Photopolymer Platemaking Service

I have provided photopolymer plates for the contemporary studio letterpress community since 1995. Offered are professionally processed premium-grade plates for today’s popular bases (Bunting, Patmag, Boxcar, Eluminum) with fast same day turn-around. I ship same day as well as provide convenient 24 hour pickup for folks in Greater Los Angeles. My service is client-based and primarily serves the Southern California region.

Film negatives are required. I recommend Tamburello Productions, an online silver-based film negative processing service who supplies a quality product at low cost with free delivery to The Bieler Press (contact Tamburello directly for their payment requirements). Tamburello requires receipt of e-files by 3:00 pm for early morning delivery the next business day.

Photopolymer Plate Specifications:

Currently stocked are the following Toyobo Printight brand plates for use with flatbases. These letterpress formulated photopolymer plates are state-of-the-art industrial quality. They are manufactured with photosensitive nylon resin, thus they hold detail and fine lines exceptionally well with no loss of imaging during presswork. The plates listed all meet the minimum hardness rating of Shore D 67˚.

• KF95GC—polyester-backed at .038" thickness—configuration used for non-magnetic bases such as a standard Boxcar Base, Eluminum, or of similar manufacture. Includes attached film adhesive interlay, with silicon protective sheet. Requires appropriate underlay if used on any flatbase measuring less than .875".

• KM95GR—steel-backed at .038" thickness—recommended for use on Vandercooks or Heidelbergs with properly configured magnetic base, e.g., a Bunting Magnetic Cerface Flat Base ground to .880". Can be used on a Patmag base with appropriate underlay (+/- .022). This is the plate I use at The Bieler Press for all of my production.

• KM152GR—steel-backed at .060" thickness—specifically recommended for use on job platen presses, such as a C&P or Kluge, and smaller platens, where roller height issues may be of concern. Common configuration for a Patmag base or Bunting Magnetic Cerface Flat Base (ground to .858").

Maximum plate combined image size (including required bordering, crop marks or other registration devices) is 16 by 22-1/2 inches. Plates are furnished with unaligned edges cut approximately 1/4 of an inch (+/-) around imaging (if more or less edge border is required client should request this with order and provide adequate room on e-file).

Imaging and Film Negatives:

B/W line art furnished for platemaking must be in the form of high-quality imagesetter generated silver-based film negatives with discernible emulsion side, a minimum resolution of 2400 dpi, and made as RREUs (emulsion side up/right reading). For PostScript based software select EPS or Press Quality PDF when submitting e-files to your film processor.

If you are sending film negatives ensure they are packed well (with slips of acetate facing the emulsion sides) and that there are no cat winks (kinks), scratches, particulate matter, or chemical residue on the film.

If client requires that I cut multiple plates from negatives, imaging must be separated by a minimum of three-fourths of an inch and aligned for linear cuttings in either direction. Cutting schematic must be emailed to me via PDF or enclosed with film negative. In all cases, to avoid processing problems please leave at least half an inch margin at outside edges of the film negative.

Negatives and all other materials are returned to client. Negatives are trimmed to facilitate platemaking.

Rates and Terms:

Please notify me via email of pending orders PRIOR to receipt of film as this provides a means of quick, specific communication, and scheduling. Attach a PDF of your imaging for identification purposes; this also allows for checking of possible technical problems prior to processing. To prevent delays, clients should provide contact information (including phone number) and indicate with order their delivery/pickup preference (with address for shipment), and specific plate needed.

Plates are available/shipped same day (M–F) at the rates listed below (film negatives must be received by 10:30 am for same day service). Client will be notified via email when plates are ready for pickup or have been shipped. Dates and times service is not feasible are listed at the tail of this post, and are to be considered prior notice. Large jobs may require more than one day to complete.

• KF95 plates are charged at 70¢ per sq. inch of image/s.

• KM95 plates are charged at 73¢ per sq. inch of image/s.

• KM152 plates are charged at 76¢ per sq. inch of image/s.

Minimum charge for same day processing is $30. Charged measurement includes approximately 1/4 of an inch (+/-) over plate’s image size—width and height (including client requested border)—per plate. Rush jobs, after hours work, or custom processing are subject to a minimum $45 additional fee.

Discounts: Automatic per job discount of 1¢ per sq. inch at 100–200 sq. inches; 2¢ per sq. inch at 200–400 sq. inches; 3¢ per sq. inch at 400–600 sq. inches; 4¢ per sq. inch at 600–800 sq. inches; 5¢ per sq. inch at 800–1,000 sq. inches; 6¢ per sq. inch at 1,000–1,250 sq. inches; 7¢ per sq. inch at 1,250–1,500 sq. inches; 8¢ per sq. inch at 1,500–1,750 sq. inches; 9¢ per sq. inch at 1,750–2,000 sq. inches; 10¢ per sq. inch at 2,000+ sq. inches (staggered or incomplete orders do not qualify in calculating total discount). Currently enrolled students in my letterpress instruction venues receive a rounded out 9 percent discount on platework.

