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PHOTO METAL—OVERVIEW

Photo metal is a specially designed metal (usually aluminum) which contains a subsurface coating of a silver halide photo emulsion. The emulsion is sensitive to UV light so that when it is exposed, utilizing a high resolution film negative to define the image area, the exposed silver dioxide articles undergo a chemical reaction. The processing of exposed photo metal plate then involves utilizing a chemical (photographic) developer, followed by a "fixer" application, and finally a "sealing" operation which closed the pores. The resulting black mark contrasts with the aluminum background.