Litho Stone Image Etched and Ready to Print...

It took me 3 days to finish this drawing on the stone.  This is one of three litho stones that I grained a while ago.  My paper size is 15" X 19".  It is a  non-bleed image. I made a transfer form a scan of my original sketch, reversed it in photoshop (need a "mirror" image for printing).  After that I placed the printout of the reversed drawing on top of the stone.  I slipped a sheet of red oxide transfer paper between the printout and the stone.  You can see the ghost image of the oxide.  I am using #5 Korns pencils (Copal pencils).  They hold a point longer. I later used a #3 for punching up my blacks.  I etched it lightly with 3 drops of nitric and one ounce gum. 

While I was waiting on the etch (I like to wait 24 hours before proofing and making a second etch).  I tore and registered my paper.  The edition size is going to be 20, I tore 8 extra sheets for proofing and color testing. I will print on a piece of mylar so that I can register exactly when I make photo litho plates for the other 3 colors.

There's a small hairline crack so I'm nervous about the stone.  I try not to get too precious with the image on the stone because I know that , "knock-on-wood", unpredictable things can happen during printing. I would like to back this stone with slate before I use it again.  It is about 2.25" thick, i would feel better if it was 3.5". The slate would help it.

I'm going to proof it after I post this blog.  Cross you fingers.