jewelia (jewelia@erols.com)
Mon, 15 Feb 1999 18:24:08 -0800
i use both BFK and Heavyweight--got some right here!
i can't imagine either coming apart in a good soak of water since they both
are made primarily for printmaking--run through a press damp after a good
soak--but of course this would depend upon what happens to be in the water,
i suppose. True Heavyweight is lighter than BFK but the heavy, i believe is
compared to another paper called RivesLight--that other than being a lighter
weight is the same paper.
RivesLight is 115g and RivesHeavy is 175 g. Both of these are available in
either 19x26 or 26x40 sheets in white and RivesHeavy is also available in
cream. Do not be mislead by the color white here thinking it is the same
bright white you get with BFK--these papers are quite different from BFK and
the White of RivesLight/Heavy is a beautiful off-white, cream is only a
little deeper--i think quite pretty too. i think myself these are the
nicest feeling rives papers--smooth and supple wove--These papers are
watermarked --just RIVES. this paper is a more fragile paper that Rives but
should take it okay. i soak it real good overnight--blot it and run it
through a press to print my most delicate gravures because its softness
allows the paper to really go down and pick up that ink. i see no reason it
should come apart for gum--but i haven't tried it myself.
got a stack of BFK here too--both white and gray! yum!
Rives BFK is heavier than either of the above and a tougher, rougher (more
tooth) paper 250-280 gm in the ever popular white--a bright one and
offwhite, cream, tan, & gray. it comes in more sizes--22x30 to 30x44 and in
42 inch x 10 and 100 yard rolls--i want one of these! it is considered a
lightly sized paper--but this is compared to your general watercolor
paper--it is fairly stiff really but absorbent to the point that it must be
externally sized for some of you to use it in your processes i think? it is
easy to tell it from the watermark--the watermark is rather large and reads
BFK RIVES. Now, if something weird wasn't done to this paper--a couple of
other things could have happened--this is a very popular paper and Rives
will run special orders to suit your needs. heavier sizing usually. there
is what is called a waterleaf version of the paper--generally used for
proofing--you don't need to soak it--just dampen it and run it through--
waterleaf papers have no sizing in them. i don't have any of this in my
vault, however i expect it might carry the same watermark--i haven't heard
of any changes and their are always rumors floating around. i also run into
printers who bought large amounts from people running around trying to sell
reams of this stuff off the back of a beater p/u truck -- more or less what
is called seconds--i've run into this in Baltimore on occassion--i always
wondered if it is not a rip-off brand--i mean how much paper can Rives mess
up? i dunno.
next week, how to get those platinum stains off of that pretty Platine! --
jewelia
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