• Rayzist SR3000™ 3 mil Photo Resist Film
• Adobe Photoshop
• LaserFilm™ (Film Positive substitute) with use of 600 dpi Postscript Laser Printer or better
  OR InkJet Film (Film Positive substitute) with use of a 600 dpi or better  Inkjet Printer

Photo Preparation
Simplify the photo as needed by removing distracting elements and backgrounds.  This process can be done more efficiently with a plug-in like Extensis Mask Pro.

Photoshop Settings
Make sure the photo is converted to a grayscale image and then setup the screens and transfer function under the File->Page Setup.  Set the screens to a frequency of 45, an angle of 45, and a shape of "ellipse". 

To make sure that no area in the photo is completely blank, change the Transfer function to a value of 10% in the 0 field.

For blasting on a black surface such as black granite the photograph will need to be lightened as much as possible. The final picture will look darker than the image on a computer monitor or a laser printout. Adjust levels and contrast/brightness as needed.  Make test prints as need during the process until you are satisfied with the appearance of your photo.

When satisfied with the results of your test print, switch the photograph to a negative, and print on LaserFilm.

Download Sample EPS
 (ZIP 873KB)

Exposing Photo Resist
Expose the film negative with SR3000™ 3 mil photo resist film. (25 seconds with a Letralite™ Exposure Unit).

Be careful not to over wash.
Allow to dry.

Masking and Blasting
Clean the surface of the substrate with glass cleaner. In colder weather we recommend you warm the item to about 70°F.

Apply mask and transfer carefully with a Plastic Burnisher and a Wire Wheel Brush.

Sandcarve with 220 grit aluminum oxide. While blasting, go over the entire area of the photo using a small circular blasting pattern. When the clear membrane blasts away completely the area has been sufficiently etched.

Remove the mask entirely and consider applying a thin coat of lithochrome (white or highlight) paint. Allow the paint to dry and then remove excess with a clean razor blade.