UV light sources for alternative processes

[Dan Smith]

I am looking for info on the best ways to put together a repeatable and dependab le UV light source for contact printing carbon & platinum images so I don't have to rely on the sun. Anyone out there with a solid address for info or experien ce in making one that can give some information on this? I would like to build i t in a cabinet or such that can be closed up and will accept prints & negs up to 20x24 for contact printing.

[doc]

Sorry I can contribute an answer. Instead I have a question. Where can I find out how to do the kind of printing you are doing with carbon and platinum images in contact frames. Thanks.

[Sergio Ortega]

Dan, Contact the following outfit and ask them to send you a copy of their cata logue/manual:

The Palladio Company, Inc., #2400, 200 Boston Avenue, Medford, Ma. 02155, 800-6 28-9618. (no e-mail, website that I know of).

Their free catalogue/manual has extremely detailed plans for building and using UV light sources for alternative printing materials. They sell the UV light bul bs, in the sizes you will need, as well as enlarging film, developers and chemic als for alternative processes, and pre-coated papers.

Their manual also has the best instructional information on negative enlargement techniques I've seen anywhere. A wealth of information.

Good luck, Sergio.

[Michael Wellman]

The Pallidio Company is a good source of information and material. There is also a new book out called "The New Platinum Print" by Richard Sullivan and Carl Weese. Very good book on platinum/palldium printing. The have a chapter on how to build your own light source which you could use to build in the cabinet.

[Tony Brent]

If you can come by one at an auction or other source, a lithographer's plate bur ner will have a high intensity mercury vapor lamp that will expose your material s. They will also have a vacuum frame that will give good contact for your negat ives, and allow you to pin register if needed.They will also have a timer includ ed.

The NuArc company made a line of small self contained units that had a glass fra me about 14 x 17 or so, all in a cabinet about the size of a large picnic cooler .

There are other brands as well.

You might visit some print shops in your area and ask if they have one they migh t want to sell, or if they know who does, or of an equipment dealer who might ha ve some bargains.