Glazed prints. Archival?

cinefane · Mar 17, 2009

I've read that glazed prints are non-archival. Is that true? If so, why?

Lopaka · Mar 17, 2009

If you are talking about the old practice of drying FB glossy prints on a ferrotype to make them shiny, the drying process has no effect on keepability. I have some that are more than 50 years old and still in tip-top shape. Proper fixing and washing is the key. Also, keeping the surfaces used for drying free from contamination from improperly washed prints.

Bob

PHOTOTONE · Mar 17, 2009

The glazing (by itself) is just imparting the mirror-finish surface of the ferrotype sheet to the face of the glossy surface paper. If the ferrotype sheet, or drum is clean, then all you are doing is making the surface of the print mirror shiney.

Martin Aislabie · Mar 18, 2009

Glazing itself has no effect on the print life.

However, if you have seen print glazing drums at community darkrooms or colleges then you would know why.

The linen blanket used to keep the print in contact with the glazing surface is usually a disgusting colour of brown fixer stains - if you have never seen one then think spilled coca cola.

Too many people fail to wash their prints properly and over time some of the fix from each print has accumulated in the linen blanket.

The old fix can then dissolve in the water from your wet print and contaminate your carefully washed master piece.

That’s why glazing is considered non archival by some - too many contaminated prints

If you own our own glazing machine - hot bed or drum - and keep everything very clean then it shouldn't be a problem

Martin

wogster · Mar 18, 2009

Martin Aislabie said:
Glazing itself has no effect on the print life.

However, if you have seen print glazing drums at community darkrooms or colleges then you would know why.

The linen blanket used to keep the print in contact with the glazing surface is usually a disgusting colour of brown fixer stains - if you have never seen one then think spilled coca cola.

Too many people fail to wash their prints properly and over time some of the fix from each print has accumulated in the linen blanket.

The old fix can then dissolve in the water from your wet print and contaminate your carefully washed master piece.

Thats why glazing is considered non archival by some - too many contaminated prints

If you own our own glazing machine - hot bed or drum - and keep everything very clean then it shouldn't be a problem

Martin

To cure this, I wonder if the linen blanket can be removed and laundered, run it through a cycle with soap and bleach (the laundry kind), and then a second time through the machine with out soap (or bleach) should freshen that blanket up nicely. Put it back on the glazing machine wet, and fire up the machine to dry it out to a nice ironed like state.

As for community/collage darkrooms, it might be just as simple, they get a second blanket for the glazer, and once a week or so, they switch the blankets and get the one that was on the machine laundered.....

Martin Aislabie · Mar 19, 2009

wogster said:
To cure this, I wonder if the linen blanket can be removed and laundered, run it through a cycle with soap and bleach (the laundry kind), and then a second time through the machine with out soap (or bleach) should freshen that blanket up nicely. Put it back on the glazing machine wet, and fire up the machine to dry it out to a nice ironed like state.

As for community/collage darkrooms, it might be just as simple, they get a second blanket for the glazer, and once a week or so, they switch the blankets and get the one that was on the machine laundered.....

Your right, it can be done, domestic bleach kills off the accumulated fix and extended washing clears the bleach from the linen blanket

However, in communal groups, it is generally left to the next guy to do it - so it rarely happens

I now have a flat bed glazing machine and both thoroughly wash the film and the linen blanket

Martin

Glazed prints. Archival?

cinefane

Lopaka

PHOTOTONE

Martin Aislabie

wogster

Martin Aislabie

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