Unexposed Toray Torelief WS95HK2, the 0.95 mm steel-backed, water-wash photopolymer plate we use every day for direct-to-plate and film-positive photogravure.
$30.00
When Kodak Jet/Miraclon plates stopped being made in 2021, polymer photogravure printers had to find a new plate that could hold a full tonal range. We tested hundreds of plates before we settled on Toray Torelief WS95HK2. Today it’s the leading plate for true direct-to-plate (DTP) photogravure. We use it every day in our Vermont studio and workshops, and we now sell the same blank, unexposed plates here.
WS = Water-wash, Steel-backed. 95 = 0.95 mm total plate thickness. HK2 = the generation of the photopolymer layer. HK2 is currently the highest-resolution, highest-quality polymer Toray makes.
| Specification | WS95HK2 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Toray Industries (Torelief™) |
| Plate type | Water-washable photopolymer, steel-backed |
| Total thickness | 0.95 mm (0.037 in) |
| Relief depth | 0.68 mm (0.027 in) |
| Hardness | 65° Shore D |
| Halftone reproduction | 200 lpi (approx. 1–98%) |
| Narrowest line | 20 µm |
| Washout | Water (high pressure flat hose) |
| Manufacturer’s washout temperature | 20–25 °C (68–77 °F), not above 30 °C (86 °F)* |
| Polymer generation | HK2 (Toray’s current highest-resolution polymer) |
*Figures come from Toray’s published Torelief specifications, which are written for letterpress and dry-offset printing. Intaglio photogravure uses the plate differently. Use these numbers as a starting point, not a gravure recipe.
Custom cuts are available. Use the custom cut form below to order the sizes you need. Free domestic shipping on orders of $200 or more. Plates ship blank and unexposed.
Need a size we don’t list? Enter the plates you need (up to 20.75″ × 31″) and we’ll lay them out on our 31″ × 42″ master sheet, cut them to order and price the job. Add them to your cart and check out with live shipping rates. Domestic orders of $200 or more ship free.
Toray’s next-generation HK3 polymer is on the way, along with a new high-strength, steel-backed 0.83 mm plate that we may also stock in the future. We met with Toray in person in early 2026 to discuss using these materials for intaglio printing. The new plates are now in our testing pipeline, and we’ll share the results with the photogravure community as soon as we have them.
Can I use Torelief WS95HK2 for direct-to-plate (DTP) photogravure?
Yes. WS95HK2 is the leading plate for DTP photogravure today. Print directly onto the plate with an Epson printer driven by QuadToneRIP, then expose and wash out as usual.
Does it work with film positives and an aquatint screen?
Yes. The plate works with traditional film positives using an aquatint or stochastic screen, and with digital positives.
Is this the same as a “solar plate”?
“Solar plate” is a common name for steel-backed, water-washable photopolymer plates exposed with UV light. WS95HK2 belongs to that family of plates, but it uses Toray’s high-resolution HK2 polymer, which suits fine photogravure work.
How is 0.95 mm different from 0.73 mm plates?
The thicker 0.95 mm plate has a deeper relief (0.68 mm), which gives a deeper etch and embossment. It also lets you use more gloss optimizer to control plate tone and highlights.
Can you cut plates to a custom size?
Yes. Email us your sizes and quantities and we’ll quote a custom cut.
Do you teach this process?
Yes. Prints on Paper Studio runs polymer photogravure workshops in Cabot, Vermont, using these same plates. See upcoming workshops.
In stock
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In stock
Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
