fhayes Loc: Madison, Tennessee

I picked up a couple of paper dryers, with the metal plate and fabric that goes over the paper and holds it down. My question is, which side up, the back or the print?
Thanks, Frank

todd gieg

I don't know that I'm familiar with the dryers you describe but when I used to work in a studio forty years ago we used a drum dryer and single weight fiber paper. For a glossy surface the print was soaked in a solution called Pakosol then squeegeed and laid face up on the fabric belt with the print surface against the metal. Double weight fiber prints would be placed face down with the back of the print against the metal. This is what I would suggest for what you're doing. For my own work I would air dry the prints on plastic screens and then flatten them in a dry mount press. This avoids any chemical contact from a contaminated dryer. Good luck.

altheman Loc: Christchurch, New Zealand

If you are using fibre based paper and it is "Glossy" and you want a glossy finish then dry it with the emulsion down (in contact with metal plate). The plate needs to very clean and shiny (polished) a solution of dilute acetic acid is good for cleaning it. If you want a mat finish then dry the print emulsion up. Do not under any circumstances dry resin coated paper emulsion down as it will melt and wreck your dryer. It is ok to dry it emulsion up but don't leave it for to long as you will have the same problem. RC paper is best air dryed.

FOTOSTAN Loc: Ca..NYC..Fla.

[quote=fhayes]I picked up a couple of paper dryers, with the metal plate and fabric that goes over the paper and holds it down. My question is, which side up, the back or the print?
Thanks,

After processing glossy photo paper, glossy side to the face of the metal .. fabric only holds print onto the dryer. Don't forget to use proper wetting agent.

fhayes Loc: Madison, Tennessee

What do you mean by wetting agent? As you can see, I am dry behind the ears on this. I'd like to find a book that explains doing it since I don't know anyone with a print dryer like these.
Thanks, Frank

FOTOSTAN Loc: Ca..NYC..Fla.

I have used this type of print dryer for many many years,you will need some type of glossy photo print solution, that removes any air bubbles etc. as the print dries.(IF, it is still made) This type of dryer will not be of any help with digital type of glossy paper.
, which dries within a few minutes..

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

The "wetting agent" would be the Pakosol mentioned by todd gieg earlier. If you can't find it, you might try a diluted solution of glycerin/water. Creating a really good glossy finish on a fiber based paper was a major frustration to many photographers until the advent of RC photo-paper.