Flattening Fiber-Based Paper [U]Before[/U] Printing?

[tgtaylor]

Last night I printed several prints using Bergger and Ilford MG Art 300. The Bergger was in a 25 sheet pack which exhibited a slight curl to the center no doubt due to the streamline packaging. But the Ilford was packaged in a box of 50 sheets and exhibited a more pronounced curl to the center.

I wonder if the humidity causes it to curl and, if so, would storing the paper in a low humidity environment result inless curl? Or does it matter if you use a 4-blade easel? What do you think?

Thomas

[adelorenzo]

I believe it is the opposite case, more humidity will keep the paper flatter. You should should see what happens to paper in my darkroom where the relative humidity can be as low as 20%.

[bigdog]

With a good easel, you're fine.

[Pawlowski6132]

I believe it is the opposite case, more humidity will keep the paper flatter. You should should see what happens to paper in my darkroom where the relative humidity can be as low as 20%.

NOT to suggest you keep your paper in high humidity conditions. This is not good for paper.

Further, the whole point of an easel is to keep your paper positioned and flat.

And, as I'm sure you've noticed, getting the paper flat AFTER all's said and done is a bigger challenge.

[Chuck P.]

I have made the mistake of putting a whole box of paper in a paper safe, then not printing for a long time. It seems that because there is a lot of space in the paper safe, it leaves ample room to start to curl if conditions are right. I no longer keep paper in the paper safe as a rule, except when I'm printing----unused paper goes back in the box and a somewhat heavy piece of 8x10 glass goes in on top of it as room permits.