Hi Jez,

Actually, if he could get the ink/pattern transfered to the Cu-clad board it would act as an etchant resistant agent. The photographic process you describe may be easier or more forgiving, and it is certainly the more common approach. Still, the technique of using printouts as direct transfers has been done successfully. There even used to be a type of heated laminating press that was sold specifically for the purpose of transfering the image.