ISO 14548:2021

Photography - Dimensions of glass plates

This document specifies the nominal sizes of photographic glass plates, together with cutting dimensions and their tolerances. It also specifies the nominal substrate thicknesses and their tolerances, as well as providing a cross-reference for sheet films being used in newly manufactured holders for 19th century glass plate cameras.

Photographie — Dimensions des plaques de verre

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 11-Oct-2021
• ICS: 37.040.20 - Photographic paper, films and plates. Cartridges
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 42 - Photography
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 42/WG 8 - Joint ISO/TC 42 - ISO/TC 6 WG: Imaging materials - Dimensions
• Parallel Committee: ISO/TC 6 - Paper, board and pulps
• Current Stage: 6060 - International Standard published
• Start Date: 12-Oct-2021
• Due Date: 02-Aug-2022
• Completion Date: 12-Oct-2021

Relations

• Consolidated By: ISO 5832-2:2025 - Implants for surgery - Metallic materials - Part 2: Unalloyed titanium
• Effective Date: 23-Dec-2023
• Revises: ISO 14548:1998 - Photography - Dimensions of glass plates
• Effective Date: 23-Apr-2020

Overview

ISO 14548:2021 is an international standard established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that specifies the nominal sizes, cutting dimensions, and tolerances for photographic glass plates. This second edition, released in 2021, updates the original 1998 edition to reflect modern practices and includes provisions for substrate thickness, squareness, and package markings. Importantly, it also provides cross-references for sheet films used in holders compatible with 19th-century glass plate cameras. This standard aligns the dimensions of photographic glass plates with the practical requirements of both historical and contemporary photography applications.

Key Topics

• Nominal Sizes and Cutting Dimensions
  ISO 14548:2021 defines standard nominal sizes of glass plates with exact cutting dimensions and tolerances ensuring uniformity in production. This includes detailed tables with minimum, aim, and maximum dimensions for each plate size.

• Substrate Thickness and Tolerances
  The standard specifies nominal substrate thicknesses (ranging from 1.0 mm to 5.0 mm) and their tolerance limits, essential for ensuring durability and compatibility with photographic equipment.

• Measurement Conditions
  Dimensions must be measured under controlled conditions of 23 ± 2 °C temperature and 50 ± 5% relative humidity, with calibrated instruments at 20 °C to ensure accuracy and repeatability.

• Squareness and Shape Compliance
  Plates must be checked for squareness and edge straightness by comparing each plate to rectangles defined by minimum and maximum tolerance dimensions to maintain geometric precision.

• Package Marking Requirements
  Packaging must include clear markings such as product name, size, quantity, manufacturer details, expiration dates, safelight conditions, and storage instructions to guide correct use and handling.

• Annex on Non-Standard Plate Sizes
  The informative annex addresses challenges posed by renewed interest in antique photographic processes, highlighting requirements for sizing new holders and plates compatible with vintage cameras. It recommends following dimensional and tolerance rules from ISO 1012:1998 for new plate sizes to ensure compatibility with both antique and newly manufactured holders.

Applications

ISO 14548:2021 is vital for manufacturers, photographers, and suppliers engaged with:

• Antique and Historical Photography
  Ensures that newly produced glass plates and holders for 19th-century camera systems maintain compatibility with legacy equipment.

• Fine Arts and Amateur Wet/Dry Plate Photography
  Supports the resurgence of alternative photographic processes by standardizing dimensions for glass plates and sheet films used in these techniques.

• Commercial and Consumer Photography Markets
  Provides manufacturers with clear specifications for producing glass plates compatible with contemporary plate holders and processing equipment.

• Astronomical Observatories and Scientific Imaging
  Facilitates the production of glass plates for optical, holography, and X-ray imaging methods that rely on precise substrate thicknesses and dimensions.

• Quality Control and Manufacturing Consistency
  Enables the photographic glass plate industry to maintain strict tolerances and dimensional control, ensuring product reliability and interoperability.

Related Standards

• ISO 1012:1998 - Photography - Films in sheets and rolls for general use
  Provides complementary standards for sheet film dimensions, which are cross-referenced in ISO 14548:2021, especially for non-standard plate sizes and holders.

• ISO 1 - Geometrical Product Specifications (GPS): Standard Reference Temperature
  Governs the calibration temperature for measuring instruments used in dimensional checks mandated by ISO 14548.

• ISO 554 - Standard Atmospheres for Conditioning and/or Testing
  Defines atmospheric conditions for accurate measurement of photographic materials as used in this standard.

Summary

ISO 14548:2021 serves as the authoritative guideline for the dimensional specifications of photographic glass plates, facilitating compatibility between historical camera equipment and modern manufacturing. By standardizing sizes, thicknesses, and tolerance parameters, it ensures quality and consistency within photographic glass plate production and supports the growing interest in vintage photographic methods. Proper adherence to this standard enhances product interoperability, safe use, and preservation of photographic heritage.

Keywords: ISO 14548:2021, photographic glass plates, glass plate dimensions, substrate thickness, glass plate tolerances, antique photography, wet plate photography, dry plate photography, photographic standards, glass plate holders, ISO 1012, photography equipment compatibility, package marking, measurement conditions, glass plate manufacturing.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 14548
Second edition
2021-10
Photography — Dimensions of glass
plates
Photographie — Dimensions des plaques de verre
Reference number
© ISO 2021
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Conditions for measurement of dimensions . 1
4.1 Dimensions . 1
4.2 Calibration of measuring instruments . 1
5 Dimensions .1
5.1 Cutting dimensions . 1
5.2 Substrate thickness . 1
6 Squareness . 2
7 Package marking . 2
Annex A (informative) Non-standard plate sizes . 4
Bibliography . 6
iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to
the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 42, Photography.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 14548:1998), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— Clause 2 has been updated;
— Clause 3 has been added as it is now a mandatory element;
— Annex A has been added to address new, non-standard plate sizes, which do not align with the sizes
of the dry plate and wet plate area.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
Introduction
The purpose of this document is the inclusion of an annex to cover the dimensions of sheet films, which
are being used in newly manufactured holders for antique glass plate cameras.
v
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 14548:2021(E)
Photography — Dimensions of glass plates
1 Scope
This document specifies the nominal sizes of photographic glass plates, together with cutting dimensions
and their tolerances. It also specifies the nominal substrate thicknesses and their tolerances, as well as
th
providing a cross-reference for sheet films being used in newly manufactured holders for 19 century
glass plate cameras.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 1, Geometrical product specifications (GPS) — Standard reference temperature for the specification of
geometrical and dimensional properties
ISO 554, Standard atmospheres for conditioning and/or testing — Specifications
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
4 Conditions for measurement of dimensions
4.1 Dimensions
The dimensions and tolerances specified in this document shall apply at the time of manufacture (except
where specifically stated otherwise), when measured under atmospheric conditions of (23
...