Preservation ImagingRecords Management Division

MicrofilmMaster Negative Service CopyPrinting Master

Film Generations

Film Types Note

Master Negative Silver-gelatin film Should have a code stamped.

Printing Master Silver-gelatin film Both side is shinny, but one side is a bit dull.

Service Copy Diazo or vesicular film Very shiny on both sides.Can’t tear end.RMD uses Diazo film.

Service CopyMaster Negative

Microfilm

• Master Negativeo The film that is in the camera at the time of

filming. o It is duplicated once to make the printing

master, and thereafter kept in "archival" storage as a permanent security copy.

o It is also called “Camera negative”, “Silver master/negative”, “Original silver”, and “First-generation film.”

Printing Master

Service CopyMicrofilm

• Silver-gelatin filmo They will remain stable for 500 years IF

processed/stored according to ANSI.o Only Silver-gelatin films are appropriate for the

master and the printing master.

Printing MasterMaster Negative

Service CopyMicrofilm

• How can you tell if it is master?

Printing MasterMaster Negative

Ask Christy!

Why not Wayne?

How about Kim?

Service CopyMicrofilmPrinting Master

Master Negative

• Printing Mastero A duplicate made directly from the master

negativeo It should be kept in archival storage. It is used

to make all subsequent copies.o It is also called “Duplicate negative”, “Printing

negative”, “Silver copy/dupe”, and “Second-generation film.”

Service CopyMicrofilmPrinting Master

Master Negative

Cross Section of Silver-Gelatin Film

Source: Micrographic Film Technology, 4th ed.

Reduce scratching & staining

Capture the imageScratches easily

Service CopyMicrofilmPrinting Master

Master Negative

• How can you tell if it is Printing master?

Look at the film, silly!

MicrofilmService Copy

Master Negative Printing Master

• Service Copyo Positive or negative copies subsequently

available for research and lending.o It is also called “Use copy”, “Dupe”, and

“Diazo.”

MicrofilmService Copy

Master Negative Printing Master

• Diazo filmo It must be polyester based.o Generally appears blue or near-black.o It is vulnerable to fungal attack.o It may suffer significant damage upon exposure

to light for more than 3 hours in readers.

MicrofilmService Copy

Master Negative Printing Master

• Vesicular filmo It is polyester based.o Sign-reversing: if the master is negative-

appearing, the vesicular copy will be positive-appearing.

o It doesn’t develop redox.

MicrofilmService Copy

Master Negative Printing Master

• How can you tell if it is service copy?

Duh~ Read a label on the

box

Hands-on: Let’s Get Our Hands Dirty!