if you are not 100% sure of what you are doing, ask for help
the essential guide to polymer plates
1.
preparing your file for print • create your file in InDesign or Illustrator • outline all type (Type > Create Outlines) • each color will be run separately on the press so divide your design into the different colors • make each element 100% black • save or export to a PDF
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2.
• keep in mind the sizes that your printer will print • reduce white space on your negative by ganging up multiple images or elements on the same negative • you can always cut down your polymer plates into smaller pieces • this saves money on negative and plate materials
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submitting your file to the printer
• we have two printers who can make the correct type of negative: On the Mark is located in Manassas, VA and will ship your negative to you. CSPUSA is located in Falls Church, VA, where you can pick up your negative. CSPUSA offers Corcoran students a 10% discount. On the Mark prints negatives in these sizes: 9.5" x 12" 12" x 18" 19" x 25" 25" x 38"
$15 $22.50 $45.00 $75.00
E-mail your PDF (make sure to convert your fonts to outlines) to otmark@onthemark.com specify: right-reading, emulsion-side up Shipping Address: Attn: Letterpress Studio 1801 35th Street NW Washington, DC 20037 Finally, call On the Mark 703.335.1522 to pay!
3.
Color Service Printing and Graphics prints these sizes: 8.5" x 11" 9" x 12" 11" x 17" 12" x 18" 14” x 20”
$15 $18 $20 $23 $30
upload your PDF (make sure to convert your fonts to outlines) at: http://upload.cspusa.net/ specify: Corcoran College in “company name” specify: right-reading, emulsion-side up in “additional details” Pick up in person at: 2927 Gallows Road Falls Church, Virginia 22042 Or, call CSPUSA 703.321.8100 to pay!
preparing the plate
• cut your negative into the individual units that will be printed • leave at least a .25” blank margin around each element
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if you are not 100% sure of what you are doing, ask for help
the essential guide to polymer plates • cut down plate material that is larger than your image, but smaller than your negative • you may use the board shear to make a clean cut
4.
using the plate maker PREPARING THE PLATE MAKER
1. Turn on the plate maker with the bottom left green button. 2. Open the lid slowly. 3. On the back of the plate maker is a red handle. Pull it up so that water will not drain from the basin. 4. Put the brush pad into the basin. The brushes should be in the white tupperware bin filled with water. 5. Slowly turn the blue water handle on the wall. Do not fill the plate maker too quickly water will splash out and into the electrical components below the washout unit. 6. Fill the water to the top of the bristles EXPOSING THE PLATE
1. Open the drawer directly below the basin. 2. Peel the film off of the unexposed polymer plate. If the film’s backing has pulled away already, and has sat for a long time, it may not expose correctly. 3. Place the unexposed plate face-up (the side that you peeled off should be up) on the bed. 4. Place your negative down onto the plate. It should read backwards to you. If there is no text, double check against a proof/mockup to ensure that appears backwards to you. 5. Gently roll the plastic sheet up over the plate and negative, making sure you don’t move it too much. 6. Turn the vacuum on using the buttom in the upper left corner. 7. Place a piece of lead material on the top and sides to ensure a clean seal. Smooth out any air pockets that are on your plate. 8. Push the drawer in and expose the plate for 360 seconds using the upper right START button. WASHING OUT THE PLATE
1. When the plate has finished exposing, turn off the vacuum using the top left button. 2. Move the plate to the green pad above the brush pad. Make sure the green pad is dry. 3. The side that was facing up on the exposure bed should be facing out. 4. Close the lid slowly. 5. Turn the washer unit on by pressing the top middle START button. DRYING THE PLATE
1. When the washer unit is finished, slowly open the lid. 2. Move the plate to one of the bottom two drawers (they have holes in the bottom). 3. Turn the dryer on for 8 minutes by pressing the top left START button. 4. While it is drying, turn the handle on the back of the unit to release the water. Even if you are making additional plates, you must change the water each time. POST EXPOSING THE PLATE
1. When the plate is dry, move it back to the exposure bed. 2. Do not pull the plastic film or turn on the vacuum. 3. Press the bottom right START button to post-expose for 240 seconds. TURN OFF AND UNPLUG THE MACHINE WHEN YOU ARE DONE. YOU MUST USE NEW WATER FOR EACH PLATE. IF YOU DO NOT, IT WILL GET TOO HOT AND YOUR PLATE WILL WASH OUT TOO THIN AND WILL NOT PRINT CORRECTLY.
if you are not 100% sure of what you are doing, ask for help
the essential guide to polymer plates
5.
printing with your plates • use the blue roll of adhesive (found in the cabinet with the polymer plates) • stick the plate to the roll • cut off the appropriate amount • trim the plate down (if you do this after the adhesive has been attached, it makes it easier to get the backing off) • peel off the backing and stick the plate to the base
QUESTIONS? ASK YOUR FRIENDLY LAB TECH OR INSTRUCTOR.
QUICK GUIDE 1.
expose 360 sec
2.
wash 270 sec
3.
dry 8 min
4.
postexpose 240 sec
TURN OFF AND UNPLUG THE MACHINE WHEN YOU ARE DONE. YOU MUST USE NEW WATER FOR EACH PLATE. IF YOU DO NOT, IT WILL GET TOO HOT AND YOUR PLATE WILL WASH OUT TOO THIN AND WILL NOT PRINT CORRECTLY.