[alt-photo] Clearing Up A Few Things About RC Paper Negs for Alt

[Francesco Fragomeni]

Hi all,

I'm just looking for a bit of clarification on a few points about using RC
paper for paper negatives for alt-processes once and for all. I've used
them quite a bit in the past but not for an alt-process so some new points
for clarification have come up that I'd like opinions on before I hit the
grindstone. I'm sure much of this will be a bit of a repeat so forgive me
for beating a dead horse if I am.

I'm interested in using RC paper negatives for pt/pl. Apparently, RC paper
contains UV inhibitors that would make this difficult. Is this in fact the
case or are some of you actually printing RC paper negs to pt/pl without
problem?

Assuming that RC paper does inhibit UV as seems to be the case, many have
cited peeling to be a viable solution. From what I can find, it seems that
the proper course of action is to bluntly strike an edge of the paper
to separate the plastic layer just slightly and then soak the paper in hot
water for some amount of time until the plastic layer can be peeled off.
Correct?

I've never peeled before so forgive me if this is a silly question but is
the image left on the plastic layer, correct?

I've read that the curling of the peeled layer can be problematic, do you
find this to be the case? If so, is there a method
for permanently flattening this layer prior to printing through it?

Thanks for the clarifications!

-Francesco