Print squeegee panel anybody?

[Phil Hudson]

I'm fitting out a darkroom and have been considering adding a print squeegee panel at the back of the sink to view/compare test prints under standard conditions.

Does anyone else use one?

If so, would you be kind enough to post a picture of yours, or describe the materials and construction, size, your workflow, etc? By that I mean do you view them after an initial quick rinse, or straight out of the fixer, or only once fully washed, etc?

Any pointers appreciated!

[bob carnie]

I observe the prints in the developer, then turn on lights for no longer than 30 seconds to make my assessment before moving on to the next correction.

[Mark Sampson]

I've always used a big piece of plexiglass for that purpose; it sits behind the fixer tray. I'll put a first-fixed and rinsed print up there to have a look. I got it for free from the hardware store because it was scratched. I use a similar (clean) one for squeegeeing washed prints before putting them on the drying screen.

[faberryman]

I turn on the lights and view my print after it is in the first wash tray. I make a mental note that it is going to dry down. Of course, sometimes a print goes straight from the developer to the trash. I have been known to forget to stop down after refocusing.

[bob carnie]

My training in lith printing gave me the resolve to look at contrast and density in the developer and its amazingly easy to see potential problem areas as the print is there.. I always make darker and lighter versions depending upon where I want the print to fall... sometimes I like a deep brooding print, other times very light and open with only a hint of jet black..

Dry down is always a consideration , therefore the extra prints ... I usually end up picking the middle print next day for exhibition.

[LabRat]

I try not to consider too much what a print looks like while in process, as the density will change later, even after it flattens out in the hot press... At least seeing if the highlights have a bare hint of detail when wet, and learning by experience what shadow level will be open or black out...

A squeegee board to let water drain away from print (for a minute or two), and then a wipe down of wet print (I like using a sponge) should be used...

Steve K

[Bruce Barlow]

I use white plexiglas, since the print will end up in a white mat. I think I stole that idea from Alan Ross.

I turn the lights on for a while - if my eyes have not re-adjusted to room light or my print illumination light, I make bad decisions.

[Drew Wiley]

For up to 20X24 prints, I have a big sheet of plate glass propped up at one end of the sink. For bigger prints, I have a big melamine coated board in the next room with a short length of plastic raingutter under it draining into a bucket. The edges are sealed with marine epoxy.

[Vaughn]

I did all my silver printing (1977 to mid-1990s) in a university darkroom. no turning white lights on in the darkroom! So I always fixed the print (at least 1/2 the time), rinsed it, then took it to the outer (daylight) room. I would put it on a large slanted piece of white melamine coated board hung on the wall. I would not look at the print for a minute. I let me eyes adjust to the bright light -- otherwise my first impression would be that the print was lighter than it was due to my dialated pupils. I always felt that this was the cause of some students' "dry-down".

I had an old piece of rain gutter under the viewing board to catch any drips.

[Merg Ross]

I use a 16x20 piece of white acrylic for judging smaller prints. It sits atop, and drains directly into the fixer tray.

[Phil Hudson]

I use a 16x20 piece of white acrylic for judging smaller prints. It sits atop, and drains directly into the fixer tray.

So fix for about half the total time, quick rinse then paste on the squeegee panel to view? Then back into the fixer I guess.

Thanks for all the input so far - it's really helping me to think about my darkroom workflow as it has been a while since I had access to one.

[Robert Bowring]

After I fix the print I rinse it in flowing water for a couple of minutes then view it in a clean white tray under my viewing light. I use couple of old clean ferrotype plates to squeegee the washed prints and then air dry them on fiberglass screens.

[mdarnton]

I always just used the flat bottom of my biggest tray, sitting in the sink, leaning back against the wall.

[William Whitaker]

A white plastic cutting board. No sharp edges and it has a handle already cut into it. For larger prints, the bottom of a 16x20 white plastic tray. For the squeegee I bought a better-quality new 20-inch windshield wiper blade at WalMart. It works great.

[Ron McElroy]

I use a large piece of grey PVC leaned against the wall. After fixing the print I give a quick rinse and place it on the board. I view the print with a 15watt white bulb. Anything brighter and I will misjudge the drydown of the final print.

[bob carnie]

I make three prints as stated above.. The main reason is I never know exactly the lighting of final position of the prints.. As I print for others my work ends up on walls that I have no ability to judge the light.

So if you know exactly where the print is going to reside... take meter measurments and then match them in your print area... but for me that is an impossible scenerio to work with...

With three prints I am pretty much assured the gallery will pick the print that works best in their lighting arrangement.