Wanted: Photopolymer

Photopolymer is expensive. An 11 x 17 plate will cost more than $100 just for the blank. If there is a lot of white space in the design you should cut it up as small as possible so that you are just making individual graphics and text blocks that you can arrange on the press later instead of one big fat plate.

If you're willing to take an introductory class at the San Francisco Center for the Book (http://www.sfcb.org/), you can produce your own plates at the center by renting time on their plate maker. You'll have to supply your own materials.

If you just want someone to make a one-off for you, they would probably also be a good resource for locating such a service. But as Gary points out, photopolymer is not cheap.

Joshua

We provide photopolymer plate processing but a full 11 x 17 inches of image would cost you around $120 (55 cents a sq inch plus service charge, taxes, shipping) for a .037 plate (shallow). Deeper reliefs cost a bit more but they don't actually provide the fidelity of the shallower plates. Though the problem is mounting. You would need a base for this. Mounting on wood won't do. You'd be defeating the purpose of the technology. Patrick Reagh, up in your area, makes a affordable magnetic base. Photopolymer actually isn't more expensive than photoengravings or, for that matter,
Monotype composition. That is to say, once you are set up for it.

Thanks Gerald. I will invest in some base ... I may take a class at the PCBA on photopolymer, although it's not as easy to do that any more as I am now 100 miles away. In the meantime, I will continue to have Valley Graphics engrave magnesium plates for me - I'm not sure why metal is as inexpensive as it is, or maybe their profit margin is just quite low; an 11x17 engraving, done in 24 hours and mounted type high (and their stuff is always perfectly level) is about $130 including tax, which is a great deal. Thanks everyone for your help!

If your plate doesn't have small, small type (6 point or less) you could also try Owosso Graphics. They've been competitive in their pricing in the past, and do good work.

be sure to check out boxcarpress.com. fast, reliable 2-day turnaround for all polymer plates. ship next day to anywhere in the us,
every plate is perfect, and they (we) also have gridded bases in multiple sizes for sale,