. .ImagOn Process Index

.  ImagOn Techniques 

..Projects   
   
..Schedule   

 . Ink Modifiers   

..Printing    
    
 .Ink Cleanup    

 .Plate Prep    

 .Use of Photocopies   

 . Additives & Cleaners   

 . Olec Exposure Unit   

 .Basic ImagOn Process 

 
• In the Howard-Type technique, after the ImagOn is laminated to the plate, the artwork is exposed to the ImagOn with either this top Mylar layer in place or with this Mylar layer removed. Not only is there a great image making difference between these two techniques but also the methodology for using them differs. 

 

At this point the ImagOn laminated plate has a top protective Mylar layer which may or may not be removed before exposure. The decision to leave or remove this top protective layer will be based on the desired effect required in the final print. The difference between leaving this protective layer on, before exposure to the artwork, to the final printed image is that this image will have greater contrast and less detail.  Taking the Mylar off before exposure will result in a greater detail and less contrast.  If the Howard-Type-ON technique is used then the top Mylar protective layer is left on the ImagOn film before exposure to the art work the procedure is straightforward.  
  
The Howard-Type-B: Exposing the ImagOn to the Halftone with the top Mylar layer off. 
Once you have developed a familiarity of the visual printed difference between the Howard-Type-On and OFF methods it is possible to make your halftone in respect to which technique will allow you the best output image. This will depend not only on a working understanding of the differences between these techniques but also to the contrast factor of the negative that is used to make the halftone. For instance if you have a high contrast negative and you want to minimize the contrast in the final image then it would be advisable to use the Howard-Type-OFF technique. If on the other hand you had a low contrast negative and you wanted a finished image with more contrast then you would use the Howard-Type-ON technique. Due to the unique nature of ImagOn photopolymer film both ON and OFF techniques allow another level of image manipulation that has until now been unavailable.  

If the Howard-Type-OFF technique is used remove the top Mylar layer from the ImagOn plate, as outlined in the "Quick Start Guide", after which the emulsion side of the halftone is placed in direct contact with the ImagOn emulsion and run through the etching press. This ensures absolute maximum possible contact between the halftone and ImagOn emulsion. This etching press lamination technique is only recommended for lith film halftones, as any other artwork would bond permanently to the ImagOn surface. Another reason this technique is only recommended for halftones is that any other type of artwork, such as a wash drawing, would be destroyed by the developer. 

If your halftone image is smaller than the ImagOn covered plate it must be covered with a larger piece of clear Mylar film to prevent the ImagOn from sticking to the etching blankets.  The halftone may have a tendency to stick to the ImagOn emulsion but it can be easily removed by submerging the entire plate in to the developing solution and removing the halftone while submerged.  

If the etching press is used to adhere the lith film halftone to the ImagOn emulsion the need for a vacuum frame during exposure is eliminated.  There is one other advantage to bonding the halftone to the surface of the ImagOn laminated plate. After exposure the image on the plate can be masked out with certain types of red masking film such as Rubylith or Mask Out (the type of masking film screen printers use) or negative tone drop-out lith film images produced from the halftone in use. Certain selected areas of the halftone can be exposed for longer periods without fear of the halftone moving out of register with the previously exposed areas.  

Removing the Top Mylar from the ImagOn Coated Plate.  
If any resistance is detected, when removing this protective Mylar layer, leave the plate in a darkened cupboard or drying cabinet until completely dried. If time is of the essence the film can be removed immediately after lamination but on some non-metallic plates the edges may lift.  

There are some fragile type stencils, such art work made from laser printers and hand drawn or painted art work that will necessitate leaving this protective layer on because of the potential for this kind of art work to stick to the ImagOn emulsion.  The longer the ImagOn coated plate is left to dry the less the likelihood of the artwork sticking.  
If you still wish to expose other kinds of art work, other than a lith film positive, rub a small amount of vegetable oil on to the art work and to the ImagOn emulsion before placing it the vacuum exposure unit. This action helps to prevent the artwork from sticking to the ImagOn emulsion.  
 

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