I. Making the Image Plate
Allow All American to custom make your plates
1. Print your artwork on inkjet or laser film (mirror image). The artwork should be printed out in black with the highest quality to enhance the density of the print. The image on the film should be solid black. If you hold it up to a bright light and view it with a magnifier you should not see much light coming through the black portions. This is important if the image is not dense enough the plate will be too shallow for printing.If you can not get good image density you can call us at 215 634-2235 to find out about the correct printer to use and a film rip.
2. The reason for the mirrored image is to put the ink-side (printed-side) to touch the photo-polymer plate when exposing. This is called emulsion to emulsion contact and it keeps any light from getting in between the image and the plate so there is no loss of detail.
3. When you have your printed artwork on the film, trim down the film to fit the plate The artwork should be centered on the plate and about 45 mm (1.8”) from the top edge. Try not to trim just around the artwork because you will see the trimmed outline when you expose the plate.
4. Take a new photopolymer plate out of the black bag and peel off the plastic protector sheet.
5. Place the artwork (film positive) on the photo-polymer plate.
9. Put them back on the exposure unit and expose for another 120 seconds.
10. Take the plate to the sink and washout the plate for about two minutes in 80 degree water. 80 degrees feels not hot or not cold when you hold you finger in it.
Water that is too cold may not wash out the image correctly, water that is too hot may wash away the halftone dot pattern.
Wash for 1 to 2 minutes, the water will dissolve the unexposed polymer.
The image will not feel slimy when it is washed out correctly.
It is important to dry the plate thoroughly to remove the moisture from the polymer so it becomes hard and smooth.
Drying at 200 f for 15 minutes should be enough.
Overheating will cause bubbles in the polymer and bad spots in the plate.
11. Put the exposed and dried photo polymer plate back on the exposure unit and Post-expose for a minimum of 15 minutes, 30 minutes is even better and results in a harder plate.
This will harden the plate to its maximum hardness.
12. Your plate should be ready to be put on the machine.
