Liquid Mounting

On Your
Flatbed Scanner
Featuring the Epson Perfection 3200

R. Mac Holbert
Nash Editions
Manhattan Beach, CA
nasheditions.com
 Liquid Mounting

Why liquid
mount?

Although the surface of a piece of film appears to the eye to be completely smooth, when that same film
is scanned and it’s virtual size increased, the surface very quickly degrades. What once looked like the
smooth surface of a frozen lake now appears more like the surface of the moon. Liquid mounting fills in
all those cracks and crannies and makes the surface appear smooth to the scanner. In addition, liquid
mounting also helps hide a multitude of scratches and surface defects.

Using the scanner with the included holder will yield decent results when scanning images up to 750% of
original size. When scanning at higher percentages the surface noise (those cracks and crannies) begins
to quickly compromise image quality.

The Epson Perfection 3200 is a fixed focus scanner. It expects to see the emulsion at exactly 1 mm from
the surface of the glass. This does yield a very slightly less focused image when liquid mounting but the
reduction of surface noise at larger scan sizes more than compensates for this minor loss.

Using this method I have been able to create beautiful prints from 35-mm originals up to 18” x 24” and
from 6X6 originals up to 40” X 40”. The dynamic range of the 3200 does not approach that of higher
priced scanners but for $400-600 it is capable of creating high quality scans above and beyond anything in
its price range.
 Liquid Mounting

Although this tutorial features the Epson Perfection 3200 scanner the procedure outlined here may be
appropriate for other flatbed scanners. I use this technique daily with my Scitex everSmart Supreme, the
only addition being the use of three 1” rubber “O” rings that I place in triangle shape outside and around
the area covered by the Mylar. This serves to keep the glass of the Scitex’s transparency top from coming
in contact with the scanner surface and potentially picking up any excess scanning fluid.

Before trying this technique on your flatbed I suggest you test the scanner’s plastic components to see
how the mounting fluid reacts with it. Find an inconspicuous spot and apply a little scanning fluid. If it does
not appear to soften or discolor the area you’re probably good to go. Always be conservative with
scanning fluid - a little goes a long way.

This tutorial only covers liquid scanning a 35-mm film strip. The techniques outline here may also be used
with unframed 35 slide film, 6X6, 6X7, 6X17 and other popular formats. If you’re scanning very old film
it’s always a good idea to test a small piece of the film to see how it reacts both to the PEC-12 and the
KAMI Scanner Mounting Fluid (SMF). In 12 years of daily use of emulsion cleaner and mounting fluid I
have encountered two instances where the film was affected by one or the other. Luckily I had tested
them prior to aggressive application. I have not encountered a film or paper emulsion manufactured in the
past 40 years that have had an adverse reaction to either the KAMI or the PEC-12. But if you have any
concerns, always pre-test.
 Materials
Notes:
#3 Dust is your enemy! Thorough
cleaning of your original and
#2 keeping it clean and dust free
during the scanning process is
extremely important It can
reduce or eliminate hours of
#4 imaging time.

If possible, I recommend the use

#3 of a HEPA air filter at your
scanning location.
#1
The gloves (#1) I recommend are
#7 anti-static, however, white cotton
#6 are a good choice.

The “L” masks (#6) are cut with

an Exacto knife from outdated 4”
X 5” sheet film. It is crucial that
you create an exact right angle
and keep the “legs” of the “L” as
#9
#5 straight as possible.

#8

#1. Cloth Photo Gloves (Available at your local photography store)

#2. Canned air (Available at your local photography or electronics store)
#3. KAMI Scanner Mounting Fluid - SMF 2001 & dispenser (Available at http://www.aztek.com)
#4. PEC-12 Film Cleaner (Available at http://www.photosol.com/pec-12product.htm
#5. Scanning Mylar - Anti-Static Layout Base with interleaving (Available at http://www.prazio.com)
#6. 2 “L” Masks
#7. PEC*Pads (Available at http://www.photosol.com/pecpadproduct.htm)
#8. 3M Scotch-Brite Electronics Cleaning Cloth (Available at http://www.officedepot.com/)
#9. 4” Anti-static Brush (Available at http://www.bhphotovideo.com/product/26193/KIB4/REG/3310)
 Liquid Mounting

Step #1

Size Your Mylar

Normally the scanning Mylar is approximately Letter size and needs to be cut down for use on the
3200. The Mylar comes interleaved so sandwich the Mylar between 2 sheets of the tissue during the
cutting process. This, in conjunction with use of gloves, will insure that the Mylar remains clean.
 Liquid Mounting

Step #2

Check Level
and
Clean Your Scanner

It’s important that your scanner is completely level prior to attempting to liquid mount. An out of level
surface will cause the liquid used to run and make it extremely difficult to complete the process.

