(GUM & CARBON) A "Survey" on Papers, Sizing and Pigments

[Chromium VI]

Well, I searched a bit around the forum for similar threads and haven't found anything.
Today I've gone to the Capital (Lisbon) to spend some money on stuff for alt. processes. I wanted to try some watercolor papers, and acrylic sizing like Andrew O'Neil does for Carbon prints (I use to size my paper with starch or gelatin and formaldehyde).
I ended buying 1 sheet of Fabriano Classic 5 (satin), 1 sheet of Fabriano Studio 300gsm (satin) and a sheet of St. Cumbert's Bockingford (300gsm, Hot press). The varnish I got was a La Pajarita (made in spain), acrylic mat varnish (pretty thick stuff by the way). I'm going to make some experiments...
I know of the lists published by AlternativePhotography.com regarding paper and sizings, but those don't include methods, samples, or notes by their contributors; neither a easy and "close" way to discuss the topic, add new information. There are hundreds of papers out there, hundreds of ways to size. For example: here in Portugal I might be able to get some type of acrylic varnish that some fellow out in USA may never heard of but that's an option that might suit someone else. Pigmets: here my local art store actually stocks St. Petersbourg "White Nights", while this might not be available everywhere, the same way as Black Cat india ink is impossible to find here (I use D. Torrejano), but it's allways good information.
Share your work(process), your hints, your obscure brands and preferences.

 

[koraks]

Is this specific to a particular process, like carbon or gum printing? If so, let's add that to the thread title.

 

[Chromium VI]

No, It's for all processes. Obviously the "pigment" part only apply for pigment based processes (watercolor, gouache, powder brands, etc...). Also for people ask questions to other users if they have experience or suggestions about something or some procedure.

 

[koraks]

Hm okay, but the requirements on sizing depend greatly on the printing process.

Don't let this stop you, but threads without focus generally don't work well.

 

[Chromium VI]

Hm okay, but the requirements on sizing depend greatly on the printing process.

Don't let this stop you, but threads without focus generally don't work well.

I see your point, I'm going to limit this discussion to Gum & Carbon, as those are more of my interest, and other processes like cyanotype already have nice big lists.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

@Chromium VI make sure you dilute the acrylic medium down a bit with water, before applying to paper. If you are using high density foam rollers to apply it, use a bit of pressure at first, then with only the weight of the roller. Keep rolling until there is no more stippling. I do four coats. For papers, I prefer heavy, smooth. Lighter papers tend to distort as the black areas dry, even more so if you're going for a lot of relief.

 

[Chromium VI]

@Chromium VI make sure you dilute the acrylic medium down a bit with water, before applying to paper. If you are using high density foam rollers to apply it, use a bit of pressure at first, then with only the weight of the roller. Keep rolling until there is no more stippling. I do four coats. For papers, I prefer heavy, smooth. Lighter papers tend to distort as the black areas dry, even more so if you're going for a lot of relief.

Thanks for the tips! I will share my results.