Glycerin/Print Flattening Solution

kmphoto · Aug 4, 2018

Years ago, I remember buying "Kodak Print Flattening Solution".
It was made for use on fiber base paper & helped to ferrotype also.

Some time a go, I ran this formula by (photo engineer).
He said, he saw no problem in using it.

I use 2 oz of glycerin to 30 oz of water for 3-5 minutes.
Air dry the prints & flatten in a dry mount press between light weight bristol board.
Then place in a archival print sleeve & stack something heavy on top of them.
The glycerin makes the paper fibers more flexible.

I would guess?
You could increase the glycerin.

GRHazelton · Aug 4, 2018

My Father and I did the same thing many years ago. Worked fine, seemed to have no effect on print life.

RalphLambrecht · Aug 4, 2018

kmphoto said:
Years ago, I remember buying "Kodak Print Flattening Solution".
It was made for use on fiber base paper & helped to ferrotype also.

Some time a go, I ran this formula by (photo engineer).
He said, he saw no problem in using it.

I use 2 oz of glycerin to 30 oz of water for 3-5 minutes.
Air dry the prints & flatten in a dry mount press between light weight bristol board.
Then place in a archival print sleeve & stack something heavy on top of them.
The glycerin makes the paper fibers more flexible.

I would guess?
You could increase the glycerin.

if you flatten n a dry-mount press anyway, then there is no need for a solution.the dry-mount press alone will do it.

john_s · Aug 6, 2018

RalphLambrecht said:
if you flatten n a dry-mount press anyway, then there is no need for a solution.the dry-mount press alone will do it.

Sometimes a print will still be affected by changes in humidity causing it to curl. Maybe I need more experience in judging the time under the press. Emulsion side towards or away from the heating platen?

However, I'd be a bit concerned that if the glycerine causes moisture to be retained in the print (preventing the curl) it might facilitate chemical reactions leading to print damage/fading or the like.

Martin Rickards · Aug 6, 2018

john_s said:
Sometimes a print will still be affected by changes in humidity causing it to curl. Maybe I need more experience in judging the time under the press. Emulsion side towards or away from the heating platen?

However, I'd be a bit concerned that if the glycerine causes moisture to be retained in the print (preventing the curl) it might facilitate chemical reactions leading to print damage/fading or the like.

Even the newest unopened paper in your collection contains moisture.

john_s · Aug 10, 2018

Martin Rickards said:
Even the newest unopened paper in your collection contains moisture.

Of course. If it didn't, it soon would. Curling is caused by (I think) changes in moisture content of the paper base compared to that of the emulsion. If the drying is done perfectly, and the storage/display conditions match the print in moisture content, there would be no curling. Most of the time there is curling though. If the drying is done just right, surely the curling will be minimal.

AgX · Aug 10, 2018

GRHazelton said:
My Father and I did the same thing many years ago. Worked fine, seemed to have no effect on print life.

Glycerine is hygroscopic and thus is not benefitial to longevity. In theory...

mshchem · Dec 26, 2018

If you look up tye MSDS for Kodak Print Flattening Solution, it's 99% ethylene glycol with less than 1% formaldehyde. Use was 1 part concentrate with 10 parts water, instructions allowed further dilution to 1 + 20 for use in humid environments. Claims made was the print was more durable and flexible, and that it gave the print a more supple feel.
It probably would work great, if the formalin didn't do you in. Kodak recommended this with Ektacolor professional fiber base color paper at the 1 + 10 dilution.

Louis Nargi · Dec 26, 2018

john_s said:
Sometimes a print will still be affected by changes in humidity causing it to curl. Maybe I need more experience in judging the time under the press. Emulsion side towards or away from the heating platen?

However, I'd be a bit concerned that if the glycerine causes moisture to be retained in the print (preventing the curl) it might facilitate chemical reactions leading to print damage/fading or the like.

If you put 2 acid free mount broads in your press, place the print between them set the temp. around 180 degrees emulsion side up for three minutes, they will come out flat.

kreeger · Dec 26, 2018

Louis Nargi said:
If you put 2 acid free mount broads in your press, place the print between them set the temp. around 180 degrees emulsion side up for three minutes, they will come out flat.

+1

Saganich · Dec 27, 2018

Glycerin/Print Flattening Solution

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