Question 1: A complex problem. My experience with cyanotype is that it
does not keep well after sensitizing. Others have reported
that it keeps well under low humidity conditions.
Platinium coated papers, in my experience, also do not
keep well as the sensitized area absorbs moisture and the
print gets grainey SCHRAMMR@WLSVAX.WVNET.EDU (if you use potassium chlorate in the
sensitizer. To avoid these problems, sensitize and print
the same day.
Question 2: The usual practice is to use diluted Dektol with ortho
film to get continuous tone. Try dilutions from 1:5 to
1: 10. Since you can develop this film by red safe light,
you develop by inspection. This will take a little practice.
Cut up a sheet of film to make test strips. You can use
these to get the right dilution, exposure time and time
of development.
Bob Schramm
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