RE: Albumen paper
John wrote: I want to make some albumen paper for printing wetplate negs. What papers are recommended and what weight? The range of paper here in the UK seems to be quite limited in comparison to the US, for example I’ve never seen Cranes here. What qualities does the paper need, buffered, unbuffered etc. As others have suggested, thin paper is advantageous. I would add that smoothness (lack of surface texture) is a considerable virtue, as well as a rather hard finish that is not so absorptive. I have used any number of papers, some of which were likely buffered, without any difficulty. (These days, for any alt process, I soak buffered paper in weak HCl to neutralize it.) Some of the best papers for albumen, in my view, are drawing papers sold in pads. One of the Bienfang drawing papers was my favorite, but I do not recall which one. The Crane's Kid Finish suggested by (other) John works well, but I'm not as fond of the current "pearl white" as I was of the previous "white." Crane's White Thesis Paper also works very well, is somewhat thinner, and last I knew is not watermarked. Best regards, etienne
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