Custom Flexible Film Target
GB £0.00
CUSTOM MADE Film Photo Tool
FOR PRICE, PLEASE REQUEST QUOTE
Availability:
In stock
SKU
CMFXX-1-1
All standard resolution photoplotted films are imaged and processed using a fully automated system operating continuously. This minimizes manual handling, improves quality, and supports high-volume production.
BASE MATERIAL
All films are produced using Agfa Idealine HPF (High Resolution Plotter Film), a 0.18 mm polyester film with a single-sided photographic emulsion. Designed for precision imaging, films are processed in controlled environments to ensure dimensional stability. For best results, store and handle films at 21 °C and 50% relative humidity.
COATING OPTIONS
Anti-Glare Coating: A semi-permanent, non-gloss finish that reduces reflections and offers surface protection. It is water-washable and removable with acetone. May distort line edges when viewed under high magnification. Refer to the SPECIFICATIONS tab for further details.
White Opaque Coating: A polymer coating applied via inkjet to either side of the glass to enhance contrast. Other colours may be available. Contact us for detailed guidance. See the SPECIFICATIONS tab for more information.
White Translucent Coating: A single-layer polymer coating applied via inkjet, producing a translucent effect when backlit. Transmission levels vary depending on the number of coats. Contact us for further guidance. See the SPECIFICATIONS tab for details.
PRINTING OPTIONS
UV-cured inks can be added to the glass for various purposes, including:
QR Codes or Similar: Static codes for component types or dynamic serialised codes. Any format can be used, such as Type 1, Type 2, or Micro QR.
Serial Numbers: Fully customisable in font size and type, applied directly to the glass.
Logos: Company names or logos can be printed to support identification or branding.
RESOLUTIONS
Flexible emulsion polyester films can be imaged at six different resolution levels. These are classified either by imaging DPI (dots per inch) or by resolution grade. Higher resolutions yield improved feature sharpness, reduced corner rounding, and better dimensional stability. Refer to the SPECIFICATIONS section for full resolution-dependent tolerances and accuracy.
4k dpi: LOW Resolution. Suitable for general-purpose applications such as screen printing, tab printing, or photoetching. Although it can image smaller features, those below 0.2 mm may show significant corner rounding. Designs with arcs or off-grid lines may appear pixelated. Features below 0.1 mm are only supported on a best-effort basis with prior approval.
10k dpi: Offers improved line quality with reduced pixelation. Supports features down to 0.1 mm, though corner rounding may still be visible under magnification. Features below 0.08 mm require prior agreement and are produced on a best-effort basis.
Grade 1: Capable of imaging features above 50 µm. Corner rounding is significant and edge sharpness is limited. Designs with arcs, circles, or non-orthogonal lines may exhibit visible pixelation. Features below 40 µm are not supported unless pre-approved on a best-effort basis.
Grade 2: Suitable for features down to 25 µm with reduced pixelation and improved edge fidelity. Corner rounding remains visible under magnification. Features smaller than 25 µm require pre-approval and are handled on a best-effort basis.
Grade 3: Balances cost and precision. Resolves features down to 12 µm with good edge definition and minimal pixelation. Slight distortion may still occur in small curved or angular features.
Grade 4: PREMIER Resolution. Designed for high-precision imaging with clean, sharp features. Resolves down to 5 µm (depending on geometry). Corner rounding is minimal and typically only visible under high magnification. Designs below 10 µm must avoid mixing positive and negative polarities where dimensional accuracy is critical.
CAD FORMAT
The listed formats are only a subset of supported types. Print-based formats like CorelDraw, PDF, PostScript, SVG, BMP, and TIFF lack sub-micron accuracy and are not suitable for Class 3 or Class 4. For high-resolution work, use engineering-grade vector formats such as Gerber, GDSII, DXF, or CIF. Contact us if your format is not listed. A full drafting service is also available upon request.
PRODUCTION SCHEDULE
Standard lead time is 1 week from receipt of artwork, order, and documentation for simple targets that do not need specialist processing. A checkplot is issued for approval; prompt response is essential. Lead time assumes no data revisions. For large or high-resolution orders, confirm availability of premium services in advance.
