FILM & PHOTOPOLYMER PLATES

 

IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ OUR NEW FILE REQUIREMENTS BELOW BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR FILES FOR PROCESSING!

How to Order

We process film and plates on Wednesdays and Fridays. Please submit your file by 10 am for same-day processing. Files received after 10 am will be processed on the next scheduled platemaking day. Please send your files to film@theaestheticunion.com with the following information:

  • Name

  • Phone number

  • Shipping address

  • Film/Plate size and material

  • Quantity of film/plates

  • Do you need crop marks (if you haven’t added your own)?

  • If ordering plate(s), would you like your film?

  • Shipping method or pickup

  • Please remember to attach your file(s), including any linked image and/or font files

Note that if no plate material is specified, we will process a standard relief (KF95) plate, which is our default plate material. Our preferred file types are native Illustrator (.ai) or Indesign (.indd) files with all fonts outlined (or font files included). If you have images, please include the individual image files as well. We can also process press-quality PDFs and bitmapped images. For halftones or trapping multicolor files, please call to discuss.

If your file(s) require editing, we will assess a small pre-flight charge (price dependent on the time required for revisions).

Pricing

We offer a 15% discount for students and those in need. Please mention “student discount” in your email.
Film output is included in the price of photopolymer plates.

Photographic Film
We run film both film positives for screen printing and RREU film negatives for photopolymer plates.

  • $28.00 minimum charge for film (up to an A4 size)

  • $37.50 for A3 size film positive or negative

  • $0.28/square inch for film larger than A3.

  • Fixed film width of 13 inches, length is variable (from a roll)

  • For screen printing film positives, please tell us the mesh count of your screen, and if you require any trap for printing multiple colors.

  • The price of film is included in all plate orders.

Standard Relief Plates (KF95)
Our most popular plate, the KF95 material features a flexible, transparent plastic backing. All KF95 plates come with a double-sided adhesive layer and are designed to fit onto a standard height Boxcar base.

A5 (5.8" x 8.25”): $49.26
A4 (11.7" x 8.25”): $94.59
A3 (11.7" x 16.5”): $180.60

Deep Relief Plates (KF152)
Our KF152 deep relief plates offer a bit more flexibility for inking, making them a good option for owners of older C&P platen presses or other letterpresses with older rails. Like the KF95 plates, they feature a flexible plastic backing with a double-sided adhesive layer. KF152 plates are designed to fit onto a deep relief Boxcar base.

A5 (5.8" x 8.25”): $54.92
A4 (11.7" x 8.25”): $101.67
A3 (11.7" x 16.5”): $194.77

Please Note: We are no longer processing metal-backed (MF152) plates.

File Prep Requirements

  • Build your file in CMYK color space (not RGB)

  • Please make sure your blacks are 100% K and not “rich black”.

  • Preferred file formats: Illustrator (.ai, .eps, .pdf), InDesign (packaged .indd file with linked fonts and images, .pdf) formats preferred. If saving as a PDF, please choose the "Press Quality" option with no color conversion.

  • Make sure all art is set at 100% scale and 100% opacity (anything less than 100% will produce a halftone screen in your artwork)

  • No need to reverse the image, please send the file as you would like the image printed, our software handles inverting.

  • For single-color plates or manual separations, please build all artwork in 100% K (black) with a white background.

  • If working in Photoshop with a photographic or tonal image, note that subtle tonal information in the background may plate with a halftone screen if it's not set to 100% white.

  • If you have elements that are stroked, please make sure that both fill and stroke colors are set to 100% K.

  • Make sure any crop marks are at least .5 stroke width.

  • For multiple color separations, please use Pantone spot colors or 100% CMYK separations.

  • Minimum line weights: any lines, punctuation marks, etc. that are finer than the recommended values below will have a tendency to bend, break or wash off in the platemaking process

    • KF95 regular relief plates: 0.25 point recommended minimum line weight

    • KF152 or KM152 deep relief/steel back plates: 0.35 point recommended minimum line weight

Type

  • Outline all fonts (in Illustrator or InDesign, go to Type > Create Outlines) or include your font files (safest)

  • No Photoshop type; use Illustrator or InDesign instead for high-quality type resolution

  • Double-check all spelling, grammar and dates, if applicable

Crop Marks

Both InDesign and Illustrator have script options for inserting crop marks. InDesign allows you to specify how long to make them (Illustrator’s default crop marks are really long in comparison):

  • In Illustrator, highlighting the object, then going to Effect > Crop Marks

  • In InDesign, highlight the placed image object, then go to  Window > Automation > Scripts, and under the Scripts window, go to Application > Samples > JavaScript >  CropMarks.jsx. We like crop marks at least 10 points long, .5 point thick. Be sure to offset your crop marks, too -- we recommend at least by 6 points.

IF REQUIREMENTS ARE NOT MET, WE WILL SEND BACK YOUR FILE WITH A FIX REQUEST. THIS MAY CAUSE A DELAY IN THE PROCESSING TIME OF YOUR JOB.

Please note that we are not responsible for any typos, file errors, or missing or screened elements that are not set properly in your digital file(s). Please double-check that your document color mode is in CMYK and that all elements are properly set to 100% K or your preferred custom PMS swatch color(s).