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Thread: Drying Fiber based paper

  1. #1

    Drying Fiber based paper

    I recently tried contact printing my first 8x 10 negatives. I used some Ilford Gallery paper that I had in storage. All went relatively well until I hung the paper up to dry, as is my usual practice with RC paper. When I went to check the paper had curled up like a bat folding its wings for his day's nap. Is there a methoed to dry fiber base paper that minimizes curling. As I write this I recall using blotter rolls before RC paper became generally available. Thanks

  2. #2
    Weekend Warrior Sanjay Sen's Avatar
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    Re: Drying Fiber based paper

    I usually dry them face down on a clean surface, like the kitchen counter-top, to reduce curling. And then when they are dry, they get pressed flat under a pile of books for a few days. Of course, there are many other ways of doing this. If you need to hang them to dry, try hanging two prints back-to-back (or is it face-to-face?). I'm sure others will chime in with their methods.

  3. #3
    Dave Karp
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    Re: Drying Fiber based paper

    I squeegee them off and put them face down on a fiberglass screen stretched tightly across a wooden frame. This works pretty well. Then I flatten the print using a dry mount press. You can also use an iron (on the backside).

  4. #4

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    Re: Drying Fiber based paper

    Just a humble suggestion - those who have a lot more ability to shed light on this subject than I have answered this question repeatedly here and in other forums - I would suggest that a search would be prudent as it would give you the biggest wealth of information and instantly at that.

  5. #5

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    Re: Drying Fiber based paper

    Just about the time I was starting in the darkroom, I read an article in a photo magazine that cautioned against the danger of blotting paper becoming contaminated. I couldn't afford to use new blotting paper each time I printed, so, since then, I've used a set of wooden clothespins with lead fishing weights attached to pull down the curl as the paper dries. (I still finish the flattening in a dry mount press, which may not be an option for you.)

    Best of luck,
    d

  6. #6

    Re: Drying Fiber based paper

    One way is after fixing, put the prints in hangers, and wash in hanger-
    size tanks. Open the springs first (fibre expands a lot when wet)
    and hang them up to dry. Small amount of curl is easily pressed
    out with a stack of books.

  7. #7

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    Re: Drying Fiber based paper

    Just about the time I was starting in the darkroom, I read an article in a photo magazine that cautioned against the danger of blotting paper becoming contaminated.

    If the prints are washed properly, contaminated from what?

  8. #8
    Louie Powell's Avatar
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    Re: Drying Fiber based paper

    Fiberglass screens

  9. #9

    Re: Drying Fiber based paper

    Thanks for the suggestions. I will try hanging them back to back, weighted on the bottom and then depending on the results try the iron on the back of the prints.

  10. #10
    Large format foamer! SamReeves's Avatar
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    Re: Drying Fiber based paper

    Even face down, some curling will happen depending on the paper manufacturer. A dry mount press is the sure fire way to get those fiber base prints flat.

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