From: Stephen Kaplin <skactw-AT-tiac.net>
Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2007 19:35:32 -0400
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Creating shadow puppets using polycarbonate


You can also cut thinner grades of Polycarbonate (which includes up to 
.03 ml.) by deeply scoring the  outer edge and then carefully bending a 
few times. The plastic will snap smoothly right along your score mark. 
The only tools required are a matt knife with a sharp new blade and a 
pair of needle nose  pliers to help twist out  deep  inside corners and 
tight turns.
Krylon spray paints adhere nicely to polycarb's surface. You can create 
designs by stencelling and cutting (lightly with an x-acto knife) 
through the thin layer of protective plastic that's on both sides of 
the sheet when you buy it . Make sure you only stencil on the side 
where the protective film adheres fully (as opposed to the side where 
the protective film just pulls right off)  Pull away the areas you want 
black, leaving the protective coating sticking to the parts you want 
clear. You can do several layers of spraying pulling off new areas each 
time, starting from the darkest and densest and progressing through to 
the lightest speckling. You can spray through lacy fabric or scrim for 
great textural effects.
Krylon also makes transparent spray paints for glass that make glorious 
color .

And, alas, despite popular myth lexan shadow figures do not last 
forever. Any surface scratches and abrasions are permanent and can show 
up as dark lines and grey patches. Plus too much torque focussed on too 
small an area can cause the plastic to rip at that point. Still, it's 
the best, most versatile shadow puppet building material that I know 
of.

Stephen
> Lexan, which is a polycarbonate material, is excellent for making
> shadow puppets. It looks like acrylic, but isn't brittle, and in the
> right thickness, can be cut with scissors. I can't remember the
> thickness I buy ( .03 ml maybe?) -it's similar to the that of a
> credit card. I use heavy-duty scissors to cut it, the kind that can
> cut through a penny, or are used for cutting chicken bones.
>
> Use the Lexan in combination with black contact paper (vinyl really)
> made by Rubbermaid. You can cover the Lexan, draw your designs in
> white pencil and then cut away the parts you want clear, such as eyes
> and decorations. Although the contact paper is sold everywhere, the
> black is a little harder to find. If nothing else, it can be ordered
> in 50 yard lengths from Rubbermaid.
>
> It's more expensive than cardboard or heavy paper, but your puppets
> will last forever, so if you are creating a show that will perform
> many times, it's worth it.
>
> If you email me off-line with your address, I would be happy to send
> you a sample of the Lexan I use. Then you can see the thickness and
> test it out a bit.
>
> -Elizabeth
>
>
> On Sep 15, 2007, at 9:00 AM, puptcrit-request-AT-puptcrit.org wrote:
>
>> Message: 3
>> Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2007 10:25:13 EDT
>> From: Springgoddess-AT-aol.com
>> Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Creating shadow puppets using polycarbonate
>> To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
>> Message-ID: <bf9.212fb57a.341d4549-AT-aol.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
>>
>> Greetings all,
>>
>> Okay, once again I am on a puppet journey.  I am trying to create
>> shadow
>> puppets and have researched on the internet for the best materials
>> to use  for
>> creation.  I've tried black card stock and office folders, but
>> find  both too
>> floppy in the end.  I need a material that doesn't require a
>> commercial piece
>> of machinery to cut.  Does anyone have any  suggestions?  Thanks to
>> all.
>>
>> Michele
>
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