Re: Platinotype woes and now papers for pt/pd
Chris,
Cranes Cover was THE paper to print PD/PT on till they buffered it a
lot in the late '80s. Dick Arentz and friends talked Cranes into making
a batch "like they used to" around 1990. Dick still has some, and uses
it only when he needs extra smoothness. I have a small stash too and no
I'm not going to part with it! ;-)
But the Cranes can't be treated in oxalic acid presoak - it removes all
sizing and turn into blotter paper! I believe this applies to the
current products as well. If someone finds it contrary I would love to
know. Which means if it doesn't work well, try humidity control. If
that still doesn't work, you've got nice drawing paper.
Sam
On Sep 3, 2006, at 11:52 AM, Christina Z. Anderson wrote:
Camden and all,
For the record, there were several list members that said a few years
back that Cranes Cover (aka Platinotype) Extra White was not suitable
for pt/pd, and Cranes knew about this issue. I can't remember what
the reasoning behind the listees complaints was at the time because I
was not slugging through trials and tribulations with pt/pd printing.
Google Cranes in the list archive around 1999-2003. Maybe it was
bleeding...if someone has used it recently and it is OK please
respond.
If I am not mistaken, there is Crane's natural white extra white, and
then a buff, correct? Anyway, the NATURAL white is fine. I would be
surprised if B and S would carry a paper that was not suitable for
pt/pd printing so either Cranes fixed the problem, or it isn't the
extra white.
Eric, I told you that my Platine was wrapped by Daniel Smith and I was
wrong--it is in 25 sheet packs wrapped in brown by Arches, itself. I
will look inside and see if I can find batch numbers and if they are
different.
Camden, I am biting the bullet and buying Cot 320. When you waste
days figuring out bleeding issues, spending $5 or $6 on a piece of
paper PALES by comparison :)
However, I personally like Platine and how it handles, which is why I
keep working with it, assuming my practice is at fault and not the
paper...and was able to get some beautiful prints yesterday with all
the list's help on humidity, Everclear, sodium citrate, lucky
underwear...but it is tricky, because if the paper is too damp, the
print tends toward dull gray and so it has to be just right.
I'm tellin' ya, gum is a piece of CAKE compared to this! But when you
get a beautiful print it is well worth it. Makes me really want to go
out and buy a real humidifier for the room--MT will never be above 40%
humidity.
Chris
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