Hello all-
first time poster; a photographer friend highly recommended this forum.
I am a visual artist with a painting background working with cyanotypes for nearly 10 years, about 2/3 or more of that time working on canvas - which I've found to be more forgiving - and more recently on paper, particularly Arches Platine.
After struggling with what was probably a bad batch of Platine, I am trying to switch for the time being to hahnemuhle platinum rag, the 22" x 30" sheets.
I have printed a couple of sheets and am having lots of issues: splotching and lack of contrast, mainly.
I expose outside, and low UV levels have been part of the issue; the other issue is likely (possibly) due to coating process as well as the size and type of transparency I'm using:
i've been making hand-made transparencies, usually on Dura-lar drafting film, but in this case using Yupo paper, a white transluscent, synthetic paper. (https://yupousa.com/what-is-yupo/)
The size i'm using is roughly 22" square (about 21 3/4" by just over 22" specifically) so there's little margin from transparency to paper.
I'm attaching an image that has the hahnemuhle print on the left, and a print on Bee Mixed Media paper on the right for comparison- much better though still not ideal (https://www.jerrysartarama.com/bee-d...d-36inx5yd-808)
The feedback I've received from my contact at Bostick & Sullivan, where I've been buying supplies for years, is that (in lieu of using Tween), I should brush the paper with water, allow to be 80% dry, and then coat the paper with the cyanotype mixture (another contact there recommended 10% solution Ferrric Amon. Citrate and 10% Potassium Ferricyanide) to get a proper coating.
One last note is that I don't have any Tween in my studio, but am willing to get some if that's highly recommended, esp. based on my issues.
Thank you very much for reading and apologies if this it too long a post!
Michael
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