Investigating Pt/Pd papers

Colin Graham · Apr 19, 2008

FredW said:
Colin, I have not had to do any treatment with the paper for Pt/Pd. I coat and let it air dry for an hour, or alternately blow dry, and let it sit for 10 minutes to re-absorb some humidity from the surrounding air. I am using the B&S Cold Bath developer, and I am getting a very pleasing warm tone with pure palladium.

Thanks Fred, this is very good to know. I've never actually tried not treating it, so you might have saved me a step there. Thanks again.

Dana Sullivan · Apr 19, 2008

I've ordered up some Stonehenge white and it should be here by the end of next week. I will have it in the giant 30x44" sheets, which will make it a very nice paper for larger prints, especially since it's got a good wet strength. It has a predictable lengthwise grain to it, so the surface has a nice even texture to it. We'll offer the monster 30x44" sheet as well as the 22x30" standard sheet.

I'll also trim it down to 11x15" size sheets, for those looking to do smaller prints. Finally, I will be offering the Weston Diploma and the Stonehenge in 8x10" sheets as well.

I'll be adding Arches Platine in 22x30", 30x44" and the usual cut sizes in the next week. Once we've got all the new papers squared away, we'll be offering APUG members another chance to get one of our free paper sample packs. Last time we did that, I sent out over 160 parcels, with 30-40 of them being outside the USA!

I'll make the official announcement soon!

Dana Sullivan · Apr 22, 2008

Tried out the Ruscombe Buxton 160gsm paper today. Talk about a gorgeous paper to work with! It coats exceptionally smoothly and evenly, and the final prints are superb. Very good blacks, with only the slightest hint of solarization. Although there is a slight amount of surface texture, the image is very crisp and clean, and there are none of the emulsion absorbtion issues you see with other papers. I give Dr. Michael Ware high marks for his work in developing this paper. Bravo! (clap, clap)

Overall, I'd rate it right up there with COT-320 in terms of image quality. I'd say it's probably my new 'favorite' paper, but the $14.50 price for a 22x30 sheet is a little frightening. I definitely want to add this to my catalog, as it would make a great 'premium' paper to go along with the 'budget' papers like Stonehenge and Weston Diploma.

Next up: Testing Fabriano Artistico.

clay · Apr 22, 2008

I think Buxton is a pretty good paper too. For me, it prints a lot cooler in tone than platine or COT320, all other things being equal. It definitely has some deep blacks, but I think the shadows seem to block up a bit more than some other papers. This may be an exposure issue though, and maybe it just is slightly faster than those other papers. It also will allow you to make a 100% platinum print that really looks great. Of course, between the $14.50 paper and $1100/oz platinum, screw ups on a pure pt print tend to be sort of disheartening.

If you want an ultra-cheap, ultra available paper for palladium, check out Southworth 100% Rag resume paper from Office Depot. It has a watermark that makes it good only for small prints, but it makes a surprisingly nice palladium print with no additional treatment needed.

Dana Sullivan said:
Tried out the Ruscombe Buxton 160gsm paper today. Talk about a gorgeous paper to work with! It coats exceptionally smoothly and evenly, and the final prints are superb. Very good blacks, with only the slightest hint of solarization. Although there is a slight amount of surface texture, the image is very crisp and clean, and there are none of the emulsion absorbtion issues you see with other papers. I give Dr. Michael Ware high marks for his work in developing this paper. Bravo! (clap, clap)

Overall, I'd rate it right up there with COT-320 in terms of image quality. I'd say it's probably my new 'favorite' paper, but the $14.50 price for a 22x30 sheet is a little frightening. I definitely want to add this to my catalog, as it would make a great 'premium' paper to go along with the 'budget' papers like Stonehenge and Weston Diploma.

Next up: Testing Fabriano Artistico.

Dana Sullivan · Apr 23, 2008

Do you have some $1100 an ounce Platinum? If so, I'll take 1000 ounces right now! I just paid $2070 for an ounce!

clay · Apr 23, 2008

Whoa! I haven't been keeping up with the price. Is it really that high right now? What does 100ml of potassium chloroplatinite cost now at B&S?

Never mind. i just looked. $845. Makes the idea of sloppy borders and generous coating volumes sort of gulp-inducing.

Dana Sullivan said:
Do you have some $1100 an ounce Platinum? If so, I'll take 1000 ounces right now! I just paid $2070 for an ounce!

Jim Noel · Apr 23, 2008

I second the use of Southworth 100% Rag resume paper from Office Depot or Staples. I use it with students. The only problem with beginners is its light weight, but handled carefully it works beautifully for small prints.

eggshell · Apr 25, 2008

Hi Clay & Jim...Is this the paper that you just described?

Southworth® Connoisseur Collection Exceptional 100% Cotton Résumé Paper, 8 1/2" x 11", 24 Lb., Ivory, Pack Of 100

As light weight paper, can I assume it clears easily?

Thanks.

eggshell · Apr 25, 2008

Does the watermark get in the way too often when printing 5 x 7" negs on 8 1/2" x 11" paper? Thanks again.

clay · Apr 26, 2008

I think it will work for 5x7, as long as you don't need it perfectly centered on the paper. It is also a great cyanotype paper.

eggshell said:
Does the watermark get in the way too often when printing 5 x 7" negs on 8 1/2" x 11" paper? Thanks again.

Rick Olson · Apr 26, 2008

Hello Dana,

I'll put my vote in for Ruscombe Mills Buxton paper. Great stuff. Hope you do plan to stock it.

