Drying and mounting barythpaper

[odd]

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I’m working on a project where I want to hold a small exhibition of some of my photos. I’m printing on barythpaper 30 x 40 cm. I air-dry my prints and I have problems with the curling of the paper.

 

I got the advise to iron’ it and that helps, but I’m not satisfied with the result.

 

For many, many years ago I used a “glossy-press” (don’t know the English name) but I don’t remember the results. I’m sure someone in the forum has some experience and advice!

 

Regards

Odd

[francofile]

I suggest a couple of options:

 

When air-drying do it on a mesh screen - image side down.

 

When the print is absolutely dry flatten any curl using a dry mounting press on low heat for 30 minutes ( 50- 60 degrees centigrade) with the prints between heavy cartridge paper. I leave mine overnight with the heat off.

 

The best way to present the prints is to dry -mount them and over matt.

 

The best instruction reference that I have found is Ansel Adam's - "The Print" it has a great section on mounting.

 

I aquired my mounting press on ebay for about €10.00 - the only problem was that it weighed 100kilo and I had to collect!

 

Good luck.

 

Andrew

[Jean-Michel Komarnicki]

Hi,

 

The advice that Andrew (francofile) gave you is very much what I do, except that I no longer dry-mount my prints. If you follow his advice, it is important to make sure that there are no bits of dirt on any surface as that would put a dent into your print. I imagine that you do not have access to a dry-mounting press; it is possible, but very tedious, to flatten the prints with an iron: you will need a hard surface, then put the print between clean 4-ply mounting boards, iron, set aside with a heavy weight over the print sandwich; iron another print, and so on, then repeat the whole procedure. You will not be able to revove all the wrinkles from the edges. You should leave at least one or two centimetres all around your image in any case. Dry mounting (my preferred method fo many years) is not necessarily the best method to mount prints, and most serious buyers will follow conservators' advice and avoid dry-mounted prints. Just hinge the print and mat. Good luck with your exhibition.

Jean-Michel

[odd]

Hi

 

Thanks to both of you for you for your help.

 

I’ve had Adam's book for many years, but hadn't thought of reading them. But it was a good advice to look there.

 

I have the possibility to by a second hand Ademco 2226 , dry mounting press, and wonder if some of you have any experience with that press?

 

Odd

[Guest Lotw]

I tried all the above suggestions, but it was not good enough for me and all have their own disadvantages. the impression of sharpness is best served if you just have the patience and dedication to dry it on glass after wiping the water away (image/emulsion up of course) and sticking it to the glasstape with aquarel-tape, all around the borders, do not wet the tape too much and maintain a border of 3-5mm. you can then dry it on its own or use the hairdryer, I cannot really tell the difference between the two, although with the hairdryer sometimes I believe there is some more gloss.

[haris]

You can try next options:

 

1. Use something like Dryers 2

 

2. Put two prints one to another with theire backsides, not sides where image is. Fasten them all around (around all 4 sides) with cloth pegs or like that. Hang them on to air dry. When prints drying they will start to curl on oposite directions, but pegs and way they are placed will "compensate" curling. When prints are completely dry, you can place them between sheets of plain paper and put something heavy on to flaten them further.

[francofile]

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"I have the possibility to by a second hand Ademco 2226 , dry mounting press, and wonder if some of you have any experience with that press?"

 

 

This is the same press that I have. I have used it for the last two years. The great advantage is the size of the press bed. It is also very well constructed and very heavy - it needs a strong support and once you have it in position you don't want to move it again.

 

One piece of essential advice is never to grease the bearing between the screw and top plate. The heat makes the grease de-nature and it then tend to stick.

 

The only slight problem is the time that it takes to get up to temperature - about 30 minutes, so it is a good idea to plan a lot of prints into one mounting session. If you do buy one and need the original instructions I think I have them somewhere. If you need it I will look it out and send you a scan.

 

Ademco is now part of SEAL and there is no aftersales support.

Hope this helps.

 

Andrew