Edwal Super Flat - Fiber Paper Flattener

Melisa Taylor · Jan 24, 2005

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Anyone use this and have opinions on it?

I'm tired of risking my prints by flattening in the mounting press (and that doesn't even flatten all the way).

Just wondering if anyone has used it and if so, what do you think? Any tips?

Alex Hawley · Jan 24, 2005

Never used the stuff. I read somewhere it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Flattening in a dry-mount press should pose no problems. Follow that with a couple days under some heavy books.

Neal · Jan 25, 2005

Dear Melisa,

I have made direct comparisons with and without it on several different papers and have only found a slight improvement when using a film dryer (roughly equal to putting it through the dryer a second time). Not worth the effort.

Neal Wydra

rogueish · Jan 25, 2005

I 've read somewhere that if used first, toning will be blotchy or badly stained, if it works at all. Have also been told by 2 teachers (in 2 different colleges) that it's not really worth the time or money. You'll only end up putting it into a press anyway.

Flotsam · Jan 25, 2005

I tried a print flattening solution many years ago. I remember being flatly unimpressed.

When I use a press, the prints come out with a relaxed curl that eventually disappears if stored flat with a little weight.

Melisa Taylor · Jan 25, 2005

Ok. I will stick with the routine I've been doing then. Thanks everyone for your input!

veriwide · Jan 25, 2005

I just dry emulsion down on CLEAN screens, and they're 95% flat.

Edwardv · Jan 26, 2005

I don't think we will ever get all our prints flat but only come close.

I have used Edwal Super Flat over the years without encountering any problems. Follow the directions and adjust accordingly. You may want to run some test to determine which dilution gives the best results. I prefer to use blotter paper, purchased from Light Impressions. I place my prints on every second blotter paper in stacks of six. I let my prints barely dry damp and remove to screens to complete drying. To reach barely dry damp prints may take 4-8 hours pending on how warm the room is.

Good Luck

dancqu · Jan 26, 2005

If TLC for those fine prints is your concern you should consider
the blotter stack method. I use ventilation class corrugated board
in conjunction with hydrophobic separator sheets. The "hydrophobic"
is an innovation on my part; improving on an age old method.

I've a source for the board if you're interested. The hydrophobic
can be picked up at any fabric shop. Dan

Edwal Super Flat - Fiber Paper Flattener

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