Author Topic: HELP! How do I make my prints flat?  (Read 2189 times)

jojonas~

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HELP! How do I make my prints flat?
« on: August 06, 2012, 04:47:53 PM »
I've got this heater thingie... I guess the paper should be a bit moist? I really don't want to ruin it but no one in my darkroom knows how it is supposed to be used anymore.

('scuze the D shot, I am in a rush~)
« Last Edit: August 06, 2012, 05:01:00 PM by jojonas~ »
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jojonas~

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Re: HELP! How do I make my prints flat?
« Reply #1 on: August 06, 2012, 05:54:31 PM »
ok, I have gotten some ideas now.. I'll post them here but I'd still be interested to hear if anyone here has used one and what your methods are :)

got a tip to look here: http://www.apug.org/forums/forum37/57699-getting-fiber-based-paper-flat.html

some advice here that I've gotten:
1- Add a dry copy face down and squeeze a quarter or so of around 85 degrees. Would you like glossy copies shall be soaked in wetting a while, but it's damn hard to get it all the time (and fabrics may need replacing before so you do not solve the old chemistry). Dry pressing is easier.

2- If the copy is dry, moisten the back lightly. Then the image with the emulsion side towards the screen, but with the screen, you should definitely have a smooth passepartoutkartong between. Then heat for a while but not too hot and allow to cool. Then change the canvas as fast as you can! The towel makes itself probably best in the shower

thread on I shoot film: www.flickr.com/groups/ishootfilm/discuss/7215 7630932303080/


yeah, I went a bit all over the place. all stressed out ;D gonna put something in my belly now andthen head out before it starts to rain again :)
/jonas

Andrej K

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Re: HELP! How do I make my prints flat?
« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2012, 09:29:57 PM »
I was always scared of those devices.. I am trying to get a dry press but it seems a non-existent item round these parts, so here is what I do - dry two prints hanged with their back sides squeegeed together, than held at all four corners with clothes pins - they are not completely flat when dry, but it takes then just a couple of days under some lovely photo books (e.g. the Bruce Davidson triple volume is especially nice for this).
A bit quicker method is leaving them to dry on a sheet of glass or plexi taped approx. half to 1cm around the border with paper tape - the kind you have to wet to make it stick. Pretty flat when dry.
Website of sorts, as well as ipernity thing.

jojonas~

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Re: HELP! How do I make my prints flat?
« Reply #3 on: August 06, 2012, 09:32:21 PM »
there seems to be many solutions to this old problem :) if I get into fibre based prints more then I might consider getting some varnish to use this and get some real shine to a few prints~
/jonas

Francois

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Re: HELP! How do I make my prints flat?
« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2012, 10:22:16 PM »
You're lucky to have ferrotype plates on yours. The way these work is you squeegee the excess water from the FB print (never put RC in those or you'll just wreck the plate) and put them on the plate. Emulsion down for glossy prints, emulsion on top for matte. And then, you wait for the magic to happen. When the print is dry, it should detach itself from the plate. If it's stuck, leave it longer to cook. Trying to pry it off will just damage the emulsion and make the plate a nightmare to clean.

Or at least, that's the theory on it...
Francois

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Jack Johnson

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Re: HELP! How do I make my prints flat?
« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2012, 11:17:36 PM »
I was always scared of those devices.. I am trying to get a dry press but it seems a non-existent item round these parts, so here is what I do - dry two prints hanged with their back sides squeegeed together, than held at all four corners with clothes pins - they are not completely flat when dry, but it takes then just a couple of days under some lovely photo books (e.g. the Bruce Davidson triple volume is especially nice for this).
A bit quicker method is leaving them to dry on a sheet of glass or plexi taped approx. half to 1cm around the border with paper tape - the kind you have to wet to make it stick. Pretty flat when dry.

It's been so long, I can't remember completely, but I remember doing the clothespin trick! And definitely the book trick (with my biology and photography texts) and a lot of dry mounting, but I also seem to remember some trick with waxed paper and books? Maybe I'm crazy....

LT

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Re: HELP! How do I make my prints flat?
« Reply #6 on: August 07, 2012, 07:55:39 AM »
My 4 steps to flat(ish) prints which doesn't include electricity zapping giant machines:

1. Squeegee BOTH sides of the wet paper.

2. Dry on screens with printed side facing down. (screens can be made easily with baton wood and netting material from a haberdashery)

3. Once dry, place under a heavy weight for at least a week.

4. Store in a dry atmosphere.
« Last Edit: August 07, 2012, 07:58:07 AM by Leon »
L.

Andrej K

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Re: HELP! How do I make my prints flat?
« Reply #7 on: August 07, 2012, 10:41:01 AM »
Leon, I have been thinking about that method as well - I was just afraid of putting the prints face down onto the screens. What material are your screens made of? Could I use those fine nylon/poly-something nets that are use in windows?
Website of sorts, as well as ipernity thing.

LT

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Re: HELP! How do I make my prints flat?
« Reply #8 on: August 07, 2012, 12:45:54 PM »
Could I use those fine nylon/poly-something nets that are use in windows?

that's exactly what i use.

The only time I wont dry face down is if I have used thiocarbamide toners, or sulphide toners as these make the emulsion quite soft until they are dried.

You need to take care to keep the frames clean though.
L.

Andrej K

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Re: HELP! How do I make my prints flat?
« Reply #9 on: August 07, 2012, 01:09:05 PM »
Thanks, Leon!
I have some at home but they are somehow way to elastic, will look around for something a bit more firm...
Website of sorts, as well as ipernity thing.

Francois

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Re: HELP! How do I make my prints flat?
« Reply #10 on: August 07, 2012, 03:06:59 PM »
Then, there's also the window glass trick.

Choose a window you never look out from.
Clean it thoroughly making sure there aren't any impurities left on it. Any speck that sticks out or any scratch will damage the print.
Take the wet print and squeegee it emulsion side to the glass. Make sure there aren't any air bubbles while you do that. Just don't pull on the print as the emulsion will stay on the glass.

Leave it there to dry.
Once the emulsion dries (it could take a while), the print will peel off the window by itself and fall to the ground.

That's how they glazed prints in the early days.
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

LT

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Re: HELP! How do I make my prints flat?
« Reply #11 on: August 07, 2012, 03:18:41 PM »
Thanks, Leon!
I have some at home but they are somehow way to elastic, will look around for something a bit more firm...
no problem.
L.