How to Print a Black and White Photograph on Glass

If you have been studying photography or have been printing your own photographs for a while you have probably come across artists who have printed images on surfaces other than paper, such as glass. While it is not overly difficult, it can be a time consuming process of trial and error. With a little preparation and precision, you can print a Black and White image onto a piece of glass. Here are some tips.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Piece of glass
• Matte Medium
• Liquid emulsion
• Complete black and white darkroom setup

1. Find a piece of glass on which to print the image. Make sure it is clean.
2. Apply a thin layer of Matte Medium, available at most art supply stores, to the surface of the glass. You only need to apply it to the side you want to print on. The Matte Medium gives the surface of the glass a bit of texture for the emulsion to adhere to. If you skip this step your emulsion will slide right off the glass during the processing of the image.
3. When it is completely dry, take the glass into your darkroom. This next step must be done only under your darkroom safelight, and you can not remove the glass from the darkroom before it is chemically processed.
4. Apply the Liquid Emulsion to the glass on the surface that you have applied the Matte Medium to. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Allow it to completely dry.
5. Once dry, you can expose an image on the glass like you would a piece of photographic paper.
6. Process the glass according to the instructions on the Liquid Emulsion.
7. Expect to make many mistakes. This is not an exact science, and you will likely have several pieces of glass end up as “failed experiments.” Keep notes on what works and what does not, and have fun with it.

Tips & Warnings

• Prepare several pieces of glass, with varying layers of emulsion and Matte Medium on them. Keep notes on what works best.
• Be careful with the glass. Either have the edges professionally beveled, or tape them to avoid cutting yourself.

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