[alt-photo] sizing options for color gum

[Gordon J. Holtslander]

I'm starting to work with gum printing again.  I want to start doing 
color gum from digital negatives.  My previous gum work was all from 
very large format pinhole negatives.  I've been using Maidstone paper.  
It worked well with my pinhole negatives.

There are a more sizing and hardening options than when I was doing gum. 
   I used grocery store knox,  hardened chrome alum.  I used to coat my 
paper with gum and then soak in chrome alum to harden.

Does higher bloom gelatine make a difference in sizing?

I can't use formalin because I am allergic to formaldehyde, and won't 
use glyoxal for the same reason.

The new options are Gamblin PVA and gluteraldehyde.  I'm prepared to 
make a "fume hood" in my darkroom to deal with gluteralehyde fumes - I 
believe its too cold in Saskatoon, SK to size and dry outside in the 
winter.  Is gluteraldehyde worth the effort or should I use Gamblin PVA 
or chrome alum?

What are peoples experience with sizing?   I've done some preliminary 
work with Gamblin PVA - it looks promising.   I tried undiluted GAmblin 
- but it was way to glossy. 2:1 Gamblin appearw workable.

Anyone using something different than PVA or hardened Gelatin?

Gord


-- 
Gordon J. Holtslander
gjh at shaw.ca