U of S | Mailing List Archive | alt-photo-process-l | Re: paper cutting for pt/pd andother alt processes

Re: paper cutting for pt/pd andother alt processes



Hi Paul,

Yes, you're right. The 300 lb does feel a bit like mat board. I just love working with that. I don't like the way the 140 wrinkles up so badly after pre-shrinking and other subsequent water baths. If I'm going to use a thinner paper, I much prefer the Rives BFK. I like that paper a lot, too, and-- to my mind-- it just performs better in water, and when it dries, there's no wrinkling. I do get a softer image with the Rives, because of the paper fibers, I guess-- and the final prints seem to have a sort of slight linen texture look to them, which I actually like. (Has anybody else noticed that with Rives and gum prints?) But the 140 lb Fabriano I just can't stand-- don't like the texture, don't like the way it wrinkles. I honestly can't think of anything I like about it. You'd think the 300 lb Fabriano EW and the 140 Fabriano EW would perform the same (except for weight, of course), but for me-- they just don't. It's like two very different papers from different manufacturers. Since I'm probably in the minority here, I did wonder if I just got one big bad batch once, and I've never run out of it.

Diana

On Nov 21, 2008, at 5:02 PM, Paul Viapiano wrote:

Diana,

The 140 feels like card stock to me...what don't you like about it? The 300 must feel like mat board!

I've been folding and tearing as well...

Paul




----- Original Message ----- From: "Diana Bloomfield" <dhbloomfield@bellsouth.net>
To: <alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca>
Sent: Friday, November 21, 2008 10:39 AM
Subject: Re: paper cutting for pt/pd andother alt processes


Hi Paul,

I often use COT320 for platinum prints, so never have to cut or tear the paper- since it comes in all sorts of great sizes. But when I do use paper that I have to cut, I mostly fold mine along the edges with a bone folder and tear it that way. I just like the way it looks, and it's fun to tear paper. If I use really heavy paper that can't easily be torn, I do use a paper cutter, which makes everything look really neat and oh-so-perfect. I love using Fabriano EW 300 lb paper for gum prints-- like working with card stock. I really love that paper, and I swear my gum prints are much better on that paper, than on the 140 lb paper (can't stand the 140 lb paper). So I do use a paper cutter for that-- way too heavy to tear. I also use Rives BFK sometimes, too, and I love to tear that paper. I just like the way those edges look, when neatly torn. The biggest downside of COT320, for me, is that you don't get those wonderful torn or ragged edges with the paper.

Those are all my aesthetic decisions, mainly based on how much I love to fold and tear paper. Also, I purchased a really nice bone folder once-- when I was making books-- and because of the cost, I now feel I must use it all the time. ;)

Diana



On Nov 21, 2008, at 1:16 PM, Paul Viapiano wrote:

Hi all...

How do you all cut your paper for pt/pd and the like?

Do you rip to maintain a torn edge on all sides or use a paper cutter/x-acto/razor/whatever?

Mostly interested in your aesthetic decisions and reasons...

Thanks...

Paul