So given the apparent difficulty of acquiring baryta paper without making a large minimum order, and just out of curiosity, has anyone tried subbing their own? It would add another step to any coating process, but it seems like something one could do in large quantities and it would keep indefinitely.
I'm not sure what would be involved, but barium sulfate (that is what it is, isn't it?) seems readily available and not too costly. It is used to improve whiteness and gloss in paints and in radiology (barium enemas and such). www.conservationresources.com sells it for $40/500g, and I suspect that there may be less expensive sources. Could it be mixed, say, with albumen or gelatin or another sizing before coating, or would it adhere to the paper if it were mixed with water and applied?
I'm not sure what would be involved, but barium sulfate (that is what it is, isn't it?) seems readily available and not too costly. It is used to improve whiteness and gloss in paints and in radiology (barium enemas and such). www.conservationresources.com sells it for $40/500g, and I suspect that there may be less expensive sources. Could it be mixed, say, with albumen or gelatin or another sizing before coating, or would it adhere to the paper if it were mixed with water and applied?