Photographic printing system and method for application of multiple masks in coloring refractory metals

Abstract

A photographic printing system for anodizing coloring refractory metals using computer graphic imaging is provided. The system comprises a plurality of film masks and a metal plate. Registration marks are formed in each of the film masks and the metal plate for aligning the film masks and the metal plate for controlling the color application in multicolored line art images. A method for anodizing coloring refractory metals using computer graphic imaging is also provided.

1 . A photographic printing system for anodizing coloring refractory metals using computer graphic imaging, the system comprising: 
 a plurality of film masks;    a metal plate; and    registration means formed in each of the film masks and the metal plate for aligning the film masks and the metal plate for controlling the color application in multicolored line art images.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the registration means are a plate aperture formed in the metal plate and film apertures formed in each of the film masks.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the metal plate and the film masks are rectilinear, an aperture being formed in each of the four corners.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2  and further comprising: 
 a jig receiving the metal plate, the metal plate having a plate aperture in each of the four corners corresponding to film apertures on the film masks;    wherein the centerlines of the plate apertures are used to align the film apertures such that the application of each film layer to the metal plate is aligned in a desired configuration.    
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the photographic printing system can be used for both line art and the indexed color separation process.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the anodization techniques are selected from the group consisting of posterizing and mezzotinting.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein upon completion of the anodization, borders on the metal plate are removed thereby removing the registration means.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein for images larger than a single sheet, the image is separated into separate panels and tiled to a desired size.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the registration means are pins formed in each of the corners of the metal plate.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein each film mask is aligned individually one at a time to construct the necessary number of color layers.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the registration means includes printing the outline of the border of the plate to be colored on each film mask positive.  
   
   
       12 . A method for anodizing coloring refractory metals using computer graphic imaging, the method comprising: 
 providing a metal plate;    applying a plurality of film masks to the metal plate; and    aligning the film masks and the metal plate for controlling the color application in multicolored line art images.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  and further comprising: 
 forming a plate aperture in the metal plate;    forming film apertures in each of the film masks; and    aligning the film apertures with the plate aperture.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the metal plate and the film masks are rectilinear, and further comprising: 
 forming an aperture in each of the four corners.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12  and further comprising: 
 using both line art and the indexed color separation process.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12  and further comprising: 
 selecting the anodization techniques from the group consisting of posterizing and mezzotinting.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12  and further comprising: 
 upon completion of the anodization, removing borders on the film masks thereby removing the registration means.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12  and further comprising: 
 separating the image is separated into separate panels and tiled to a desired size.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12  and further comprising: 
 forming pins in each of the corners of the metal plate.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12  and further comprising: 
 aligning each film mask individually one at a time to construct the necessary number of color layers.