Rick

Dana Sullivan said:
Tried out the Ruscombe Buxton 160gsm paper today. Talk about a gorgeous paper to work with! It coats exceptionally smoothly and evenly, and the final prints are superb. Very good blacks, with only the slightest hint of solarization. Although there is a slight amount of surface texture, the image is very crisp and clean, and there are none of the emulsion absorbtion issues you see with other papers. I give Dr. Michael Ware high marks for his work in developing this paper. Bravo! (clap, clap)

Overall, I'd rate it right up there with COT-320 in terms of image quality. I'd say it's probably my new 'favorite' paper, but the $14.50 price for a 22x30 sheet is a little frightening. I definitely want to add this to my catalog, as it would make a great 'premium' paper to go along with the 'budget' papers like Stonehenge and Weston Diploma.

Next up: Testing Fabriano Artistico.

lotto · Apr 26, 2008

Hi Dana,
I bought the last batch of Simili Japon that you had a couple of years ago; when I heard they were going to quit making it.I bought up all I could find from legion as well. The paper is exquisite in every way,(color -texture-detail-handling, but it must be double coated to sing it's best song. I've tryed everything possible, including tween 20,pre-soaking , diluting with water,, even using excessive amounts on the first pass, and even though I must double coat it, it's still worth the effort. However, my supply is narrowing and I'm not sure if it can be found anywhere.If you can help find it ,and in that case carry it , i'd be much obliged. Please let me know if you have any leads.
Thank you,
davidjohn lotto

Jim Noel · Apr 26, 2008

The watermark on the Southworth paper may et in the way of 5x7 prints on 2 or 3 sheets in a box.

eggshell · Apr 27, 2008

Thanks Clay, Jim. That's good enough for me.

Jim Noel said:
The watermark on the Southworth paper may et in the way of 5x7 prints on 2 or 3 sheets in a box.

wilsonneal · May 17, 2008

Stonehenge Testing

Dana Sullivan said:
I've ordered up some Stonehenge white and it should be here by the end of next week. ...

Dana: Very interested in hearing your report on the new Stonehenge. The old Stonehenge was my favorite paper. I am particularly interested in how easily it clears.

Thank you for testing,
Neal

pschwart · May 17, 2008

RobertP said:
Has anyone tried the warm white?

Yes, tried it, way too warm for my taste. I ended using the paper as a substrate for my carbon tissue.

pschwart · May 18, 2008

Dana Sullivan said:
I've ordered up some Stonehenge white and it should be here by the end of next week. I will have it in the giant 30x44" sheets, which will make it a very nice paper for larger prints, especially since it's got a good wet strength. It has a predictable lengthwise grain to it, so the surface has a nice even texture to it. We'll offer the monster 30x44" sheet as well as the 22x30" standard sheet.

I'll also trim it down to 11x15" size sheets, for those looking to do smaller prints. Finally, I will be offering the Weston Diploma and the Stonehenge in 8x10" sheets as well.

I'll be adding Arches Platine in 22x30", 30x44" and the usual cut sizes in the next week. Once we've got all the new papers squared away, we'll be offering APUG members another chance to get one of our free paper sample packs. Last time we did that, I sent out over 160 parcels, with 30-40 of them being outside the USA!

I'll make the official announcement soon!

I still don't see Platine on the Bostick-sullivan website. I hate the chore of cutting up 22x30 sheets, so I'd like to see 8-1/2x11 or 8x10 packaged with one deckle edge on every sheet. I have seen complaints about inconsistencies in Platine, but I have never had a bad sheet.

Rising Stonehenge white was one of the first papers I used and there is a lot to like: very inexpensive, great wet strength, not too creamy, one side smooth the other with a bit more texture. But ... I find it grainy compared to Platine, with more contrast that has to be tamed with it's own curve.

Other papers that you might want to consider:
Lenox 100 -- fairly warm cream tone, pretty poor wet strength, but very smooth tones. Inexpensive (Daniel Smith)

Rising Bristol single ply plate finish. Inexpensive, sharp! Benefits from flattening in a dry mount press after drying.

There are a bunch of paper that work after an acid soak, but I have never found any extraordinary enough to justify the inconvenience.

sanking · May 18, 2008

clay said:
Whoa! I haven't been keeping up with the price. Is it really that high right now? What does 100ml of potassium chloroplatinite cost now at B&S?

Never mind. i just looked. $845. Makes the idea of sloppy borders and generous coating volumes sort of gulp-inducing.

Wow! About two years ago someone who had to quit printing for health reasons gave me an unopened 250 ml bottle of potassium chloroplatinite, and several smaller 25ml bottle. I knew at the time it was worth some money, but I figured maybe $200, not over $2000! I think he had purchased it ten or more years ago.

Should I be concerned that it will go bad, or is it stable in solution?

Sandy King

RobertP · May 18, 2008

Sandy, from my experience it is pretty stable in solution. I have had some platinum particles revert back to a solid state over time. By warming the solution it goes back into the liquid form. I just zapped it for a couple of seconds in the microwave. A bath of hot water would also do the trick I'm sure. But in solution it should have an indefinite self life. Dana can probably give a much more indepth answer since he is the master alchemist at B&S.

cjuracka · May 23, 2008

Old mill Rising Stonehenge

pschwart said:
Rising Stonehenge white was one of the first papers I used and there is a lot to like: very inexpensive, great wet strength, not too creamy, one side smooth the other with a bit more texture. But ... I find it grainy compared to Platine, with more contrast that has to be tamed with it's own curve.

What specific variety of Stonehenge are you referring to? I've recently started using the vellum finish Rising Stonehenge out of the original mill and I cannot discern any difference in the smoothness on either side as you describe. