Oil Printing ( G.E.H. Rawlins )

Alex Nanson (alec@norlex.demon.co.uk)
Mon, 24 Jun 1996 15:27:13 +0100

Hello all,

I am a newcomer to this group, and a relative newcomer to alternative
photographic processes. I have a number of queries about the Oil
printing process, which perhaps some member of the group might help me
with.

I have tried the following:-

Coating previously sized paper (200gm Dyeline Card sized with
photographic gelatine hardened with chrome alum), with :-

A). Photograhic gelatine (No hardener), or

B). Lithographers gum arabic(?) soln 14 Be.

Both the above coatings were applied by brush; when dry I sensitised the
coatings with a 5% soln of ammonium dichromate, again applied by brush.

After exposure the papers were washed free of dichromate and dried for
24 hours. I resoaked the papers, and tried applying lithographic inks
using the same method that I use for Bromoil.

However, the results were disappointing; the ink take was very poor on
both coatings, irrespective of the stiffness of the applied ink. Further
soaking had little effect apart from causing the dichromated coats to
delaminate from the gelatine size coat.

My queries are:-

1). How critical is the type of gelatine or gum used for the dichromated
coat?

2). Is it necessary to size the paper before applying the dichromated
coat?

3). Is it OK to apply the dichromate solution by brush or should the
paper be soaked in it?

4). How critical is the exposure?

5). Are standard Bromoil inks satisfactory for the oil printing process?

Any comments would be most welcome.

One further query! Are Bregman register pins or their equivalent
obtainable in the UK?

Alex.

Alex Nanson
Gloucester UK