- 1
Save the glass insert; it can be used as a business card template.
Prepare the machine by inserting the 2 AA batteries into the housing on the inside of the lid, removing the piece of card stock from the inside of the glass and peeling away the protective film from the gray, gridded print table. This exposes a sticky surface which helps keep your paper in place for printing, but for now, cover it with a piece of card stock. - 2
Make sure everything is dry before moving on.
Create your art for reproductions. The master reacts to carbon in the ink to burn through the coating to let ink pass. You can find carbon ink in some specialty stores, carbon pencils, the pen that came with your kit or in the toner from most photocopiers and laser printers. For the best results, paste-up your clip art or draw your designs (or any combination thereof) and make a photocopy of it for use in the next step. - 3
Place the prepared artwork onto the card stock on the print table. Insert the blue filter and a HiMesh Master through the grooves on the inside of the machine's lid until they are as far down as possible. There should be a little give in the bottom of the slot that allows you to tuck the top of the filter and master into the top edge of the lid. - 4
Load the light bulbs into the lamp housing by lining up the little nubs on each side of the bulb with the slots inside the lamp housing. Press gently and rotate the bulbs clockwise to secure them. Lining up the arrows on the lamp housing and lid, gently press the housing into place. - 5
The flash will be very bright!
Press down firmly with both hands on either side of the machine's lid until the bulbs flash. Hold in place 2 to 3 seconds longer or until the bulbs stop crackling; then remove the lamp housing and set it aside, face up, to cool. - 6
The art is attached to the Master when you lift the lid.
Lift the lid of the machine and carefully remove the blue filter and the master. The original artwork should be stuck to the blue side of the master. Set the filter aside and peel back the clear cover from the master and tuck the free end out of the way for inking. - 7
Don't skimp or you'll have blotchy prints.
Apply ink directly from the tube onto the master, using the original art as a guide. Ink blocking foam can be placed between sections to allow you to load multiple colors in one go. Once inked, lay the clear plastic cover back over the ink and reload the master into the PG-5. - 8
Remove the place-holding piece of card stock from the print table and position your paper to print on. Lower the lid and apply gentle pressure to push the ink through the screen and onto the paper. Replace the paper and repeat until you have made the copies you want. - 9). Store the masters in a cool, dry place between printings after cleaning the remaining ink from the film.
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