We had an extra processed gelatin step tablet on copper and etched it in a single bath of ferric chloride.  Instead of controlling the humidity and waiting hours for the gelatin to dry the plate was placed on a hot plate to dry.  After twenty-five minutes the plate was cooled to room temperature and placed in one ferric chloride etching bath.  I was surprised it worked and have been using this method with fairly consistant results ever since.  If a film positive and tissue are prepared in advance it can take less than two hours to process a photogravure plate.  The process outlined below was created using Dragon Gravure Tissue and an Epson Printer.   It is a simple outline.  There is a considerable amount of information between the steps. 

• Create a film profile limited to a maximum density of 1.4.
• Print a digital 21 step tablet on your film of choice.
• Sensitize Dragon Tissue in a 4% potassium dichromate solution chilled to 45 degrees for 75 seconds.
• Use equal tone and aquatint exposures.
• Degrease the copper.
• Place the degreased copper plate in distilled water chilled to 45 degrees.
• Slide the exposed tissue face side up into the tray with the copper.
• Flip the tissue over and position it over the copper.  Remove the copper and tissue from the bath at a gentle angle.  I use a thick glass sheet positioned on an overturned tray in my my sink as a surface for laminating the gelatin tissue and the copper.  The surface you squeegee on should be close to the temperature of your mating bath.
• Blot the backing paper and wait 75 seconds.
• Immerse the plate into 115 degree development water.  Wait two minutes before peeling the tissue.
• After 4-8 minutes of minutes of agitation and hosing the clearing is complete.
• Place the plate in a 50% tray of isopropyl alcohol bath for 2 minutes.  Remove the plate from the alcohol and flood with 75% isopropyl.  Agitate the plate in hand.  Flood the plate twice within 45 seconds.
• Dry the plate as evenly as you can.  Rock the plate and watch the alcohol closely.  Modify your technique to make the alcohol evaporate as evenly as possible.
• Allow the plate to rest with air circulation for twenty minutes.  
• Mask the plate.  
• After twenty-five minutes of total drying place the plate on a hot plate heated to 120 F for twenty-five minutes.
• After twenty-five minutes move the plate to a room temperature surface.
• As soon as the plate has cooled to room temperature etch in 40.3 ferric chloride.
• Proof.
• Create a profile.  Make plates - Make prints.  
• Review the photogravure reference page for trouble shooting and more information.

Tips:  

• Look closely at everything.
• If you have problems run through the entire process with very bright lights on. 
• Use a head magnifier. 
• If something is not working properly repeating what you did will not make it work.
• Experiment - read - study.   Do not believe everything you read.
• Don’t sneak up on things.  Test and test again.