Glue for collage using gelatin silver prints

[logan2z]

As for the paper, I'd lean towards the heavier weight. I would think you want the stiffest substrate possible but the lighter one might be just fine.. You could even use a double weight mat board.

A 300# watercolor paper should work well. Go for hot press if you want a smooth surface.

Thanks, I'll give a 300 lb hot press paper a go.

 

[eli griggs]

Whole wheat starch glue is archival, processed so no nasties will eat on it.

Japanese rice flour is OK too, but lacks the archival quality of w.w.paste.

IMO

 

[Chromium VI]

In restoration classes, I wold use starch glue to re-mount the photos to the original cardboard, and is one of the best adhesives for such procedure. The downside is that it takes 24h to fully dry. Another glue that I used was gelatin glue, it has the advantage that dryes in 20min and very easy to make.
Gelatin (hard powder) - 6g
Water - 90cc
let it swell for a few minutes, then heat in water bath (without exceeding 40ºC), apply slightly warm.
Another good option are dextrin glues, they are similar to starch but they dry faster and are more sticky.

 

[eli griggs]

In restoration classes, I wold use starch glue to re-mount the photos to the original cardboard, and is one of the best adhesives for such procedure. The downside is that it takes 24h to fully dry. Another glue that I used was gelatin glue, it has the advantage that dryes in 20min and very easy to make.
Gelatin (hard powder) - 6g
Water - 90cc
let it swell for a few minutes, then heat in water bath (without exceeding 40ºC), apply slightly warm.
Another good option are dextrin glues, they are similar to starch but they dry faster and are more sticky.

Back several years ago, the only maker of the starch for Japanese starch glue for Hanga printmakers shuttered their doors without warning. A number of printers tried various gelatin for a substitute and many had labor intensive print editions go black with molds.

Research your intended gelatin super carefully or make your own to archival quality,it’ll pay off in the end.

 

[Chromium VI]

Back several years ago, the only maker of the starch for Japanese starch glue for Hanga printmakers shuttered their doors without warning. A number of printers tried various gelatin for a substitute and many had labor intensive print editions go black with molds.

Research your intended gelatin super carefully or make your own to archival quality,it’ll pay off in the end.

Here in Portugal, art stores (specially the ones with restoration materials) will sell both rice and corns starch, and corn starch from the supermarket also works fine for many applications. I've seen the mold on gelatin that has been dried in humid place, it isn't nice. I normally add formaldeide to my gelatin to make it harder (not for glue though) and prevent mold, and I know people who add thymol to prevent fungus.
In the past I also tried agar-agar but didn't like the final result. Dextrin is my next try. I extracted it from corn starch but stored it in a paper box, didn't knew that it was quite hygroscopic and turned into a solid block of British gum, at least I know it is a good glue.

 

[Bill Burk]

Yes! Stikflat Glue is my favorite. Surprised it’s not mentioned in this thread.

I’d use it instead of dry mount. You spread it on about the thickness of a double-stick tape and apply to the board. It’s “repositionable” for small pieces. You have to be “careful” not to go out of bounds, but even if you get a little on the print you can wipe with wet rag.

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[eli griggs]

Archival starch making has you allowing mold/‘growth’ allowed to grow in jars of water with basic starch.

The starch will send up tendrils of microbes growth to the surface of the water, where you can allow it to gather, then remove, so new growth can occure.

Over time, and this does take time, the water/starch will stop growing and the starch can be washed with fresh water, free of any material that a mold needs and feeds on.

I once made my own whole wheat starch out of a five pound sack and it took two months to get it done and purged of bugs for archival use.

Its not a job for casual attitudes, and making the basic starch alone is real work.

Good luck finding the good stuff if you use starch.

Godspeed to all, stay warm,
Eli