Where to get mylar to protect negatives

[andreios]

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]

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

 

[Loris Medici]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Meanwhile I'll try the food wrap or flower celophane

What a great idea! Print files also work well.

 

[Loris Medici]

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

 

[Mustafa Umut Sarac]

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]

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]

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

 

[Steve Smith]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[richard ide]

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]

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]

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]

I’m using Hostaphan some BoPET from Mitsubishi and I’m quite happy with it:

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

It is 15µm

Chris

 

[Mustafa Umut Sarac]

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]

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