Several years ago I took a Solar Plate workshop. Solar Plates consist of an orange, photo sensitive film laminated on a thin steel plate. These plates are extremely durable so a large edition may be printed from the plate. A transparency of a photo positive is placed on top of the film (after an aquatint screen) and it is then exposed to strong UV light for a short period of time. Next, develop it in a water bath for two minutes, dry and light cure the plate, then ink and print. You may also draw on the surface before exposing and developing, with oil crayons, sharpies, ink and possibly other media. These plates are machine milled so they are perfect… the edges, the surface have no flaws. So why do I hate working with them? First of all, they are really expensive! This fact alone stifles my creative potential in working with them. So, you pretty much are always working on a small plate, 5″ x 7″. After you expose, develop and print the edition, the plate is essentially garbage, or, you might flip it over and do something on the back. The surface is too tough to alter unless you have a strong touch and some electric carving tools. These plates are perfect for book arts where you want consistent high quality reproductions of the same image.
I started experimenting with ImagOn photo film about 10 years ago. The newest version is called ImagOnHD (high definition). So why do I love this product? First of all, it comes in a roll and you cut whatever size you like. It is then laminated – by you – onto a plate. The plate may be steel, copper, zinc, aluminum, plexiglass, linoleum, wood…pretty much anything that can be run through a press. Since plexiglass is transparent with the film applied, simply print upside down (paper on the press bed instead of the plate) and you’ll have perfect registration for multiple plates/colors. Also, it is a fraction of the cost of Solar Plates. The film may be exposed without a plate and cut into pieces and then applied in layers. Paint on it with silk screen filler for interesting effects. Wrinkle it up and then apply it to the plate. An ImagOn plate may even be etched in solution. So what are the negative aspects of working with this film? Because you are laminating it yourself, many mistakes may be made and I’ve made most of them. I’ve laminated dog hair, my hair, pieces of lint, etc. under the film. Since the lamination is done in low light, sometimes you can’t see some of this stuff on the plate. Little bubbles can be present and the edges are not perfect. I don’t mind these imperfections. Also, these plates wear out quicker than a Solar Plate so editions are smaller – not a problem for me. The plates are also recyclable so when you are done printing the edition, simply strip off the film in strong developing solution and reapply film. ImagOnHD plates are exposed to light in almost the same way as a Solar plate. They are developed differently, however: nine minutes in a bath of sodium carbonate and water. Sodium carbonate is basically a stronger version of baking soda and is sold in stores as “washing soda” (Arm and Hammer). Historically, this product was used to make homemade laundry detergent. 