Recommendation for plate mounting film
Hi all, I’m wondering if someone can help.
I’m looking for a recommendation for a supplier of plate mounting film (0.1mm) in the UK. I’m currently using a tape made by Orafol (brown backing) but I found it almost impossible to remove the plate from my base after printing. So much so that I bent the metal backing. Perhaps the adhesive is too aggressive? Or I’m applying too much pressure? Either way, I’d rather be using a tape that is tried and tested on a Windmill press. Any suggestions for a beginner most welcomed :-)
Thank you
Find Lohmann Dublo Tape, it’s the standard for Flexo Plates
Look at 3M 2205 tape at the bottom of page 5 below. It is .013 mm and designed to be removeable:
https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/175699O/flexographic-mounting-system...
Per Typenut above, here is Lohmann’s website, who makes Duploflex
https://www.lohmann-tapes.com/
However, here’s another idea. As I recall from years ago, we used to make polyester backed flexo plates easier to remove by painting the backs with a very dilute solution of shellac. I think we would mix up about one part liquid shellac to ten parts thinner. (You can get shellac which is alcohol soluble, so it is easy to thin). When brushed on, that would form a very thin coating, which would not make the back of the plate bumpy or anything. I think we used a sponge brush to get a nice even coating on the back of the plate. It definitely made the plate easier to get off. So, even though the back of your plates isn’t polyester, it just might work.
I have used a 4thou thick double sided tape fron Davies Industrial supplies -www.davies.co.uk I print polymer and lino on a windmill and use their tape. I would be wary about using metal backed polymer as it is impossible to lift without damaging the backing although that said back in the days we use to heat up the mounts on a gas ring and that would burn the tape allowing the plate to be removed but the plates were zincos. I would use the plastic backed polymers, they are easy to lift. Another source of tape is Lyme Bay Press.
Thanks all, most helpful. Going to do some research based upon the feedback.
BTW, real shellac (secretions of the lac beetle) is alcohol-soluble, otherwise, it’s not actually shellac. There are also shellac substitutes- lacquer, polyurethane, etc, which use different solvents.