Curved Plate Etching of Magnesium Press Plates.

Curved press plates have been predominantly duplicate plates, but many printers and engravers have recognized for some years that the use of original engravings on the press for dry offset and especially for direct printing offers many important advantages. Because magnesium offers an excellent combination of properties for such plates, The Dow Chemical Company has aimed a major research program at making available the etching chemistry, the equipment, and all of the forms of magnesium needed to produce the various kinds of high quality press plates. This is a report on the significant progress being made in this program.