Learn how to turn your old film negatives or phone images into stunning polymer gravure prints in this hands-on Direct To Plate workshop.

There are no available registration dates at this time.


Polymer photogravure is a modern take on the copperplate photogravure process, which allows us to blend the best of modern technology and traditional craft to produce stunning hand-pulled prints. 

Film negatives, glass plates, digital files, cellphone images — all of these can be made into polymer gravure prints, and each print can be brought to life and given its own character with the artist’s attention to the traditional intaglio printmaker’s skills.

You will learn the direct to plate method of making plates, which requires no transparency or vacuum unit. You will learn to create and linearize a photoshop curve to apply to your digital file, then print your image directly onto the polymer plate with an Epson printer. The plate will then be exposed to UV light, washed in water, and exposed again for hardening. The plates you make can then be inked and printed again and again.  

Students will explore a number of beautiful papers and inks and hand-wiping techniques. You will learn the basics of using an intaglio press and a variety of traditional printing methods to create beautiful hand-made images.

Students that have taken this workshop or those with photopolymer gravure experience who are wanting to spend more time in the studio working on a collection of images/personal projects should consider taking the Photopolymer Gravure Mentorship & Personal Projects workshop.

Leaf poster by Jeanne Wells

Print of an apple hanging from a tree

All Images  © Jeanne Wells

This Workshop is Sponsored by:

Awagami Factory Logo

Fine Art Washi Papers, Digital Inkjet Papers, Origami, Stationery, Papercrafts, Stationery and Washi Decor crafted in Tokushima, Japan - for Photographers, Fine Artists, and Designers. Visit Awagami.com to learn more.

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Instructor: Jeanne Wells

Photographer Jeanne Wells was born and raised on the Maine coast, where she has lived most of her life. She studied literature and writing at Lesley College in Cambridge, MA. Wells uses all forms and formats of cameras. She is self-taught in film and darkroom work, and has also studied wet collodion with Mark Osterman and Keliy Anderson-Staley. Well’s work is collected and exhibited internationally.  Over the years she has been published in many contemporary photo magazines, has been awarded a merit prize from Black and White magazine, and has been a top 200 Critical Mass finalist.  In 2018 her work was features in Polymer Photogravure, by Clay Harmon. Jeanne teaches and works at her studio, Things of This World Press, in Aroostook County, Maine. Her early life in both music and poetry continue to influence and inspire her visual work.