Shipping is charged at cost. Shipping via UPS Ground or USPS Priority. Please indicate your shipper choice. If you need expedited service (guaranteed next day delivery) please indicate that as well. Shipments are insured for the value of both the plates and returned film negatives. I do not ship plates internationally.

State sales tax: California residents (9 percent is added for all nonexempt billings). Resale Certificate must be on file to qualify for tax exempt status.

Payment is due upon receipt of plates (and must be received within ten days for continued service). Personal checks, cash, and payments via PayPal and Chase QuickPay are acceptable.

Scheduling: No current conflicts.

Printing digital type on the hand-operated flatbed cylinder press — 5th edition, 2013

First published in 1998, Printing digital type on the hand-operated flatbed cylinder press was written by Gerald Lange and provides a wealth of detailed information on letterpress printing of photopolymer plates with proof presses such as the Vandercook. It is considered the definitive manual on the process. This forthcoming fifth edition is updated and expanded, and includes several related articles and essays.

Subjects covered are digital type and letterpress configuration (including font modification sequences for FontLab Studio and Fontographer); film negatives and imaging; photopolymer plates, flatbases, and platemaking equipment; the photopolymer platemaking process—preparation, exposure, washout, drying, curing; base lockup and press preparation; plate registration and travel; flatbed cylinder press presswork: impression, cylinder packing and makeready, rollers and inking; with additional notes on prepress cautions and considerations, press operation and maintenance, ink and paper, photopolymer plates and letterpress printing, and storage and care of photopolymer plates.

Reviews:

Printing digital type on the hand-operated flatbed cylinder press could not come out at a more appropriate time. . . . With his years of experience in type, printing and fine press publishing, Mr Lange brings both respect and credibility to the subject of digital type and fine press printing. —Wilber H. Schilling, Parenthesis: The Journal of the Fine Press Book Association

A masterpiece of concision. . . [Printing digital type on the hand-operated flatbed cylinder press] is well worth reading, not just for what it is, a technical guide to the process, but also as a masterpiece of the equally difficult art of describing a technical process in a few clear words. —Nicolas Barker, The Book Collector

Lange’s understanding of the way type design and printing processes are related is impressive, as is the [monograph’s] breadth of reference. —Andy Crewdson, Lines and splines

Gerald Lange is considered by many to be the leading teacher of letterpress printing in America. In this book he brings to digital type the old-world traditions of letterpress printing. —Phil Bevis, Arundel Antiquarian Books

If you care about the quality of your polymer plates, Gerald Lange’s classic book [Printing digital type on the hand-operated flatbed cylinder press] is mandatory reading. This is the book about polymer plates for letterpress. —Harold Kyle, Boxcar Press

This is one of the few letterpress manuals currently in print, and the only one specifically addressing both Vandercook proof presses (the gold standard for current fine letterpress printers) and photopolymer plates. This book is the authority on the technologies of “modern” limited edition letterpress printing. —David S. Rose, “Introduction to Letterpress Printing in the 21st Century.”

Lange covers all one would want to know about this radical “new” process, as well as giving some pointers on adjusting computer typefaces for optimal letterpress printing. —Katherine Bridges, A. Edward Newton Student Book Collection Competition winner, 2005

The leading spokesman for this process is the California printer and typographer Gerald Lange. His seminal Printing digital type on the hand-operated flatbed cylinder press offers the benefit of his extensive interrogation of the process. —Steve Rigley, Eye: The International Review of Graphic Design

This book is “must read” if you are printing with photopolymer or have any interest in making polymer plates yourself. Gerald Lange is a pioneer in photopolymer use for letterpress and has a wealth of knowledge on the subject. —Bradley Foster, Elum Designs

Printing digital type on the hand-operated flatbed cylinder press. . . is well written and informative. I particularly appreciate that you give clear explanations for why what you present works—the meta level that gets us beyond dogma and facilitates independent thinking. —Jonathan Antonio Edelman, Product Realization Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University

The fifth edition will be available in device specific ebook formats: mobi (Amazon Kindle), epub (Barnes & Noble Nook, Apple iPad), et al.

Bunting Magnetic Cerface™ Flat Bases

The Bieler Press is a manufacturing representative and distributor (since 1998) of the industry standard Bunting Magnetic Cerface™ Flat Base for Bunting Magnetics Co.

