Archival processing after sepia toning

[ParkerSmithPhoto]

What is the archival process after sepia toning? Just give it another good long wash?

I made a few prints that I selenium toned, then washed. They dried a little dull and dark, so I gave them a quick sepia toning and really love how sexy they look. Now, I just want them to last forever, or at least until I die, whichever is longer.

 

[brian steinberger]

Short wash after the toning bath, then hypo-clear for 5 minutes, then into the final wash for an hour. That's it!

 

[brian steinberger]

I should add to determine the ideal final washing time for true "archival processing" residual hypo tests should be done after the final wash.

 

[ParkerSmithPhoto]

You really need hypo-clear after sepia?

 

[brian steinberger]

You really need hypo-clear after sepia?

Yes, use it after every archival toner, except maybe a brown toner, after which a sodium sulfite 'stop bath' is used which is essentially a hypo clear.

 

[tkamiya]

My understanding is that after brown/sepia toner, HCA is NOT required. However, most brown/sepia toner has an instruction to use hardening fixer after treatment because brown/sepia toner tends to swell and soften emulsions. For this reason, it also recommends HCA and full wash.

Personally, I skip this hardening fix after brown/speia toning. Therefore, I don't use HCA but give it 30 min wash.

 

[ParkerSmithPhoto]

I went ahead and gave them a quick fix and hypo-clear just to be sure there was no unconverted silver. They are really pretty!

 

[brian steinberger]

I went ahead and gave them a quick fix and hypo-clear just to be sure there was no unconverted silver. They are really pretty!

Great! Post them in the gallery once dry!

 

[tkamiya]

yeah!

 

[nworth]

HCA is not required after sepia toning, but it helps the washing process. You still have to wash out the sulfur compounds that may attack the paper, and that can take quite a long time without HCA.