Source for 16X20 3 mil sheets mylar/polyester

[sanking]

Does anyone know of a source for 3 mil sheets of clear mylar/polyester in 16X20" size? Light Impressions carries this item but they are out of stock and I need it now, last week in fact.

Sandy King

[Leigh]

McMaster-Carr at www.mcmaster.com has clear polyester in 0.003" thickness,
40" wide x 10' long under catalog number 8567K32 for $15.53 or
40" wide x 25' long under catalog number 8567K34 for $31.06.

- Leigh

[sanking]

McMaster-Carr at www.mcmaster.com has clear polyester in 0.003" thickness,
40" wide x 10' long under catalog number 8567K32 for $15.53 or
40" wide x 25' long under catalog number 8567K34 for $31.06.

- Leigh

Hi Leigh,

Thanks for the information. That will work.

Sandy

[Drew Wiley]

Any serious art store should have it. It is generally sold in big sheets in drawers labeled as drafting vellum, if not more accurately labeled. Make sure it really is
polyester and not acetate. It can be obtained frosted either one side or both sides.
It kinks easily, so make sure the sheets are very carefully rolled then placed in a
hard tube if necessary. Buy more sheets than you think you'll need. Then trim the sheets down to size and carefully inspect them over a large light box for blemishes. I grade and segregate the sheets according to application, with perfect pieces being reserved for images containing open skies, or other lack of texture, or other critical applications. There is generally a slight grain to the pieces, like that in wood, running a specific direction. Sometimes it is useful to take note of this too. Be careful when cleaning these sheets and don't use too hard a blast of air, or they will crease and have an irreverisble dent mark.

[erie patsellis]

Sandy, any offset printing supplier will have it though typically 5 mil is more frequently used.
Here's one example:
http://www.valleylitho.com/acatalog/Valley_Litho_Supply_Clear_Polyester_281.html

[Drew Wiley]

5-mil is certainly easier to handle. Sandy- are you using this for light diffusion or emulsion transfer, or both?