Toning and Processing Sequence

[William Marderness]

When using gold and selenium toners (not on the same print), do I need to wash a print thoroughly before toning. My understanding is that gold toner requires a full wash before toning, and that selenium toner, which includes hypo in it, doe s not require any wash before toning. Is this correct?

[Doug Paramore]

Can't say on gold toning for sure...I haven't gold-toned a print for years, so don't know if it's changed. For selenium, fix normally for about three minutes, give a three to five minute rinse in running water, then a three minute fix in fixer without acid hardener, then directly into the toner. After the print reaches the tone you want, go to a hypo-clear bath for a few minutes and into the normal wash time. Do not drain the print between the last fixing bath and the toner. Doug.

[William Marderness]

I left out some important information. I use a non-hardening fixer.

[N Dhananjay]

If there's acid in your process (stop, fixer), its probably a good idea to rinse well (I've heard you can get staining if your print is in an acid state when it goes into the selenium toner). DJ

[Doremus Scudder]

William, I don't gold tone, so I can't help you there either, but I routinely use selenium. My technique is to transfer the print directly from my second fixing bath (which is non-hardening) into the selenium toner without rinsing. After the print is toned, it goes into a hypo- clearing bath and then into the wash. As I understand it, if you do rinse between fixer and toner without thoroughly washing, you run the risk of stains or streaks. I have never had any problems with my technique. Hope this helps, ;^D)

[Doug Paramore]

William: Even thogh you use non-hardening fixer, I would still use a two bath fix with a rinse in between. It is just insurance against spotty toning. Selenium toning is an easy process. I do not fully tone my prints. I just tone until the green of the paper goes away and the blacks take on a slight black-purple tone. It really increases the depth of the image. Doug.

[William Marderness]

Thanks for all your help. I should add that I use TF-4 alkaline fixer and no stop, but a good water rinse.

[William Marderness]

Thanks for all your help. I should add that I use TF-4 alkaline fixer and no stop, but a good water rinse. I am interested in gold toner because I have been toning POP paper with it with nice results. I thought I would try gold toner with conventional paper too.

[Trevor Crone]

William you are indeed correct about gold toning requiring a wash before toning as it is very sensitive about any fixer carry over. Like most direct toners it w orks best with chlorobromide papers giving a delicate pale blue colour. I hope this is of some help. Regards, Trevor,