While quick to produce, the prints were less sharp and durable than those created with modern technology.Īlso, the process required ammonia, proper ventilation, and technical blueprint paper that required special storage. The result was the impression of a line drawing and a void in the rest of the area.ĭespite its efficiency for its time, the diazo process had its limitations.

The final step of exposing the sheet to ammonia would complete the development of the image. This light exposure would indicate where the master drawing blocked the light, indicating lines on the sheet. The diazo process starts with laying a sheet of light-sensitive blueline paper over a master copy and exposing it to ultraviolet light. The name 'diazo' is derived from diazonium salts, the crucial element in the chemical reaction that allows images to transfer onto paper or other media. This term harks back to the days of diazo process printing-a method dating back to the 1850s known for its characteristic smell of ammonia, ultraviolet light, and the creation of a negative image. In the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries, the term 'blueprint printer' carries a nostalgic connotation. The Evolution of Blueprint Printers: From Diazo to Modern Inkjet Plotters

Blueprint paper 24 x 36 blue line