FIELD: printing industry.
SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a method of making a printing plate for etching and can be used in engravings production by gravure printing. It allows to reduce labor intensity and increase permitting possibility of printing plate manufacturing method and to obtain very fine etched engraving. For this purpose, a metal base having an electrode potential which is more negative than the electrode potential of copper, a layer of copper or its alloy is deposited by a known method (for example, immersion), etched with an etching needle pattern, followed by etching in a solution in which a recess of a metal pattern deposited in place occurs primarily as a result of a contact exchange reaction between a base metal and copper ions. Solution for the method implementation contains, g/l: copper sulphate 20–250, a complexing agent in an amount required for formation of a soluble copper (II) complex salt, and free excess of not less than 1 g/l, sodium chloride 0.1–150.
EFFECT: versions of the method enable to obtain a multi-level relief of the printing image, detect defects of the protective layer, print a proof impression without removing the protective layer and, if necessary, correct and add to the printing image.
9 cl
