Masking varnish

Masking varnish is an opaque brown or red color that is used for subsequent processing ( retouching ) of negatives or positives in the photo laboratory . The cover varnish can be waterproof or water-soluble. Water-soluble cover varnish usually consists of red chalk , which is mixed thickly with water. Waterproof red lacquer consists of solvent-based paint that dries up quickly.

Photographic layers that are not sensitive to red light are coated with this masking lacquer if you want to prevent exposure of parts of an image or film ( masking ). After the film or image has been processed, the lacquer can be peeled off without leaving any residue ( peelable lacquer , film etching lacquer) and the previously protected area of ​​the film or image can be exposed again and processed.

Masking varnish is also a synonym for etching ground in etching .

See also

• Farmer's attenuator
• Coloration
• Tone
• Cutting masking film

Web links

• Recipes of different cover varnishes for etching techniques