Laminate (Apply) ImagOn to Plate Surface  

Remove Mylar liner from ImagOn film

• remove the top plastic peel back layer from the film. 
• The peel back layer is the inside surface of the natural curl. 
• To remove the inside plastic peel back layer place the ImagOn film between the thumb and index finger and gently push your thumb away from your index finger so that the texture of your thumb print catches the edge of the peel back layer and causes it to roll backwards. This technique takes time and practice to master.

• An alternative method:
• dog ear a corner of the ImagOn film and rub this folded section against itself until the inside peel back layer separates from the ImagOn emulsion. 

Make sure that the inside peel back layer is removed and not the outside Mylar layer. The inside plastic peel back layer has a soft feel somewhat like Glad Wrap and the outside Mylar layer has a stiffer feel similar to cellophane

 

Place ImagOn on Press bed with revealed "Sticky side up"

• placed onto a perfectly smooth surface 
• This smooth laminating surface can be polished stainless steel or Lexan.

Handle the ImagOn film carefully as mishandling causes dimples in the ImagOn film that can result in unwanted marks in the finished print.

Spray Alcohol Laminating Solution

• liberally spritzed with a plant mister containing a lamination solution
• Laminating solution = required in dry climates
• Not needed in damp climates

• it is possible to adhere ImagOn with just water. If water is used as the lamination solution it is advisable to allow the plate to dry for several hours before using it.
• Some pre-etched or reworked surfaces may require a stronger alcohol water mixture to cause the ImagOn to stick more effectively. The more alcohol that is present in the spray the more difficult it is to work with because the ImagOn will stick to the plate too quickly.

Place prepared plate prepared side down onto ImagOn Film

Replace mylar covering or place newsprint over plate and film

• Replace mylar covering or newsprint over the plate to protect the press blankets from the Imagon adhesive

Fuse the ImagOn to the Plate

• lower etching blankets over the entire plate
• run through the press in the same manner in which a print is made from an inked plate.
• slowly. 
• The speed of the press bed moving through the press rollers, during lamination, should be roughly one foot every 12 seconds. 

Trim edges of film around plate

• final trimming to ensure that the ImagOn emulsion is cut flush with the edge of the plate. 
• trimming knife has a very sharp blade
• cut down on the ImagOn film in such a way that the cutting action will not cause the edges of the ImagOn film to lift away from the plate.

• ImagOn film trimmed from the plate these small pieces of ImagOn can be recycled.
• See "Liquid ImagOn for Reworking the Plate".