Bunting flatbases are manufactured in a number of standard sizes configured for the various size chases of all letterpress production presses, including Heidelberg, Kluge, Chandler & Price, and Miehle. Shown here is a MB811 (8-1/2 by 11-1/4 inch) Bunting Magnetic Cerface Flat Base (their largest standard size) locked up in the bed of a Vandercook SP15—a 15-inch bed wide Vandercook will accommodate two bases at this size, a 20-inch bed wide Vandercook four bases at this size. Custom sizes are available up to 19 by 39 inches.

This is the most exacting flatbase available for the professional letterpress printer. Housed in an aluminum shell, the powerful surface-mounted ceramic magnets hold steel-backed photopolymer plates or steel dies securely in register—without the need for interlay film or spray adhesives—and thus provide exacting impression—with no plate travel, stretching, distortion, buckling or bulging, loss of imaging, or adherence problems—throughout the most demanding of print runs.

Each base is ground to the client’s plate thickness requirements and its magnetism is guaranteed for life. These are precision ground, held to a tolerance between .000" and .001", and are parallel across the measure. Thus, multiple bases can be locked together without concern for variance (for precision, Bunting does recommend combination bases rather than going to a larger size base).

Bunting Magnetics was founded in 1959 and has manufactured their highly regarded magnetic bases since 1985. The Cerface model (introduced in 1994) is the most recent configuration of their flatbases.

Note: These flatbases can be ground for use on galley proof presses sans bed plate or other presses with non-standard type height requirements, such as foreign made presses.

Contact us for current manufacturer's pricing and fulfillment.

Currently in stock are MB811’s ground to .880 (for .038" photopolymer plates).

PPLetterpress

Photo courtesy Farida Sunada.

Founded by Gerald Lange in 2001, PPLetterpress is a community forum on contemporary studio-letterpress and letterpress-related typography. While the subject focus is on printing with digital type and the photopolymer plate process, the group site also encompasses related investigative and exploratory printing and typographic techniques, as well as historical and contemporary letterpress practices and concerns.

PPLetterpress serves as both a discussion list and reference site with online resources on type and typography, experimental and traditional printing, and allied interests.

Photopolymer plate material and plate processing supplies and tools for sale

• Green Die Sealer, a well known fast-drying, permanent, yet flexible, sealer for letterpress printing dies. It is also used for sealing the edging of a Green PVC adhesive sheet and/or a Magback (magnetic rubber) sheet on the platen of a photopolymer platemaking machine (used following installation of a replacement sheet or as repair to existing sheet). A very effective and extraordinarily long lasting water sealer. It also serves to prevent solvent invasion of film adhesive on polyester-backed photopolymer plates, ensuring bond. Removable. It is unaffected by cleaning solvents. Indispensable. Eight ounce squeeze tip Yorker type sprout plastic bottle. New, unopened, limited stocking. $29.95 (California residents sales tax is $2.70.) UPS Ground shipping only.

• Various lots of raw photopolymer plate material for sale by the pound. Offcuts consisting of various smaller sizes of Toyobo Printight KF95, KM95, or KM152. Used for letterpress, etching, metal clay and other debossing. Inquire as to pricing.

Photopolymer plate cleaning and plate longevity

Solvents/inks that have been indicated as detrimental to photopolymer plate health and longevity are those containing acetates. Plate washes formulated specifically for photopolymer plates are best, but are increasingly hard to find. Most of the plate washes that I have used, such as Anchor's Aled, are no longer on the market. Like type washes, plate washes are fast drying to prevent the solvent from remaining in the relief of the plate and contaminating the ink film.

A particular concern with photopolymer plates is cleaning during a pressrun. Ink runoff and debris, such as paper dust and rag fiber, can accumulate in the relief area of photopolymer plates, which, unlike metal type or metal plates, is tacky and will retain these materials. They will attract further ink into the relief areas and eventually come into contact with the surface film, causing your imaging to become fuzzy or blurry. This aggregate of material is quite difficult to successfully remove. If your plate processor supplies proofs along with your plate, you may notice the relief is already contaminated with lint and residue ink from the cleaning process.

Some solutions: Inexpensive fast dryers like 100% Isopropyl Alcohol (printer’s alcohol) or Coleman Lantern Fuel (white gas) work well as substitute plate washes if used in moderation. Note: these are highly flammable and need special storage containers. There are special lint free tight-weave cloths on the market (medical, aerospace) that I suggest for cleaning plates. A photopolymer plate brush or a soft toothbrush, such as those used for gum health, as well as a spray of compressed air, will help quite a bit in keeping the relief area clean.


