Puretch Photopolymer Solar Exposure with Space Bag for Photo Etching Demo #3

Puretch photopolymer high resolution etching resist for fine art photo etching and photo circuit boards, PCB. This DIY video will show you how to use a Stouffer step guide to determine solar exposure with Puretch photopolymer. A clear mylar Space Bag® will be used for the contact frame. They are very affordable and widely available. Exposure is for 8-20 seconds directly facing sun. I am using 4 stouffer guides for this test but you can do the same with one, the guide just has to be moved over for each exposure, redoing the vacuum each exposure. I also use a metronome set on 60 BPM as an audible timer for tests like this. If you will only be using solar to make plates, you should do mid-day tests at each solstice and equinox as a guide for your location. Note: a professional UV exposing unit and vacuum frame is recommended for very fine halftone work as there is a slight loss of details in the highlights with the space bag. The space bag is ideal for coarser bitmaps, line work or circuit designs. Use all materials at your own risk. capefearpress.com ©2009

Category:

Education

Tags:

• photo etching
• Puretch
• NuArc exposing unit
• Stouffer step guide
• solar printing
• sun
• vacuum frame
• contact frame
• Space Bag
• PCB
• photo circuit board
• intaglio
• photogravure
• printmaking
• Cape Fear Press

[Cristoviolanalgonas1]

Hello Jennifer,

Hey I have a question, how long is the film good for?

I bought some film from your website about a year more or less ago.

But i recently try to use it, and it seems bad, when I first got it it worked perfect.

But now some parts develop well and other parts not to good, it comes out uneven.

I keep it inside a sealed black plastic and dry place, don't know what happened to it.

Let me know when you get a fresh supply so I can order again.

[capefearpress]

@Cristoviolanalgonas1 The film has a one year shelf life. Many people use it successfully well after this. Store between 45 and 70ºF. The cooler it stays the longer it can last. Maybe your film got too warm.

[Colhoon]

I make pcbs with inkjet onto high resolution paper (canon i250), print negative then after printing, use baby oil rubbed on the back with a tissue to make it semi transparent, 30 second exposure in sunlight works fine. Have obtained 8 thou lines and spacing if needed.

[capefearpress]

@Colhoon This is great to hear. What part of the world are you in? I assume you are using the Space bag here with the Puretch. Bravo!

[Cristoviolanalgonas1]

@capefearpress

Okay, now I know. I also want to thank you for the good advice you have me about etching presses. I'm going to be sending you another order soon thanks!

[Colhoon]

@capefearpress queensland, australia .. I use the old top off a photocopier, the padded top and glass section and a couple of small plastic clamps.

My film is probably 5 years old and started having issues this week .. never fear (lol) got some more on the way from you thanks.

[dub1operator]

((((nice dub sound))))

[capefearpress]

Not sure what transparency paper is but if it's paper, this could be the problem as it's blocking too much light. You need to use clear film. I use Posjet. A few minutes in the sun with clear film would probably be too much unless you're at the North pole right now. Please e-mail through my site for further support.

[sunzoo1]

Yes I have tried to etch. There was no sign of the resist after about a minute of etching. I expose using transparency paper with design on top of the resist for a few minutes in noon day sun. I'll try a few more experiments before I get a stouffer. Just didn't think I'd need one for pure black and white transfers. Thanks

[rampandpark]

Have you etched one yet after doing a post exposure? The Your exposure may not be long enough but it's hard to say. This is why I recommend the stouffer. You may have enough film there to resist, don't judge by color.

What are you exposing with, how far from art and how long?