Non-toxic gravure plate making (2)
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Preparation of ImageOn before lamination to the plate
Before the ImageOn film is laminated to the plate, the ImageOn film is cut and the size of the cut is slightly larger than the size of the plate.
Be especially careful when working with ImageOn films, as improper processing can make the ImageOn film uneven and cause unnecessary results in the final printing.
In this way, the ImageOn emulsion can be firmly attached to the plate so that the plastic film support layer of the film can be easily removed. As long as the ImageOn film is cut from the roll, it is itself curled. The support layer to be peeled off is located on the inner surface of this naturally curled surface. To remove the inner plastic support layer, place the ImageOn film between the thumb and forefinger and gently separate the thumb from the index finger so that the texture of the thumb prints the edges of the support layer and causes the support layer to curl back. This technique takes time and skill to master.
One of the best of both worlds is to wrap the corner of the ImageOn film, just like the corner of the book when you read the book, and rub the folded portion until the support layer is separated from the ImageOn emulsion layer. Be sure to remove the inner release support layer instead of the outer polyester film layer. The inner plastic peeling support layer has a soft feel, just like the gladiolus bag; the outer polyester film layer has a crisp, hard feel, just like cellophane.
Then, ImageOn is placed on the fairly smooth surface of the time press platform. This smooth laminated surface is made of stainless steel or Lexan polished. If the laminate surface is slightly scratched or defective, it will cause the ImageOn film to be unprintable and will be noticed in the final printing.
Then, the ImageOn emulsion was evenly sprayed onto the printing plate by means of a plant sprayer containing the external alcohol and water.
ImageOn Laminate
Although it is recommended to use an aqueous solution of alcohol mixed with a mixture of external alcohol and three parts of water in the lamination technique, it is still possible to stick the ImagOn film only by water. If water is used as a laminate, it is recommended that the plates be dried for several hours before use.
Some pre-etched or re-used layouts require a stronger aqueous alcohol solution so that ImagOn can be more effectively pasted. The higher the level of alcohol in the spray, the harder it is to work, because ImagOn will stick to the plate very quickly.
Laminating ImagOn onto the plate
The copper plate polished with 320 mesh wet-dry sandpaper will be raised 2 inches and parallel to the wet ImagOn film, and the plate will slowly drop to the surface of the film.
The edges of the ImagOn film are cut with a very sharp knife. Note: Do not touch the cutter with the etching table. Be sure not to cut the knife in this way, which would distort the laminated surface on the etched press platform.
When the excess ImagOn film is cut, the etched blanket drops over the entire plate and is then printed in the same manner, in which the printer consists of a plate of ink on foot. However, it is important to ensure that this action must be completed slowly. During the lamination process, the speed at which the press platform moves past the platen roller should be 1 foot per 12 seconds. Etching is usually applied to the grey fabric and the pressure of the printing press is slightly stronger than that required to print a premium product.
Once the ImagOn film passes through the press, the edge of the ImagOn film is subjected to a final cut to ensure that the ImagOn emulsion is aligned with the edge of the plate, ensuring that the blade is sharp and must be cut in such a way - The cutting action does not cause the edge of the ImagOn film to lift from the plate. This cutting action is very important. The plate can now be ready for exposure.
Exposure to ImagOn
Various types of UV light sources can be used for the exposure of the ImagOn film. Although sunlight can be exposed to ImagOn, it is almost impossible to obtain a constant result. Depending on the season and the time of day, the exposure time of sunlight can vary from a few seconds to a few minutes. While exposure times for other types of commercial exposure equipment range from a few seconds to a few minutes, it can produce good, constant results. In order to optimize the image effect, the most important thing is to strictly control the exposure. In addition, a good vacuum design for the exposure unit makes it important to create good contact between the positive dot film or line and the ImagOn emulsion.
For an efficient point source exposure device with optical integration, there is no real alternative. Because many commercial presses no longer use the older technology of point source exposure devices, they use exposure devices that are easier to provide. It is recommended that all print owners around you be called by telephone yellow pages to see if they have a plate blower to sell. Avoid using screen-printing exposure devices that use fluorescent light sources because these sources do not produce good results for ImagOn.
Exposure time
The vacuum platform uses a 400W mercury vapor lamp, 14" away from the vacuum platform. The exposure time varies from 15 seconds to 1.5 minutes depending on the template to be exposed. The exposure time of a household, 1000W, metal halide light source exposure device can be From 3 seconds to 20 seconds, these light sources can produce good results and can be found in any industrial electrical or lighting store. Make sure that the mercury vapor and metal halide lamps are clean. If you are assembling your own exposure device, make sure that there is Qualified electrical engineers are required to perform suspension installations and meet local safety certification standards. In addition, it is important to ensure that the human eye is not exposed to high-density UV light output. When assembling your own exposure device, it is best to use this. Design: Do not expose your eyes directly to UV light.
Regardless of the exposure system used, the most basic is to perform a step-by-step test to determine the correct exposure time for various applications and procedures related to gravure plate technology. Once the optimal exposure times for various gravure plates are obtained, optimal results are obtained for each element of each technology. It is important to understand this concept.
For any exposure device, determining the ideal exposure time is to do a series of test exposures to determine the best results. To determine the best exposure time, a test pattern is to be printed and printed in gravure. By doing these betas, you not only develop these plates and draw conclusions from them, but you also have an in-depth understanding of the Australian plate technology. Once these "optimal" exposure times have been determined, it is recommended that they be attached to the side of the exposure unit for later reference.
Stripping the top polyester film from the ImagOn coated plate
The top polyester film layer is peeled off before the exposed ImagOn printing plate is developed. Some technologies, like Howard-Type, require the polyester film to be peeled off prior to exposure. In both techniques, the stripping technique is the same. The handle is opened and the edge of the ImagOn coated plate is peeled off to peel the polyester film. Once the edge of the polyester film is lifted, it is peeled off from the printing plate.
ImagOn developer
Only a variety of anhydrous soda ash (sodium carbonate) was used.
10 grams of soda ash (approximately one teaspoon) plus about 4 teaspoons of hot water until the powder dissolves. Water having a temperature of room temperature was added to this already dissolved Souda ash solution to bring the total amount of the solution to 1 liter. The developer should be operated at a temperature of 65-70 uF. The solution is then added to the developing tank.
Development on ImagOn
It is recommended to wear rubber gloves during development because repeated use of the developer can irritate the skin, causing an inflammatory reaction in the skin of the hands. Since the developer is an alkaline solution, the most important thing is not to splash the developer into the eyes. For this reason, it is recommended to protect the eyes.
If the polyester film on top of the emulsion layer has not been peeled off, it is first peeled off from the surface of the ImagOn coated plate before development. Place the plate in the developer and wipe with a sponge for about 2 minutes.
Knowing exactly when image development is complete is an empirical problem based on the visual and tactile sensations of the image during the development phase. The unexposed areas of ImagOn are revealed by the action of the developer. After the unexposed ImagOn was revealed, the ImagOn emulsion left a bump. After the printing plate was completely developed, it was washed with room temperature water, and then the residual water on the printing plate was removed with a rubber roller.
The plate is then sent to dryness by drying it with a blower or by air drying.