Sheets of film material made of various types of plastic and used for drafting, in use since the 1940s, but emerging as preferred supports from the 1980s through the 2000s. Drafting films will have a matte finish on one or both sides, which gives the surface teeth to accept media or emulsion. Like other translucent supports, drafting film may be used alternately for original drawings or as a reproductive intermediate. Reproductions are typically run through a diazo machine. Stability will largely depend on composition. Acetate was used for drafting film primarily from 1939, with a decrease in usage in the 1960s. Polyester or Mylar (TM) was used from around 1950, becoming very popular after 1970.
