carbon in hot weather
pmurf@concentric.net
2/8/1998 21:45
For anyone making carbon matrix (tissue) for
printing mono-chrome Carbon, I suggest this
approach: pour your measured gelatin onto a levelled
piece of plexi or perspex whose surface is
immaculate and whose edges have been taped with
lithographers tape or similar in such a way as
to form a barrier from the gelatin leaving the
edge. "Even" the layer quickly and carefully before
it sets with a comb. Once set, strip away the tape and
dry the gelatin to the plexi. The advantage in this
is that without backing paper the gelatin dries
more rapidly and the surface of the matrix
against the plexi remains free of dust. When
needed, a dampened sheet of paper can be squeeged
to the gelatin surface, dried (which is rapid),
then peeled away from the plexi giving a
flawless surface. This is a modern version of
how Woodbury made his Woodburytype "tissue".
His method used glass coated with oxgall.
Also, for you hot-weather matrix makers; if
your matricies are thick or take too long to
dry, you may end up with molds growing in
your gelatin. If it happens, find a fungicide
that won't fog your result. The safer route
is just dry as rapidly as you can.
all the best,
Phillip Murphy