Copper toning - finger marks

[bwakel]

I tried copper toning for the first time today and like the results when followed up with some blue toning - but...

I was wearing rubber gloves and moving the prints around in the toner and I've ended up with marks all over the toned areas where the gloves have rubbed on the surface of the print.

Is this specifically a problem with copper toning (I haven't noticed it using sepia or selenium) and is it specifically copper toning and rubber gloves or is this a general problem when wearing rubber gloves?

Thanks for your help.

Barry

 

[catem]

I think copper-toned prints are quite liable to marks, although I've never had such a problem - I always use tongs and handle only the edges of the print. Touching the image area itself isn't a good idea, and can make the toning patchy.

If the 'marks' you mention are like a blooming on the surface, this is a normal part of the copper-toning process and can be removed by carefully wiping with (wet) cotton wool whilst rinsing.

If the print isn't fixed properly, or washed properly, you'll also get marks, I think you do have to be a bit more careful even than with sepia & other toners, but it sounds to me like it's quite likely to be contamination from the gloves, during toning .....

Hope this helps in some way!

Cate

 

[Robert Hall]

One should remember that the toner works on the topographical silver in the print. If the transport has changes in the surface it will affect the toning as well. On should keep ones fingers and anything else from touching the surface of the print during any processing, especially mordant processes.

If one can, one sould use a larger paper surface than the negative to allow for a rebate area, allowing the print to be handled by the edges if it is at all necessary.