Ilford Postcard paper woes!

Hi all,

Having recently signed up with round 38 of the postcard exchange, I thought I'd give Ilford's Portfolio postcard paper a try. It's a lovely heavyweight paper, and prints very well. I've yet to see how it tones, but that's for another thread!

My query is aimed towards anybody else who has used this paper in the past - the printing on the reverse side (address lines, stamp square, etc) is a really faint grey colour in my batch. I was under the impression that the printing would be a strong solid black colour.

This isn't a problem, however it's really difficult to see under safelight conditions - and I mean REALLY difficult. I made quite a few of my postcards with the image the correct way up, then when I turned the postcard over the reverse printing was upside down! I got around this problem by marking on the front of the box which way up the paper is.

Is this just how the paper is usually, or do I have a defective batch?

Thanks for your help guys.

I didn't think it mattered .

I don't usually use the specialized postcard paper, but I have in the past. I don't usually worry about whether the orientations of the front and the back remain consistent. If you had received a few cards from me over several rounds, I'm quite sure you won't find consistency from me.

By the way - it might make sense to post this in the Postcard Exchange sub-forum: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

It is normal - the print on the back is grey and pretty faint. But hey, it is really nice being able to make your own postcards!

Jerevan said:

It is normal - the print on the back is grey and pretty faint. But hey, it is really nice being able to make your own postcards!

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Thanks Jerevan, just glad to know I've not got a dodgy batch.

Hi Johnny,
That used to bug me myself when I first started printing with this paper, but as the others have noted, it's not a problem - I don't even notice which way is up when I receive postcards in the exchange. What if you do vertical images? Does the back matter then? As long as you are not printing on the wrong side of the paper you're doing alright.

mooseontheloose said:

Hi Johnny,
That used to bug me myself when I first started printing with this paper, but as the others have noted, it's not a problem - I don't even notice which way is up when I receive postcards in the exchange. What if you do vertical images? Does the back matter then? As long as you are not printing on the wrong side of the paper you're doing alright.

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To be honest, not thought about vertical composition yet. I'll have to give that some thought!

It is grey but I never found the grey to be so light that I couldn't distinguish between the front for exposure and the back for writing. I must admit I haven't bought any postcard paper for several years. Maybe it is now lighter

At just over £40 per 100 in the U.K. for postcard size paper ( the cheapest I can find) I won't be buying any soon. Mind you I need to be grateful for small mercies as a few years ago it was £44-46 per 100

pentaxuser

I had the problem too. Finally I kept i mind which way the paper is in the package.

Well, they all face the same direction... So take one out, leave the box facing a certain direction, check the card you took out in the light keeping it facing the same direction.

Then you notat the orientation. Go back to the main box and just don't spin the box around, keep it facing the same way and make the rest of the prints. Use a marker with "up" arrows for the next time.

Simple fix.

I'll also chime in and say it is a fairly light grey. It was that way before they discontinued it, and it still is since they re-released it. I wish it was darker as well.

On the whole, the good outweighs the bad, and I think it's a fantastic product. Reminds me that I should buy some more!

Those who are concerned - start a conversation here on APUG with Harman Tech Service about those concerns. They may be able to do something with either the printing on the back, something like a notch code or something in the packaging of the paper that will meet those concerns.

Mine has a very light marking too, but I'm fairly certain the faintness is specifically to mitigate "bleed through" either visually or chemically. In other words it's most likely on purpose...

I think Stone may have a point there, there was a discussion recently about lines on easels. I remember having problems on an easel I had once.

I find that the marking are easiest to see if you can get a reflection of the safelight on the paper. Rather than look directly at the paper hold it at an angle to catch a reflection of the safelight. Once you figure out which way they are stacked you should be good until you get distracted.

I'd also add that postcards can be made very simply. Check your countries postal regulations but generally the card should be at least 4x6 inches. On the back a line should be draw in the middle, address on right side, stamp upper right corner, message on the left side. Paper should be at least double weight.

07 June 2016

This has never been a problem for me. I guess my eyes work well in the dark (maybe it is all the astronomy observing I did when I was young). Also remember that RC paper has a tendency to curl toward the base (paper) side. Many of the suggestions above will help also. Enjoy this paper. It can be a wonderful experience to create your own postcards.

Regards,
Darwin

I think the problem that the OP is having is with the orientation of the writing on the back, not with telling the difference between the emulsion side and the back.