Ferrotype Plates
Oct 3, 2021 19:30:43 #
GerryER
Loc: Virginia USA
Will ferrotype plates do anything to enhance RC paper. I realize that you can get Hi-gloss RC papers; just curious if drying RC papers on ferrotype plates has any effect on finish?
Oct 4, 2021 23:45:44 #
Ferrotype plates have no use or effect with RC papers. They are intended for a fibre-based paper that can be dried in 2- basic ways. If left to air or heat dry with the emulsion is NOT in contact with a ferrotype plate the surface would have a "lustre" finish- we used to call it glossy-dried -matte. When dried with emulsion in contact with a ferrotype plate or on a drum dryer with a ferrotype drum surface, the print will have a high gloss finish.
The process was somewhat tedious. Sometimes a hardening fixer would cause an uneven gloss. Overwashed prints or hard water, and latent chemicals were also problematic. There were special pre-ferrotype baths and the plates and or dryer surfaces had to be kept meticulously clean and scratch-free. On a double-weight glossy paper, the gloss was very rich, much better than RC paper. RC papers became very popular because they required less washing time and if squeezed gently, they could air dry in a short time.
Kodak use to designate their fibre base glossy paer as "F" for ferrotype.
The process was somewhat tedious. Sometimes a hardening fixer would cause an uneven gloss. Overwashed prints or hard water, and latent chemicals were also problematic. There were special pre-ferrotype baths and the plates and or dryer surfaces had to be kept meticulously clean and scratch-free. On a double-weight glossy paper, the gloss was very rich, much better than RC paper. RC papers became very popular because they required less washing time and if squeezed gently, they could air dry in a short time.
Kodak use to designate their fibre base glossy paer as "F" for ferrotype.
Oct 5, 2021 07:39:28 #
GerryER
Loc: Virginia USA
Thank you for your input. I knew most of what you stated but was curious as to why it would not have any effect on the RC paper, when the emulsion side was placed on the plate. I assume it is because the RC paper doesn't "swell" enough to conform to the plate when pressed (squeegeed) to the plate and dried. I'm not looking for more work in the darkroom, just curious. I do have some fiber based paper and like to play with the older processes. Thanks again for commenting.
Oct 5, 2021 15:24:44 #
GerryER wrote:
Thank you for your input. I knew most of what you stated but was curious as to why it would not have any effect on the RC paper, when the emulsion side was placed on the plate. I assume it is because the RC paper doesn't "swell" enough to conform to the plate when pressed (squeegeed) to the plate and dried. I'm not looking for more work in the darkroom, just curious. I do have some fibre-based paper and like to play with the older processes. Thanks again for commenting.
You got it- the emulsion is isolated by the resin so it is not absorbent and will not be altered by the surface of the plate.
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