In regard to storage, mainly keep the plates away from light and heat as well as ozone, the primary cause of plate deterioration. Ozone is generated by electrical motors, lighting, etc. It is also more common in the local atmosphere during the summer months. Combined with high temperatures it will deteriorate the plates quickly, and in severe conditions, cause cracking or splintering. It is not uncommon for polyester-backed plates with significant surface area to curl while in storage. While there is very little that can be done about this as these are the result of natural stresses, placing the affected plate in a tepid bath for a very short period and then drying it out in the oven may serve to relax it, but this technique by itself cannot revitalize the photopolymer.

Used plates should be stored flat in paper envelopes, wrapped in Saran Wrap or black plastic, or sealed in Zip Lock bags (a temporary means to preserve plates is a breathe of air into the plastic bag before closing, ensuring that moisture and carbon dioxide are trapped with the plate). Carbon dioxide baths have been used to preserve and revive plates in photopolymer's earlier years (we have tested this and it is valid) and antiozonants (such as ArmorAll) have preservative qualities, but it is far better to regenerate from the original negatives than to re-use an older plate, as you cannot successfully halt the degenerative process (the printing qualities of a freshly made plate, its tack and resilience, wanes over time). Save your film negatives in envelopes with the emulsion side protected with acetate slips.

Added 12/27/10. Note that recent regulations and changes in film chemistry have greatly reduced the longevity of film negatives. You are now better off preserving your original digital files and converting/translating them to current usage as appropriate.

Brush maintenance and adjustment

The operation of the washout unit of any platemaking machine is a matter of routine. Keep the water level of the bath about a quarter of an inch above the brush, if too low plate surfaces will score. A cup of distilled white vinegar added to the bath will provide a bit of needed acidity and keep mineral deposits from accumulating. After filling the tank and the bristle tufts are saturated, rub them with the flat of your hand to reduce their stiffness.

A minimum amount of care will provide long life to the brush. Degradation to brushes is primarily the result of platen wear pressure due to incorrect brush adjustment, distortion of the tufts, and accumulation of photopolymer debris. Never reheat a saturated bath as debris will adhere to the heating element and harden to the brush unit as well as the inside walls and floor of the tank. Brushes are expensive to replace so daily maintenance pays off.

Empty the bath water at the end of each day to prevent mildew and corrosion. If removable, drain the brush while flushing the bath. Photopolymer residue can accumulate at the floor of the brush and eventually interfere with washout effectiveness by distorting bristle tuft pattern. Spray the tank clean with a high-pressure hose but take care not to spray the bristles or they will tangle and mat. Fill the tank with fresh water and flush again. Clean the sides and bottom with a damp rag. Afterwards, rub the bristles slightly with the flat of your hand to spring the tufts upright. Leave the washout unit open overnight to allow the brush to completely dry out. Some manufacturers suggest never allowing the brush to dry. Defer to your manual.

Replace brush when it begins to fail to completely clean the floor of the photopolymer plate. The incidence of this will increase sporadically but will get progressively worse. Though it is otherwise hard to discern, replacement is forthcoming when the surface of the brush begins to reveal patterns where tufts are no longer retaining their shape. If distorted tufts are partially clinging to photopolymer debris on the brush plate floor, this can be remedied with a paint brush cleaning comb or heavy duty de-tangle dog hair comb (better). Regular use will improve the efficiency of the brush and greatly extend its working life.

To reduce wear on the brush test its surface level to the platen. The least amount of pressure is the correct pressure. On a perfectly leveled machine, a dry platen lowered to the wet brush (with water level reduced below the brush) should just show the markings of the wet tufts. If it is dry or overly wet, adjustment is necessary. The brush is adjustable, generally, simply by turning adjusting screws fitted to the brush frame. Consult your owner’s manual for the correct adjustment for your machine.

Essentially, if the platen is completely wet, lower the brush until the tufts no longer mark (and re-adjust until they do), if completely dry, raise them until they just touch. Compensate in raising or lowering for corners that may remain wet or dry. Tufts should just mark the platen—if only two sides of the platen show markings (parallel either horizontally or vertically) or if only the center area; that is okay. To be safe, turn adjusting screws uniformly only a half-a-turn until correct. Do not overly compensate for corners that may be either dry or wet.

Note that if you are routinely processing significantly different thicknesses of plate material or use a detachable PVC carrier sheet, the brush should be adjusted to compensate. If this is the case, it will pay to work out a procedure involving shims that can be easily inserted and removed.