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POLARITY Films are available as Clearfield (positive) or Darkfield (negative). In positive polarity, CAD features appear as emulsion on a clear polyester background. In negative polarity, the features are clear, and the background is emulsion. Include a reference text in your design to indicate film orientation, and specify if it should appear right-reading or wrong-reading as viewed on screen. |
INSPECTION
All photomasks are subject to a rigorous inspection process, regardless of the selected inspection class. Critical parameters such as CD (Critical Dimension) size and uniformity are measured and recorded internally. High-magnification images are captured using Nikon MM40 (900×) and OGP ZIP 300 (400×) systems, and stored with our production records. In some industries—particularly medical or automotive—additional inspection documentation may be required for compliance with quality systems.
You can select the level of documentation to be provided with your order.
Standard: Full inspection performed; no documentation issued.
Certificate of Conformance: Printed certificate confirming compliance with inspection criteria.
Certificate of Measurement: Verifies up to 10 user-defined dimensions against specified tolerances. A CAD file or drawing must be provided indicating the positions to be measured. Additional measurements available on request.
CHECKPLOT
Before production, we supply a checkplot—an essential part of our approval workflow. This checkplot is a high resolution PDF graphic, emailed to you for review. It provides an overview of the design layout, helping you confirm pattern alignment, feature placement, and polarity. However, it is a rasterised image and not suitable for verifying precise dimensions.
For critical designs where dimensional accuracy must be confirmed at the CAD level, we recommend using our online CAD checkplot viewer. This platform allows you to inspect your design using vector data, ensuring that features such as linewidth and spacing match your expectations. You can zoom in to inspect fine details, toggle layers, and therefore compare your submitted file against our interpreted version.
Checkplot approval is mandatory before manufacturing begins. No production will start until confirmation is received. Ensure that your review includes polarity, reading direction, and any reference markers required by your process.
For more details, see our Checkplot Information Page.
YOUR DRAWING NUMBER
Include the CAD filename or drawing number with your order to ensure correct data matching.
NOTES
Use this section to specify any special instructions or order-specific requirements.
See the TECHNICAL, DOWNLOAD, and FAQ sections for further information. For assistance, contact us by email or LIVE SUPPORT.
| Specification | BASE MATERIAL
COATING
RESOLUTIONS |
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| FAQ | FAQ's
Q: What does the term NEGATIVE and POSITIVE mean ? A: Polarity is the tone of the pattern. When you draw your design, polarity determines whether the features on the film are CLEAR or BLACK on the final film. So, a NEGATIVE film would have the items you have drawn in CAD as CLEAR on the film. Obviously this is the opposite for POSITIVE, where the items you drawin CAD are BLACK on the film.
Q: I've designed my pattern with the wrong polarity - what do i do ? A: We can use the original design file and simply reverse the tone of the film. This is much easier than supplying new data.
Q: How accurate are the features? What tolerances do you work to? A: Accuracy is determined by the imaging resolution. Click here to refer to the Technical/Resolutions/Photoplotting menu on our website for a chart detailing both feature and dimensional tolerances.
Q: What resolution should I choose? A: Higher resolutions yield sharper feature edges, finer minimum features, improved accuracy, cleaner corners, and smoother curves. The importance of these factors varies by application. If uncertain, select a higher resolution to meet critical requirements. We can advise further if you send us your design.
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Material Specifications
General
BASE MATERIAL
COATING
RESOLUTIONS
FAQ's
Q: What does the term NEGATIVE and POSITIVE mean ?
A: Polarity is the tone of the pattern. When you draw your design, polarity determines whether the features on the film are CLEAR or BLACK on the final film. So, a NEGATIVE film would have the items you have drawn in CAD as CLEAR on the film. Obviously this is the opposite for POSITIVE, where the items you drawin CAD are BLACK on the film.
Q: I've designed my pattern with the wrong polarity - what do i do ?
A: We can use the original design file and simply reverse the tone of the film. This is much easier than supplying new data.
Q: How accurate are the features? What tolerances do you work to?
A: Accuracy is determined by the imaging resolution. Click here to refer to the Technical/Resolutions/Photoplotting menu on our website for a chart detailing both feature and dimensional tolerances.
Q: What resolution should I choose?
A: Higher resolutions yield sharper feature edges, finer minimum features, improved accuracy, cleaner corners, and smoother curves. The importance of these factors varies by application. If uncertain, select a higher resolution to meet critical requirements. We can advise further if you send us your design.