RE: Wrinkled Prints

[Eric Neilsen <ejnphoto@sbcglobal.net>]

Rita, When printing  with some very thin papers (Bein Fang 360 for example) and the plat/pall processes, I dry the paper with a hair dryer until it is still slightly damp and then place it under clean paper with weight on it. The full sheet needs to be coated so that the full sheet has the same dimensional stability. You may try and keep your local humidity up a bit too I fthe forced dry is your preferred drying method, but remove the heat earlier and again coat the full sheet and not just the printed area. Do you pre wash an dry the paper? That may help as you can apply a full heat press to the paper after the first wet soak and get some of the shrinkage out before it has the emulsion put down.

 

   

 

Eric Neilsen Photography

4101 Commerce Street

Suite 9

Dallas, TX 75226

http://e.neilsen.home.att.net

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From: Ritab19106@aol.com [mailto:Ritab19106@aol.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 11:05 AM
To: alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca
Subject: Wrinkled Prints

 

Hello,

 

I am applying silver emulsion (liquid light) to Japanese paper.  I have posted in the past about myriad problems and have appreciated all the helpful suggestions.

 

My latest problem is that the prints dry (after typical darkroom processing) with many wrinkles.  A few wrinkles are lovely, and contribute to the three dimensional look I am seeking, but when the piece of (otherwise beautiul) paper is completely crinkled, it is both unattractive and makes the image hard to read.

 

I have had this problem much more frequently lately, so I'm guessing it is related to the increased forced hot air heating (and low humidity) now that we're having a deep freeze on the East Coast.

 

Here's what I've tried so far:  after squeegee-ing the prints, I lay them on screens and surround the edges with little stones to keep the whole print from curling up.  After they dry a little bit, I put  pellon around the prints, and then weight them down with a few books.  They never completely dry in the pellon, but when they are only a little damp, I move them to blotters for the final drying.  The result is better than if I left the prints on the screens for the entire time, but still pretty lousy.

 

I do have a dry mount press, but I'm guessing the heat would destroy the emulsion, and when I use the press cold, all it does is flatten the creases, not restore the paper to a smoother state.

 

I do have a humidifier that operates with my home heating system, though I'm not sure it generates much moisture.  Would a free standing humidifier in the darkroom be a good idea?

 

I'd be grateful for any advice.

 

Rita B