MAKING FULL-SIZE TRANSPARENCIES FOR CONTACT-PRINTING

Full-size negative transparencies can be made photographically or digitally:

PHOTOGRAPHIC:
The traditional way of making a full-size transparency is photographically, by enlarging a black & white negative onto a sheet of litho film such as Kodalith. This gives a full-size positive transparency, that can be contact-printed onto another piece of litho film to obtain a negative transparency. For safe handling of litho film, use a red safelight.

Avoid overexposure during printing by using a 40 watt bulb at least 4 feet away as a light source. To obtain continuous tones, use a paper developer diluted at least two times the recommended rate, such as Dektol 1 part to water 4 parts; do not use a litho developer, which will give a "line" image.

Instead of litho film, you can make your own full-size "film" by coating Liquid Light or Ag-Plus emulsion onto glass or acrylic, and exposing as described above. Be sure the surface of the substrate is prepared for good adhesion, as described in the instructions. Use either an amber or red safelight. Develop in paper developer such as Dektol at the recommended dilution of 1 part developer to 2 parts water.

DIGITAL:
You can start with any kind of original-- a black & white print, color print, black&white negative, color negative, black&white or color slide, digital photograph, or an illustration taken from a book or magazine. You can also start with a drawing or a solid object like a leaf (popular with beginners.)

If you have a scanner or a digital camera, you can scan an image and print it onto transparency film (available from our website) with an inkjet or laser printer. You can manipulate the image with a computer as needed, making it black & white if the original is in color, changing the contrast, reversing from positive to negative, etc. For large prints, you can make multiple transparencies and scotch-tape them together.

If you don't have access to a scanner/printer combination, you can use a photo-copier and print onto laser transparency material. Or easiest method of all, you can take the original artwork to any office service store like Staples, OfficeMax, Office Depot, Kinko's, etc. and order a transparency or set of transparencies made to your specifications.

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