Stop-out resist Lascaux

Composition
Based on acrylic copolymer

Lascaux Stop-out resist has been specially designed as part of the acrylic-resist etching system. This coloured resist is fluid and can be easily painted onto plates to create images, make corrections to plates or used for stopping-out. It can be drawn into with etching tools when dry.

Properties
Lascaux Stop-out resist is water-soluble, ready to use, non-toxic and suitable for use on copper, brass, zinc, steel and aluminium. The resist is highly acid-resistant and durable on unbitten or previously etched plates (e.g. aquatint, deep open bite). It is compatible with the other Lascaux resists and photopolymer resists. Lascaux Stop-out resist may also be used to create a variety of effects on collagraph plates.

Directions
Plates should be prepared, grained, degreased and dried before the Stop-out resist is applied (follow the detailed information provided in the technical sheet for Lascaux Hard resist).

Painting and drawing techniques:
Shake the container vigorously to distribute the waxy content. Squeeze a small amount into a clean china or glass palette. A range of brushes can be used. Lascaux Stop-out resist has excellent handling qualities and the painted marks are easily visible on the plate, making it ideal for creative painting methods. It may be painted or offset onto the plate surface using a variety of artist’s tools allowing a broad range of marks. Lascaux Stop-out resist may also be diluted with water to create soft edges and other wash effects. The resist may be diluted on the plate or mixed in a solution in ratios of up to 1 part resist to 9 parts water. The resist is also used for editing, adding lines, correcting mistakes, repairing scratches, closing exposed metal or stopping out images made with other resists (e.g. Lascaux Aquatint, Lascaux Hard resist). When the resist is dry it can be drawn into with an etching needle. When the stop-out is used to make corrections it should be applied carefully in a thin even layer with a sable brush or synthetic equivalent (Lascaux Hard resist may be used as a clear stop-out).

Drying the resist:
The plate can be laid flat to dry naturally or dried with a warm air fan in a horizontal drying cabinet. The resist becomes touch dry quickly and when it is fully dry the plate may be etched.

Etching:
Plates should etched following the detailed information provided in the technical sheet for Lascaux Hard resist.

Resist removal:
The resist is water-soluble and can be cleaned from brushes, tools, palettes, plates and surfaces with warm soapy water before it dries. Dried resist can be removed with Lascaux Remover (follow the information provided in the technical sheet for Lascaux Hard resist or Lascaux Remover).

Working the plate further:
The surface may be lightly wet-sanded or polished to enhance the contrast and clarity before proofing. The plate may also be worked further using subtractive or additive methods.

More information
This product has been developed in collaboration with the printmakers Robert Adam and Carol Robertson who have been researching and teaching safer printmaking methods since 1990.