DRY PHOTOPOLYMER FILM is actually intended for use in the printed circuit industry. It was first adapted for use in fine arts intaglio printmaking in 1993-94 by Mark Zaffron.  This exciting tool introduces new levels of safety, economy, and versatility to the photomechanical etching process.  It makes it possible to simply and safely explore the integration of intaglio printmaking with hand-drawn, photographic, "xerographic", and digitally manipulated imagery.

The film is distributed by H-B Products, Inc. in rolls of 30 square feet (24" x 15').  The film is laminated to the etching plate with equipment common to all printshops.   It is developed in a 1% solution of sodium carbonate (which is available in any grocery store as commercial water softener, for example, Arm & Hammer Super Detergent Sodatm).  It has an extremely wide latitude for exposure and development, making it much less demanding to use than any of the pre-sensitized plates.

Developing the plate actually creates an intaglio version of the exposed image in the film itself.  Therefore, the image can be printed without actually etching the plate, allowing the same plate to be used repeatedly.  The photopolymer film will also act as a conventional photo resist, allowing plates to be etched in the usual fashion.  

The resolution is exceptional, depending on the quality of the positive transparency, images up to 1200 dpi are possible. 

Since it needn't be etched, Z*Acryl Photopolymer Intaglio Film can be applied to a variety of substrata--not just metal etching plates.