Re: 4-color carbon question

Luis Nadeau (nadeaul@darwin.nbnet.nb.ca)
Sat, 9 Dec 1995 16:57:52 -0400

>>> I am working in 4-color carbon and am having trouble with the black (final
>>> transfer of a "single transfer" process) adhering to the magenta,
>>> particularly in the maximum density areas. It starts to wash off in clumps
>>> about half way through the washout. I can stop it by cutting the wash
>>> short. Is the gelatin of the black swelling too much, or is the Dmax

Do you pre-wet the black before attempting the final transfer onto your magenta?

What about the three color image with the magenta on top of it? How long do
you pre-wet and at what temp?

>>> magenta inhibiting adhesion?

Note that overexposure of the black can also be the cause of your problem.
Also, make sure there is no extra hardening (in a chemical hardener, e.g.,
chrome alum) between transfers.

>We are doing true continuous tone carbon prints. Do you think anyone cares?

I think what David is referring to here is the fact that some people have a
problem using a process that uses a *screen* as the resulting print is
considered not an original photograph but a photomechanical reproduction.
They feel less money can be asked from a print from a halftone as it is
more or less a "poster" instead of being an actual photograph. The fact
that the screen in invisible to the naked eye (you need a good magnifying
glass to see it) does not make them change their mind.

Those who have the problem I described above would "care" about a
continuous tone process. I am not aware of a survey that would indicate
just how many people are bothered by the invisible presence of a halftone.

I have received A LOT more complaints from people (photographers, curators,
collectors) who feel that the newer processes may be permanent and
saturated but, thanks to their use of a polyester base, they look like the
laminated placemats one sees at McDonalds restaurants... This description
is usually followed by a "yuk"... A lot of people rejected Cibachromes for
the same reason.

Some people say the newer techniques can be used on real paper but when I
ask to see them, for some strange reason, I never get a reply. Go figure. I
have also never seen a continuous tone print made from materials designed
for screen reproduction.

Luis Nadeau
awef6t@mi.net
nadeaul@nbnet.nb.ca
http://www.primenet.com/~dbarto/lnadeau.html#A0