I have had this problem from time to time with almost every paper I've used,
Crane's less so than most others. One common wisdom is that it can be
caused by metal particles that result from cutting the paper with a blade,
therefore tear rather than cut the paper to size. Personally, I have found
this to make no difference. It seems to be more of a problem in expensive
hand-made papers than with mould- or machine-made. I think Brian is right
that you can often predict where they will appear by looking at the paper on
a light table and noting minute "holes" or spots. What can be done about it
is another question that I wish I had a better answer to than try a
different paper.
I too have been working with Simili Japon 225 gms. I find double-coating to
be more beneficial with this paper than with most. The second coat goes on
much better if the first is thoroughly dry. I have been letting the first
coat air-dry overnight. I'm sure a drying cabinet would work well also.
Keith Schreiber
-----Original Message-----
From: Stephen R Harrison <SRH@StephenHarrison.com>
To: alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca <alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca>
Date: Sunday, March 01, 1998 9:43 PM
Subject: Japon Simili
>I just purchased 50 sheets of Japon Simili 225 gm for Pt/Pd printing and it
>seems there is a metal contaminate in the paper. I have spent one entire
>day trouble shooting this problem and I am not having any problems with
>other papers sa platine. I even changed hair dryers thinking that perhaps
>it was spitting out flecks of metal. Nope! Finally realized it is the paper
>that is guilty.
> Does anyone use this paper and have similar problems. I then tried
>brushing the Japon Simili paper with an anti static brush, cleaning with
>a vacuum, etc with no luck . Each print in the highlights has one or two or
>even three small black craters in it. Any experience with Japon Simili ?
>Any ideas how to clean off the paper assuming the contaminate lies of the
>surface. Perhaps it is in the fibers and impossible to remove. ???
>
>Stephen Harrison
>
>