Flat FB paper

[emanded]

Can anyone tell me the best way to keep FB prints flat. I've got a translyte dryer but no matter what temp or time I use the edges still ripple - should I just forget this and hang the prints?
Cheers

 

[Gary Holliday]

There are quite a few threads on this already with everyone suggesting their prefered method...try a search. Ilford are working on a totally flat FB paper. Personally I leave them between boards under the mattress. Considering purchasing a large heat press used for t shirt printing...cheap on feebay.

 

[pentaxuser]

Ilford are working on a totally flat FB paper.

Just for info, I spoke to Simon Galley of Ilford about the status on this at the recent Ilford tour and my impression was that flat FB paper may not be imminent. Ilford are still working on it but the problem seems to be that changes to produce flatness may be at the expense of longevity and Ilford quite sensibly will want both flatness and current FB longevity to go hand in hand.

So a sudden breakthrough to combine both may possible but I think it is more than just a few weeks away and for the immediate future anyone contemplating the purchase of FB needs to be prepared to use one of the current flattening methods.

I am confident that Ilford has the expertise and application to "square this circle" and I am confident that flat or more easily flattened FB will be a reality one day but patience may be required on our part.

pentaxuser

 

[Gary Holliday]

Thanks for the info!

 

[dancqu]

Can anyone tell me the best way to keep FB prints flat.
I've got a translyte dryer but no matter what temp or
time I use the edges still ripple - should I just forget
this and hang the prints? Cheers

I had problems with edge ripple using my corrugated
stack drier. The cause is uneven drying due to less
than needed over coverage along those edges. At
least that the case with my dryer which works
at room temperature.

Not familiar with your brand dryer. Is it
a platen type. Dan

 

[Slixtiesix]

I tape my FB prints on a glass plate (old window ),
after they´ve been drying for a few minutes,
using strong double sided tape. Needs a bit of
patience but it works great. Of corse the print
is only taped at the edges, not in the middle
After 24 hours they are as flat as a FB print can be
and I cut them out.
Of course you´re losing some paper at the edges,
one should consider this when printing.
Greetz, Benjamin

 

[msdemanche]

I actually teach my students to use an old dry mount press with 1 ply mattboard between each print. If you set the temp to about 180 or 200f place the print face down and do about three prints at a time, matt board between, you get perfectly flat prints.
I have atctually bought an old press off of ebay for my own prints.

 

[Silverhead]

I actually teach my students to use an old dry mount press with 1 ply mattboard between each print. If you set the temp to about 180 or 200f place the print face down and do about three prints at a time, matt board between, you get perfectly flat prints.
I have atctually bought an old press off of ebay for my own prints.

That is exactly what I do. It's easy and convenient.

 

[jmain]

If you can afford one, get a dry mount press and you will never look back.

 

[Mark_S]

I use an old drum dryer to dry my fb prints - they come out dry and flat.

 

[cdhauber]

Funny how I never had a rippled edge issue with my Kodak Fine Art FB paper. Seems to be an ilford issue.

As per the dry mount...be very careful...as the ripples can then become creases right across your image.

I seem to have a few less problems when flat drying on screen. Image face down. But the ripples still exist less dramatically. Hang drying will curl the prints with the ripples...so an additional problem.

I have just started printing the images with about a half inch white space around all edges.