From: Scott Wainer (smwbmp@starpower.net)
Date: 10/05/03-06:35:18 PM Z
Re: Fresson ProcessBecause of the number of people requesting information on this process, I am posting its description to the list rather than tie my computer up sending so many e-mails. Also, due to the length of the article I will break it up into 3 parts.
Please note that the formatting (and possibly spelling) was slightly changed from the original text by my OCR program.
From:
Handbook of Photography
Keith Henney and Beverley Dudley
1939, New York and London,
Whittelsey House division of The McGraw-Hill Book Co.
Fresson Printing
Fresson is, in effect, a revival of the Artigue process, which was more or less used some 25 or 30 years ago, and like carbon and gum it depends on the fact that a colloid film, when sensitized with a chromic salt and exposed to light, becomes more or less insoluble in water.
The paper supplied for this process consists of a sheet of paper carrying a basic layer of some hard colloid - presumably either gelatin or glue - which has a high melting point. Over this is laid a stratum of softer colloid - probably gelatin - which melts at about 96F and which carries a relatively heavy content of pigment. The paper is supplied insensitive and is sensitized just before use by immersion in a solution of potassium bichromate, being afterward dried and printed under a negative. At this point the process diverges from both gum and carbon, since, instead of being developed by floating on cold water, as with gum, or by washing with hot water, as with carbon, the printed paper is soaked for a short time in tepid water, is then laid face up on a slanting surface, and is developed by pouring over it a soup of boxwood sawdust in water.
Advantages
The process has a long scale of gradation, gives very rich blacks, and has a beautiful absolutely matte surface closely resembling that of platinum.
The prints are absolutely permanent.
The paper may be obtained in several different colors, and on several different supports.
Modifications of total contrast are very easily made.
It is extreamely easy to make modifications of local values.
The process is very easy to work, requiring but little technical skill. Also there is great latitude in handling.
Disadvantages
Fresson is a contact-printing process, requiring a very strong light, and it is practically impossible to use it for enlarging.
It is somewhat laborious to work, requiring a good deal of time for development if the best expression of the process is to be obtained.
The surface of the paper, both before and after printing, is very delicate and easily marred, so finished prints must be handeled carefully.
The Paper
As has been said, this is bought insensitive and, if stored in a cool dry place, will keep almost indefinately, though the colloid gradually hardens with time,requiring slightly warmer water for processing. It is advisable to store it flat, under light pressure, to minimize its tendency to curl. The paper may be obtained in black, dark brown, sepia, blue-green, and red and on either a white or cream support, which last may be either smooth or slightly rough.
As the emulsion is very delicate and as the warmth of the fingers is sufficent to melt the colloid, it is advisable to handle the paper only by the edges; therefore it shaould be purchased and used a size larger than the print is to be i.e., 5 by 7 in. for a 4- by 5- in. print, or 11 by 14 for an 8- by 10- in. print. If larger prints are wanted, it is best to get the full-size sheet, approximately 23 by 35 in. and cut it to size.
The sawdust
This is a special boxwood sawdust, put up by the manufacturer of the paper and sold in packages of the proper amount to make 5 or 6 qt. of the soup. The exact amount of water is not important; the soup should be thin enough to pour readily but not so thin as to be ineffective, and within these wide limits the strength does not greatly matter.
The sawdust may be used repeatedly - almost indefinitely, in fact - and does not lose its effectiveness. It is simply allowed to dry between the occasions of use, being mixed again with water when desired. It is sometimes stated that a preservative should be used in the soup to prevent putrefaction of the gelatin which is washed off the prints; But the writer has not found this to be at all necessary, having used the same batch of sawdust for more than 4 years with no troublewhatever. It is true that the gelatin forms a hard crust over the sawdust as the water evaporates, but this does no harm, being redily soaked soft again.
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