fixing out FB and RC paper for Carbon tissue

[Pasto]

My experiments so far with Carbon have been with Yupo paper (both as tissue and as final support). I'd like to use my photo paper as the final support and wonder about fixing. Sandy King suggests a hardening fixer for 4-5 minutes followed by a 5 minute wash. Why a hardening fixer? Will my regular fixer (I use clearfix neutral) do the same job....

Thanks.

 

[Pasto]

I apologize regarding the title, It should read "for carbon printing." The paper to be fixed will be used as the final support.

 

[pschwart]

I use both hardening (acid) and non-hardening (alkaline) fixers and see no problems with either.

 

[Vaughn]

I have used Kodak Rapid Fixer, with (in various amounts) and without the hardener added. All with FB photo paper. Lke Pschwart, I have not noticed any difference.

I fix the paper as I would if printing on it and processing for archival properties -- two fix baths, rince, HCA and a good wash. I went without the hardener in the end because the paper supposively washes easier/faster without it.

RC paper could be fixed in film-strength fixer for a minute (or two one-minute baths if a little paranoid), then a five minute wash, then used for transfer.

Fixing out photopaper exhausts fixer earlier than developed images, so keep an eye on the fixer.

 

[pschwart]

I go easy on the wash, especially as we are in the 4th year of a drought. No HCA when using an alkaline fixer, and the supports are going to get plenty of washing when they are developed and cleared. I use inkjet RC for tissue, and that requires no fixing so it's even more cost effective and environmentally sound.

 

[Vaughn]

Good point about wash times.

Can you re-use the inkjet RC paper for more tissues? I liked using fixed-out litho film (or even better -- sheets of exposed/developed litho film the students would throw away). I found the thickness and stiffness easy to work with (.004" thick) and I could re-use a piece 20+ times. I would think the inkjet paper would have a similar thickness and ease of use (though maybe not quite as stiff) as the litho film.

 

[pschwart]

You can reuse the 10 mil inkjet paper. I often do when using it for final supports for proofing. I pour larger tissues and cut them to size for printing, so these don't get reused.