Where to get mylar to protect negatives

andreios · Nov 18, 2013

Hello,
after I got a tiny spot of kallitype emulsion on my film I am trying to get some thin mylar (0.003inch/76.2 microns) to put between the negative and the sensitized paper. Couldn't find anything locally.
Any ideas where to look for such a thing?

THanks!

A.

Andrew O'Neill · Nov 18, 2013

Do you mean acetate? A good art store/supply shop should carry it.

Loris Medici · Nov 18, 2013

Andreios, try flower shops; they usually have pretty thin (thickness: 2 mils / 50um) clear polyester film for packing bouquets. Anything above 50um is not much advisable, starts to significantly harm sharpness. (50um is about right, as thin as it can get w/o getting too hard to handle - such as cling flim...)

Hope this helps,
Loris.

bdial · Nov 18, 2013

I've used plastic food wrap, the type that clings to itself. It is very thin, though not aways easy to handle because of its clinging property.

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Nov 18, 2013

There must be a Dupont office at your city or Germany. If you call them , they would inform you about an supplier who will sell you by meters from the roll.

Good luck,
Umut

andreios · Nov 19, 2013

Thanks for the tips, I've found Dupont office and tried to email them.. Meanwhile I'll try the food wrap or flower celophane

Andrew O'Neill · Nov 21, 2013

Meanwhile I'll try the food wrap or flower celophane

What a great idea! Print files also work well.

Loris Medici · Nov 21, 2013

Yes Andrew, protective sleeves do indeed work well as long as their thickness <= 3mils.

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Nov 21, 2013

What about fluoropolymer or Kapton ? They are technically better stuff. Fluropolymer is extremelly advanced product , it does not harm with chemicals or uv and tear resistant. If Dupont turns you back , you can ask the supplier about product range they sell. Polyester is weak to chemicals and uv , high heat and tear and cheap stuff. Fluoropolymer films are used as satellite wraps at space and non oil changing for years automobile engines. There is no way to destroy it.

Loris Medici · Nov 21, 2013

Hi Mustafa, you don't need extremely durable / hard to find exotic stuff. A sheet used as impermeable protective barrier between the coated paper and negative isn't normally reused for more than 2-3 times at maximum. All you need is a film that is very clear, thin (<= 3mils) but stilll easy to handle and transparent to UV. BoPET is cheap, easy to source and perfect for the job.

Regards,
Loris.

Andrew O'Neill · Nov 21, 2013

The print sleeves (called protector sheets) I get from my local art store are very thin.

Steve Smith · Nov 21, 2013

Andrew O'Neill said:
Do you mean acetate? A good art store/supply shop should carry it.

No. Mylar is a DuPont trade name fpr their polyester products.

Make sure you ask for the right type as it's available in white and semi-opaque as well as clear.

If you just want a few sheets, I could send you some.

Steve.

andreios · Nov 24, 2013

Hi guys, i do have a contact on a seller (small scale, not industry wholesale) but I haven't managed to call him yet..
I wonder however - I supposed the mylar could be reused many times and someone here mentioned only 2-3 times.. how durable is this stuff?
@Steve- thank you for your kind offer, I'll contact you if I don't find a reasonable solution locally.

Sent from my i9300 using Tapatalk

erikg · Nov 24, 2013

Any place that carries archival framing and matting supplies will have it. It is quite strong and can be reused many times. There are different thicknesses, the thinnest would be best for what you want to do. I did the same when I was printing non-silver.

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Nov 24, 2013

Fluoropolymer have higher refractive index and your prints would be even sharper. It is the strongest plastic on earth.

richard ide · Nov 24, 2013

I have been using polyester and LDPE Polyethylene sleeves for 40 years and notice no difference between the two; both for making contact prints and archival properties.

AgX · Nov 24, 2013

Mustafa Umut Sarac said:
Fluoropolymer have higher refractive index and your prints would be even sharper. It is the strongest plastic on earth.

From a theretical point of view: the lessser refractive indix, thus nearer to air, the better.

Steve Smith · Nov 24, 2013

erikg said:
the thinnest would be best for what you want to do.

The thinnest we have is 75 micron (0.003"). I wouldn't use anything thinner. Thicker can be used but it depends on the light source. If a single bulb or the sun is used, then the thickness isn't going to make a lot of difference but if a large light source such as several UV tubes is used, the light can come in at all angles so the thinner, the better to reduce softening of the edges of the image,

Steve.

chrisaisenbrey · Nov 24, 2013

Im using Hostaphan some BoPET from Mitsubishi and Im quite happy with it:

http://www.kremer-pigmente.com/en/product.html?info=9955&sorting=model

It is 15µm

Chris

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Nov 24, 2013

From a theretical point of view: the lessser refractive indix, thus nearer to air, the better.

you are right but I bet fluoro have higher abbe number also higher partial dispersion number.

nsurit · Nov 28, 2013

Krystal Seal Archival Art and Photo Bags will do the trick. Available from an art supply store. Just Google Krystal Seal. Bill Barber

Where to get mylar to protect negatives

andreios

Andrew O'Neill

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bdial

Mustafa Umut Sarac

andreios

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Andrew O'Neill

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Steve Smith

andreios

erikg

Mustafa Umut Sarac

richard ide

AgX

Steve Smith

chrisaisenbrey

Mustafa Umut Sarac

nsurit

Where to get mylar to protect negatives

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