Use of Stripping Solution for Image Creation

At any point while the ImagOn plate is being stripped in the Lye solution it can be removed, washed and dried, and printed. It is possible to get a negative reading print with this technique..   

Materials:  
  • One of the unique image making characteristics of using ImagOn film is the ability to transform a image carrying ImagOn plate from a positive printing plate into a negative printing plate. This can be done by first cleaning the ink residue off the plate and dropping the plate into the ImagOn stripping solution. 
  • Because of the action of the stripping solution the ImagOn emulsion progressively erodes while maintaining the integrity of the image on the plate. 
  • The ImagOn areas that are dissolved in the stripping solution first are the areas of the plate that have the least deposits of ImagOn emulsion, the black areas.  The stripping solution progresses by stripping the plate in a linear way attacking the thinnest deposits of ImagOn first. 
  • At any stage of this stripping action the plate can be removed and rinsed in water, dried and printed. The actual time that a plate can be left in the stripping solution can vary from a few seconds to a few minutes depending on the actual solution used and the desired effect wanted in the reworked image. 
  • The thinnest areas are removed first and the thicker deposits of ImagOn film are fractured by the stripping solution. After the thinnest areas are removed all that is left is metal plate and with the previously thicker areas of ImagOn emulsion now stippled the plate will print in the negative form. 

Exposure 

 

 
Health Warning 
Rubber gloves RECOMMENDED for the development procedure. Repeated use of developing solution can dry out the skin and cause a dermatitis reaction on the hands. 
Health Warning 
Eye protection advised. 
The developer is an alkaline solution. Do not splash the developing solution into eyes. 

Health Warning
Dry without heat

Develop

  • Remove protective mylar

. . 

 

Dry Plate 


Harden Plate

Print Plate 

    Print in the Intaglio manner.

    Because of the deterioration of the ImagOn with this method, the ImagOn surface can be strengthened by coating it with Future prior to re-printing. Stand the plate upright in a developing tray, pour Future acrylic floor finish over the entire surface of the ImagOn emulsion and allow this coating to dry before printing.