Steel-backed photopolymer
Steel-backed plates are meant to mount on magnetic bases; these plates do not work with the Boxcar Base. You'll cut these plates the same way you would a zinc or copper plate--with a metal sheer. If you don't have this equipment, hand-held tinsnips can cut through the steel-backing of the plates.
I have a Patmag base. What plates do I purchase?For the Patmag base user: we recommend the 152SB plate for most letterpress printers. Some printers find they prefer printing with a harder plate, the 145HSB. This harder plate gives less distortion than the 152SB on type smaller than 8 points or on thin lines. However, the 152SB holds slightly better detail.
I have a Bunting base. What plates do I purchase?
For the Bunting base user: the Bunting Base can be any height, but typically, the bases pair up with the 152SB or (less often) the 94SB. Bases that measure .858” use the 152SB. Bases that measure .880” use the 94SB. Use a micrometer or calipers to measure your base. You can also send in a polymer plate that's worked on your Bunting Base in the past, and we can match it up to the appropriate plate.
How do I process my photopolymer plates?I’m a metal clay artist. What photopolymer plates do I use?We carry plates that are very similar to those recommended by Art Jewelry Magazine. Many metal clay artists have used our plates to great success. We have several plate types that will suit your needs.
| what boxcar photopolymer should you use for metal clay? | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art Jewelry suggests | Boxcar Press plate | Boxcar plate thickness | plate material | impression |
| 0.8mm | 94FL | .94mm/.037” | plastic backed | shallower |
| 1.52mm | KF152 | 1.50mm/.060” | plastic backed | deep |
| 0.9mm or greater | 94SB | .94mm/.037” | metal backed | shallower |
| 0.9mm or greater | 145HSB | 1.40mm/.057" | metal backed | medium |
| 1.52mm | 152SB | 1.50mm/.060" | metal backed | deep |
Boxcar Press offers two options to metal clay artists. We can sell you unexposed polymer plates for Do-it-Yourself artists to create their own negatives and process themselves. Or we can take your digital files or images and professionally create plates for you, quickly and economically.
In either case, you will want to store your plates in a Ziploc bag out of sunlight. You may also want to consider using a silicon spray to protect the plate from the moisture in the clay. You will want to clean the plate with vegetable oil and/or a very small amount of water mixed with dish soap applied to a sponge. Exposure to too much water will cause the plate to deteriorate.
Remember, we’re a letterpress shop, and letterpress is our expertise. We can't answer specific questions about how our plates work with your process, but we can offer information on the polymer plate material, thickness, exposure times, and processing.
For additional information, you may also want to check out:
- Metal Clay yahoo group: join this vibrant community of over 3,000 artists.
- Maggie Berman’s site features a great instructional article on using polymer plates for metal clay, PMC, or precious metal clay artists.