Brown Edges on FB Print

Christine Lee Smith · May 20, 2020

Hi All, I’m getting some brown edging on large fiber prints. Here’s what I’m using:

Ilford MG Developer: 1:9 (3 min)
arista Stop: 1:31 (30 sec)
Arista fixer 1:4 (5 min)

paper is ilford art 300 at 20x24

brown on edges is pretty consistent all the way around. I thoroughly rinsed the trays before starting a second batch and the problem was still present. Currently I’m the only one in the darkroom. And chemicals were all mixed fresh.
Thoughts?

Valerie · May 20, 2020

Is this old paper? I've had similar issues with old or badly stored paper.

MattKing · May 20, 2020

Harman/Ilford have a contact form on their website you can use to reach out to them.
They also participate here - Start a Conversation with Harman Tech Service.
That paper can be challenging due to its tendency to float on the surface - is there any chance that those areas weren't well immersed in the fixer?

Christine Lee Smith · May 20, 2020

Valerie said:
Is this old paper? I've had similar issues with old or badly stored paper.

Hi Valerie. It's at least a few months old to me - but the box was never opened. So unless it was expired from Ilford or the vendor, no.

Christine Lee Smith · May 20, 2020

MattKing said:
Harman/Ilford have a contact form on their website you can use to reach out to them.
They also participate here - Start a Conversation with Harman Tech Service.
That paper can be challenging due to its tendency to float on the surface - is there any chance that those areas weren't well immersed in the fixer?

Thanks Matt. That's possible. I'm working in an extra dark darkroom because the "safelights" were impacting the exposure (I'm printing on the wall). I do a pretty good agitation in the fix, and lay the print face down to help with consistency. But I suppose it's still possible. I'll reach out to the tech.

thefizz · May 31, 2020

Probably not relevant to your problem but a 5 minute fix time at 1:4 is very excessive.

jimjm · May 31, 2020

I agree that 5 mins seems excessive for fixing time, but I've never used Arista so I can't speak from experience. Also, many fixers are supposed to be diluted 1:9 for paper and 1:4 for film, at least this is the case for Arista liquid fixers.

Vaughn · May 31, 2020

It is possible with that thick paper, the edges are allowing a lot of chemical to enter the paper and might take longer to wash out. If a shorter fixer time works, that might help. A wash aid and a good wash, too.

Bob Carnie · May 31, 2020

I have had flacking issues with ART 300 in the past , this may be old paper and I would not be surprised with issues.

Bob Carnie · May 31, 2020

I have some in my darkroom... 20 x 24 which is two years old and I am thinking I will have issues with this .

kreeger · May 31, 2020

Christine Lee Smith said:
Hi All, I’m getting some brown edging on large fiber prints. Here’s what I’m using:

Ilford MG Developer: 1:9 (3 min)
arista Stop: 1:31 (30 sec)
Arista fixer 1:4 (5 min)

paper is ilford art 300 at 20x24

brown on edges is pretty consistent all the way around. I thoroughly rinsed the trays before starting a second batch and the problem was still present. Currently I’m the only one in the darkroom. And chemicals were all mixed fresh.
Thoughts?

Christine, I have seen that effect before. So... at what point in your processing workflow do the spots appear?

Brown Edges on FB Print

Christine Lee Smith

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