Users Instructions ImagOn Ultra photopolymer films | 7. ImagOn STEP-TEST for Mylar Stencils
Following is a typical media and a typical way of testing the light exposure.
Single sided frosted Mylar (drafting Mylar used for technical drawings) can be used to make stencils with a variety of media. The density of the pigment will effect the exposure times thus a step exposure test is needed to find the exposure time that is right for your stencil/drawing. Almost any painting or drawing media can be used such as graphite pencils, gouache, china markers, acrylic paint and sharpies. Following is the procedure for testing the correct exposure for a Toner-Wash drawing made onto single sided Drafting Mylar:
- Paint or draw directly onto the frosted side of the Mylar. This is referred to as your stencil or positive.
- Place stencil frosted side down on ImagOn laminated plate in the exposure unit.
- Set vacuum frame down. (or close contact frame)
- Expose for 5 seconds or 5 unit increments. (Longer exposure units for Quartz Halogen Lamps)
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Cover 1/4 of image with mat board and expose for 5 more units. Cover 1/4 more so that 1/2 of image is now covered, expose for 5 more units. Cover 1/4 more so that 3/4 of image is now covered and expose for 5 units more. There should be 4 different exposure times of 5, 10, 15 and 20 units. |
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- Do a standard still development for 9 minutes, heat set in heating cabinet, vinegar fix, wash and dry the plate.
- Pull a print and decide which area of the print closely resembles the stencil. More than one test may be required to get better results.
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