Make sure the glass surface of your scanner is clean and dust free. Use the 3M cleaning cloth to polish
the surface and then brush the entire surface with the anti-static brush. Make sure that the inside of the
cover is also dust free. If necessary, use the canned air first, followed up with generous use of the anti-
static brush. Once the scanner is clean close the lid to protect it from contamination while you prepare
your film.
 Liquid Mounting

Step #3

Clean Your Original

Fold a PEC pad (#7) into a strip about 1” wide. Give it a couple of good squirts of PEC-12 (#4). Place the saturated pad
on the film strip to one side of the frame to be cleaned. Place your first finger LIGHTLY on top of the pad and LIGHTLY
move the pad over the frame in question (You need just enough pressure to insure even contact between the pad and
the film.) Then pick up the strip and catch the surface reflection and you can see the PEC-12 evaporate off the film
surface. Once it’s free of PEC-12 repeat the process on the other side of the film. Be sure you do this on a safe surface. I
place a sheet of Mylar down and on top of that I lay down several sheets of the interleaving tissue that comes with the
Mylar. Although PEC-12 is perfectly safe with prints and films it will damage some plastics and painted surfaces - so be
aware! Now cover up your cleaned film with a sheet of interleaving and prepare the scanner.
 Liquid Mounting

Step #4

Apply KAMI to
scanner surface.

Keep top 3/4” of glass

clear as indicated.

Keep top 3/4” clear

of film & liquid. This
area is used for
calibration! Make sure
it is CLEAN and free
of artifacts.

Raise the lid to the up position. Inspect the glass for dust or smudges. If the glass is clean “pool” a one
inch circle of KAMI SMF (#3) on the glass. Be aware of positioning! Your scanning area in transparency
mode is approximately 6” X 9”.You want your entire film strip to be positioned in that area so your
scanning fluid must be placed in an area corresponding to the frame in question.
 Liquid Mounting

Step #5

“Dust” Your Original

Retrieve your film strip and give it quick “dusting” with the canned air (#2). Remember to hold the
canned air fairly level when using. Failure to do so can result in liquid air being expelled which could
cause frostbite to you or possible damage to your original.
 Liquid Mounting

Step #6

“Float” the film in the

mounting fluid

Holding the film on each end, lower the appropriate frame onto the center of the mounting fluid
“pool”. The emulsion side of the file should be facing up. Release the film and then rotate the film to
visually align the edges of the film with the sides of the glass. The sides of the film strip and the sides of
the glass need to be parallel!
 Liquid Mounting

Step #7

Cover the top surface

with mounting fluid

Now put fluid on the top surface of the frame in question with enough fluid to completely cover the
frame. A little goes a long way!
 Liquid Mounting

Step #8

“Dust” the Mylar

Retrieve a half sheet of Mylar and give it quick “dusting” on both sides with the canned air (#2).
Remember to hold the canned air fairly level when using. Failure to do so can result in liquid air being
expelled which could cause frostbite to you or possible damage to your original. Also remember to do
the “dusting” away from the scanner. Dust is your enemy!
 Liquid Mounting

Step #9

Sandwich the film with

the Mylar

Center the Mylar over the film strip and lower it gently onto the “pool” of mounting fluid.
 Liquid Mounting

Step #10

“Polish” out excess

fluid and bubbles

Fold a PEC pad into quarters and, with one hand holding the Mylar in place, with gentle pressure move
the excess fluid and bubbles to the top or the bottom edge of the Mylar. Concentrate mainly on the
area around the frame in question. If excess liquid exits the sides or the top or bottom of the Mylar
use a separate PEC pad to soak it up to prevent it from fouling your scanner.
 Liquid Mounting

Step #11

Check that frame is

clear of bubbles

You want to insure that there are no bubbles and that the film and Mylar are firmly adhered to the
scanner glass. Bubble in other frames are acceptable as long as they seem to stay in place and not slowly
migrate back to the frame your scanning.
 Liquid Mounting

Step #12

Place first “L” mask

The purpose of this next step is to eliminate halation around the sprocket holes and the clear band at
the top and bottom of the frame. Place one of the “L” brackets on top of the Mylar and align it to frame
the top and a side of the selected image.You want to “crop” out the sprocket holes on the side and the
clear band at the top as much as possible without intruding into the image.
 Liquid Mounting

Step #13

Place second “L” mask

Place the remaining “L” bracket on top of the Mylar and align it to frame the bottom and the remaining
side of the selected image. Again, you want to “crop” out the sprocket holes on the side and the clear
band at the bottom as much as possible without intruding into the image. Place the mask carefully as it
is quite easy to move the first mask out of position.
 Liquid Mounting

Step #14

Halation masking
complete

Final masking in place.

 Liquid Mounting

Step #15

Ready to scan!

Scan the image as normal making sure you select transparency and not reflective scanning. When the
scanning is complete check the image carefully in Photoshop before you remove the liquid mounted
image from the scanner. Once you are satisfied with your scan, carefully remove the masks and the
Mylar. If the film strip is difficult to remove from the glass surface, slip the edge of the Mylar under
either end of the film strip to separate it from the scanner top. Place the film strip on a sheet of
interleaving tissue and let the mounting fluid evaporate. Once dry, examine both surfaces of the film
strip. It should be clean and ready for storage. If you notice any residue simply clean the surface with
PEC-12 as outlined in Step #3.