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Re: Homemade paper and Luminos

Hi,

I have been labourering away trying to create a good home-made paper for
blueprints, and I've hit the same kind of problems with sizing and
wet-strength.

So far, I have used re-cycled computer paper with various colourants and
additives, but the result is essentially blotting paper! Currently I'm
experimenting with various proportions of PVA size in the mix, and I will
try the results as soon as the UK sun rises high enough.

I haven't tried making paper from cotton, but I take the point about the
longer fibres and wet strength. One problem I havent encountered is the
smoothness of the end-result. Most of the time, I actually want a textured
surface, so I air-dry the sheets. But I have also ironed the still-damp
sheets on a laminate surface, and the result is very smooth.

I have also printed images (and text) on the unsized sheets with an Epson
ink-jet, and the results are excellent - I assume thats' because the
ink-droplets dry so quickly.

It just isn't very 'Alt' though, is it....!!!

Chris
----- Original Message -----
From: Gary Miller <gmphotos@earthlink.net>
To: <alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2000 7:00 AM
Subject: Re: Homemade paper and Luminos


> The handmade papers that you are making sound like they have shorter
fibers,
> especially if you will be making it from egg cartons.  Egg carton handmade
> paper may give you a lot of trouble as the short fibers will lend
themselves
> to a paper that has very little wet strength.  I would recommend making
> paper with longer fibers, using mostly first cut cotton linters or cotton
> rag.  Then I would add an internal sizing like methylcellulose or acrylic
> gel medium or both, and also Kaolin clay to help fill in the surface of
the
> final paper a bit.  You could then externally size you paper with
> methylcellulose or gelatin prior to coating with the liquid emulsions.
Hot
> pressing the paper will help to add density to the final paper.  I would
> also recommend trying to make thicker papers for both wet strength and
> increased density after pressing.  You mentioned that you are using a
> blender, but if you can access a Hollander beater, or beat by hand
somehow,
> you will produce a much finer paper.  The blender really serves to break
up
> the longer fibers that you want in the first place.  Beating will just
break
> apart the longer fibers in a process known as fibrillation.  I did several
> experiments at the end of last year to make handmade paper for writing and
> photographic purposes.  My biggest battles were sizing and smooth
surfaces.
> It took a lot of experimentation to get it right.  Store bought handmade
> paper will tend to work better in many cases, or mould-made papers,
because
> they are sized well and pressed on machines that I only dream that I had
> access to.    If sizing was not enough then the fountain pen ink just
bleed
> into the paper.  The same will happen with the liquid emulsion.  So size
> until you drop, press until you condense, and then marvel at your lovely
> work.  Good luck;
>
> Gary Miller
>
>