Custom plate processing: Sliding of hairline rule and embellishments

Dependent upon the configuration of the imaging (usually raylike or circular patterns), sometimes distortion of hairline rule and similar extremely thin font or image embellishments can be corrected with increased exposure and less washout. This is the normal procedure. If, however, even after correction, the washout reveals the imaging to be stable but after oven drying it is distorted, the drying out process is the culprit. Imaging with minimal relief structure can actually slide out of position because of the contracting nature of the heat and the slippery wet pre-exposed photopolymer floor of the plate. Note that manufacturers back expose sheet photopolymer plate material before attaching to the backing, thus the floor is insoluble and is a plane of demarcation.

This problem is often easily cured. After the normal procedure of spraying and sponge drying the plate, try blowing the moisture off with a can of compressed air until the floor appears to be clear of water droplets. Put the plate in the dryer but check on it every couple of minutes or so. Amazingly, this can often solve the problem. Note again though that a complex imaging configuration may not allow for this quick fix.

On scales and lamps

A 21-step gray scale (from Dainippon or Stouffer) is used to determine exposure rates (most plate manufacturers supply an information sheet providing the correct step when exposing their plates). The scale is used to test lamp intensity, which should be undertaken periodically. Over time, lamps will degenerate and should be replaced (at approximately 750 to 1,000 usage hours.). If not, exposure consistency will wane with the consequence that plates are no longer able to hold fine detail. To compensate, exposure times need to be increased.

The scale is processed similar to that of a film negative. Process the plate as per your usual practice. The exposure rate should be your normal rate for when processing type. Other rates of exposure, such as those for solids and halftones, are determined correctly with the scale as well. Note that for accurate readings, plate material should be brought to room temperature and the lamps should be warm from previous exposure.

When processing is completed the plate will show step levels of gray. Some of the gray levels will have washed out and others will not have. One or two of the steps between the solid and washed out steps may exhibit slight surface corruption. The first step that does not show corruption indicates the exposure intensity of the lamps. Manufacturers have slightly different specifications for determining correct exposure. Toyobo, the manufacturer of the Printight plate, recommends a solid 14–15 for a .038" thickness plate and 15–16 for a .060" on the Stouffer scale. Other manufacturers have slightly different specifications. If the reading is lower than the recommended reading, it may be time to consider replacing the lamps as they have reached the end of their useful life.

Replacement lamps need to meet the manufacturer’s specifications for your machine. For consistent exposure, it is recommended that all lamps be replaced at the same time. Before replacing your lamps, you should inspect the lighting quality of the existent lamps. Pull the lamp drawer out, turn on the machine, and set the exposing timer for a short duration. Wear eye protection when viewing lamps under exposure. If a lamp is flashing (at start up or shut down), is slow to start, or inoperable, note its numerical position on the drawer, as there is usually an electrical problem not necessarily the lamp that is causing this problem.

Shut the machine off and disconnect the electrical cord. Pull the drawer out, either entirely or just as far as you need to. Remove all the lamps before installing the new lamps. The old lamps should not exhibit arching at the pins or oddities in coloration such as darkening at only one end of a lamp; an indication of a problem in circuitry (which will also shorten the life of the ballast). Gray or brownish bands near both ends of the lamp, however, is normal with lamp aging. Circuitry problems are usually the result of a poor connection either between the lamp pins and the lamp holder contacts, or between the ballast leads and the lamp holder terminals.

Some ultraviolet discharge lamps have a reflector side. This coated side should face down (to the vacuum table). When inserting the lamp make sure the direction of the bi-pin is correct. There are positioning guides (an embossed mark on the metal end cap) that will guide you. The lamp is turned 90 degrees and locked in place. Note the bi-pins must be secure and exactly parallel in the lamp holders. The positioning guide will help you discern if the lamps are correctly locked in place. It should be in the exact center position.

Check the lamps by reconnecting the electrics, starting the machine, and running a short exposure (with the lamp drawer open). If one or more of the lamps is not illuminated, note its position on the drawer and shut the machine off, disconnect the electrics and begin inspecting the connections. You can determine if a lamp is defective by switching its position with another lamp. This will tell you if it is the connections rather than the lamp itself that is the culprit.

Usually the problem is merely a loose connection to a lamp holder, especially if it is a quick-wire or pressure lock terminal rather than a screw terminal. The latter two are easily fixed simply through adjustment. Quick-wire terminals may pull loose when changing out the lamps so you will have to push on each of them to make sure they click back in place.

If the terminals check out okay, the wiring is otherwise correct, and you still have a problem with a non-functioning lamp, the ballast connected to this lamp position may be faulty and need to be replaced. If your platemaker is an older model and you are experiencing continual ballast failure, your ballasts are reaching the end of their life cycle and you should replace them all.