How to Use a Printer to Make a Mold
- 1). Make an image. The image must be black and white. The image needs to be inverted or printed like a negative. Using your photo editing software, you can flip the picture to invert it. Click print, then click "Black and White" or "Grey scale."
- 2). Print your image on a transparency. To print on a transparency, load the blank transparency instead of paper. Spray your transparency with art fixative, which will prevent your image from smudging. Even the slightest smudge can ruin your printing plate.
- 3). Trim your transparency to the same size as the printing plate by using scissors. The size of your mold will dictate the size of your printing plate and transparency.
- 4). Remove the protective plastic off the printing plate.
- 5). Place the transparency on the plate, and lay both the plate and the transparency in a plate holder. Be sure the transparency is perfectly flat on the plate.
- 6). Set the transparency and plate in the holder under the UV lights. Read the plate manufacturer's recommendation for how long to leave your plate under the UV lights. Different plates have different time specifications.
- 7). Take your plate out from under the lights and remove the transparency.
- 8). Wash out the plate by using water and a soft toothbrush. You should wash out the plate until all you have left is your plate backing and your image.
- 9). Dry the plate. First use newspaper to blot as much water from your plate as possible. Finish drying with your hair dryer.
- 10
Put the plate back under the UV lights to allow it to harden. - 11
Trim the plate to the size needed for your mold. - 12
Poor plaster into a cake pan. The size of cake pan you need will vary depending on the size of mold you need. Select a cake pan that is large enough to accommodate your custom mold. - 13
Place your hardened plate into the mold to create the imprint. - 14
Allow your mold to harden overnight.
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