Cranes Platinotype

[alecmoody]

I just got an order of cranes 90lb cover from photographers formulary with the black specs and contrast/coating issues. The paper base also looks darker than what I had before. Searching online some people say that there is no more good platinotype being made while others say it is an issue of the batch. I am having a hard time finding any information that is more recent. Can someone tell me what is going on with this paper and where I can find a good batch of it?

I really like how smooth the surface of platinotype is. Does anyone know of something similarly sharp and smooth (and heavier than graphics 360)?

 

[dpurdy]

I am like you, wondering. I tested a batch early last year and it was good so I bought a bunch. Then I tested another batch about 6 months ago and it was terrible. I have a friend here who just tested it a couple weeks ago and said the same as you. The PF people said the problem was solved and the guy back east who sells the Westons Parchment said it is a matter of good and bad batches. I wonder if you were to order some from a regular paper supplier and tried the bright white and the ivory as well as the Natural white you might find one that works. If you do, don't tell anyone till you buy all you can afford.

 

[Don12x20]

I just got an order of cranes 90lb cover from photographers formulary with the black specs and contrast/coating issues. The paper base also looks darker than what I had before. Searching online some people say that there is no more good platinotype being made while others say it is an issue of the batch. I am having a hard time finding any information that is more recent. Can someone tell me what is going on with this paper and where I can find a good batch of it?

I really like how smooth the surface of platinotype is. Does anyone know of something similarly sharp and smooth (and heavier than graphics 360)?

Disappointingly, my sample order came plainly marked "Cranes Cover" on the plastic encapsulating the paper in spite of it being advertised as "new" Platinotype. If I'd known this I never would have ordered - Dick Arentz warned me of his impressions of Crane Cover several years ago.

Testing this latest paper with PH pen shows it was not acid at all, unlike the old stock Plainotype.

I am not impressed with this one for Pt/Pd even after Oxallic Acid treatment. In fact, its the worst Pt/Pd paper I've tested to date. It failed in both step tablet and my test image. Dropout in mid-to-dark zones, with a weak max black (the image did not "wash off"). No evidence of spots in this sample. YMMV.

Since I have a small stock of the old (real) Cranes Platinotype, I'll stick with that, or other papers I have found suitable. There isn't anymore old stock available commercially that I am aware of.

 

[dpurdy]

When I talked with the Crane's people they assured me that according to Cranes, there has never been anything other than 90lb cover. The Platinotype name was created after market. I have verified that on a few occasions.

 

[Mark Layne]

When I talked with the Crane's people they assured me that according to Cranes, there has never been anything other than 90lb cover. The Platinotype name was created after market. I have verified that on a few occasions.

This is correct. Platinotype is not a Crane designation. It is simply a smooth surface cover stock.
You might try one of the Neenah Paper Classic Crest Super Smooth Covers. I have no idea how it works for pt/pd however.
Mark

 

[Don12x20]

Dennis - have you tried any of the recent batch from formulary (last 2-3 months that they have restocked)? Are you happy with it?

 

[pateeid]

i also have a same problem. The step test look fine in the first tried but my print come out so grainy and seek like the emotion isnt stick on the paper as well. This is the reason why i stick with Bergger and Arches. They are not super consistence in production but they never let me down

 

[Kerik]

When I talked with the Crane's people they assured me that according to Cranes, there has never been anything other than 90lb cover. The Platinotype name was created after market. I have verified that on a few occasions.

Ditto. The same paper has also been called Cranes Crest Natural White Wove, Cranes Artificial Parchment, Cranes Cover, etc. It's all about marketing.

I have some Rising Bristol 2-ply plate finish that has a similar look to "platinotype", except better. My batch is a few years old, so what's out there now may be different...

 

[pateeid]

Interesting. i never try this Rising Bristol before. Is it produce the similar tone as platinotype?

 

[alecmoody]

That rising bristol paper- what does your print workflow look like when you print with it? Single coat? Rod/Brush? Tween? Acid presoak?

 

[Kerik]

Single coat, brush, NO tween, no prsoak. But again, my batch is several years old, so you'll have to see what's out there now.

 

[Monophoto]

Interesting. i never try this Rising Bristol before. Is it produce the similar tone as platinotype?

The Rising mill closed about two years ago. Some of the former Rising products (including the legendary "Stonehenge") are being made by other companies in other mills, and while they may have the same specifications for their primary intended use (which is NOT Pt/Pd printing), they may appear to be quite different products when used in alternative photography.

One of the frustrations of Pt/Pd printing is finding a reliable supply of suitable paper. Many good papers have either disappeared altogether, or have been changed in some way over the last couple of years, and the recommendations that we had to work with a few months ago are not longer suitable.

The problem isn't all that bad for those of us who work in the medium only occasionally - I have a stock of material that will keep me going for another couple of years at least. The guys who do Pt/Pd exclusively have a greater challenge, and especially those who make their living from the process.

 

[jeffreyg]

Check with Bostick and Sullivan they discontinued Crane's Platinotype at least a year ago and now have a replacement .

 

[bobherbst]

"Platinotype" Black Dot Disease

The Cranes Company name for this paper is Cranes Cover. "Platinotype" is a trade name. The paper has always had some minor issues with black dots but other papers do as well including old stock Stonehenge from 5 years ago. However, something changed in Cranes manufacturing process in the spring of 2006. A new paper batch arrived at Bostick and Sullivan in June 2006 on which the black dots appeared everywhere. I was the lucky one to receive the first shipment from this batch in the middle of teaching a workshop at the Cleveland Institute of Art. At the time, nobody else had reported any problems so Kevin overnighted replacement paper. It had the same problem so I broke into some of my personal stash of old stock to finish the class. From that point on, the paper has exhibited the black dot disease problem and alt process printers are not a large enough market to get the attention of the Cranes Company. If there are only a couple of small dots in a print, they can be etched with a sharp exacto knife and a powerful magnifier. But I don't recommend doing this for a lot of dots. Look for another paper and if you find one you like, buy a whole bunch of it and put it in the drawer. I have old stock of 4-5 different papers that have all changed or been discontinued.

I just got an order of cranes 90lb cover from photographers formulary with the black specs and contrast/coating issues. The paper base also looks darker than what I had before. Searching online some people say that there is no more good platinotype being made while others say it is an issue of the batch. I am having a hard time finding any information that is more recent. Can someone tell me what is going on with this paper and where I can find a good batch of it?

I really like how smooth the surface of platinotype is. Does anyone know of something similarly sharp and smooth (and heavier than graphics 360)?

 

[dpurdy]

At the end of 2007 I tried a batch of Cranes cover from Photographers Formulary and it was very good. Nice smooth paper fiber and no dots so I bought a stack of it. I think other good batches are bound to turn up but the problem is finding them and testing them. Photographers Formulary can't be trusted because they have told me they were sending good paper and sent terrible paper.
Dennis

 

[Jim Noel]

like many people I have a stock of several different old papers, which I'll use until they run out. When I got a small amount of platinotype with black measles I began looking for another new paper. I tried a few sheets of the new Stonehenge and liked it so I bought two cases. after processing the nap is raised a little bit, but other than that I like this paper.

 

[Kerik]

I realize Rising closed. But, Daniel Smith lists this. I don't know if it's old stock or a replacement made under the same name, but it might be worth a try.

 

[dpurdy]

Did anyone ever try the 80lb cranes cover?

 

[rbergeman]

i haven't tried the new rising stonehenge yet (daniel smith has it on sale currently), but from their website image it appears to be an off white rather than a bright white -- can anyone comment on how white stonhenge white is?...... also, has anyone ever tried canson's bright white for pt/pd?