Having problems keeping digital negatives flat

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I've been making Ziatype prints for a while now. If I print 8x10 or smaller, my negs lay pretty flat. When I make prints that are 8x13, I get patches that are blurry due to the digital neg having full contact on the paper. The coated paper buckles on area coated with an emulsion. Do I need to use a vacuum frame for making larger prints or is here a method of getting by without one? I use DIY 16x20 printing frame which works OK. Any insight would be great.
 

E. von Hoegh

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Never have used digital negatives, but I contact print under a piece of 5/8" glass cut from a glass tabletop.
 

glbeas

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If you live near Atlanta I have an old vacuum frame for you. As far as the buckling you can try a thin mylar sheet betwwen the neg and paper to isolate it from the moisture in the paper.
 
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If you live near Atlanta I have an old vacuum frame for you. As far as the buckling you can try a thin mylar sheet betwwen the neg and paper to isolate it from the moisture in the paper.
Thank you Gary. That's very nice of you. I'm feeling that Southern hospitality. :smile: But unfortunately, I'm in California. But I will give the mylar trick a try.
Cheers!
Don
 

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Sandy King recommends a vacuum frame for larger than 8x10, but I have had good luck using a 16x20 contact printing frame with an additional piece of glass at the back for up to 10x15. I'm using Hahnemuhle Platinum Rag paper for PtPd.
 
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Sandy King recommends a vacuum frame for larger than 8x10, but I have had good luck using a 16x20 contact printing frame with an additional piece of glass at the back for up to 10x15. I'm using Hahnemuhle Platinum Rag paper for PtPd.
Mr. King's recommendation is a good one. I'm thinking the buckling is possibly related to ambient humidity. Maybe is the difference in moisture content between the coated part of the print and the uncoated parts.
 

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My HPR lies pretty flat after coating. You are not using too much sensitizer and oversaturating the paper are you? I use a total of 3ml (1.5 + 1.5) of solution for a 10x15.
 
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My HPR lies pretty flat after coating. You are not using too much sensitizer and oversaturating the paper are you? I use a total of 3ml (1.5 + 1.5) of solution for a 10x15.
That is a possibility. But since Ziatypes are expensive to produce, I try not to waste the chemistry by not over saturating the paper. I use a glass coating rod. For my 8"x13" prints, I'll use a total 48 drops of all the chemistry. I could try to pare back on the drops.
 

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That is a possibility. But since Ziatypes are expensive to produce, I try not to waste the chemistry by not over saturating the paper. I use a glass coating rod. For my 8"x13" prints, I'll use a total 48 drops of all the chemistry. I could try to pare back on the drops.
I use the equivalent of 56 drops with a brush for 9.25x13.875, so using too much sensitizer isn't the issue. What paper are you using?
 
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I use the equivalent of 56 drops with a brush for 9.25x13.875, so using too much sensitizer isn't the issue. What paper are you using?
I'm using Revere Platinum paper. What paper do you prefer?
 

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I'm using Revere Platinum paper. What paper do you prefer?
I've tried Revere Platinum and liked it. I settled on Hanhnemuhle Platinum Rag because I like it, and can buy it by the 50"x33' roll and cut it to 12x16 with little waste. Gives me a little extra room over the 11x15 single sheets or 22x30 quartered, and saves a little money too.
 
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I've tried Revere Platinum and liked it. I settled on Hanhnemuhle Platinum Rag because I like it, and can buy it by the 50"x33' roll and cut it to 12x16 with little waste. Gives me a little extra room over the 11x15 single sheets or 22x30 quartered, and saves a little money too.

Thanks for the information. I'm sure buying it by the roll offers some savings. Is it the 300 GSM version?
 
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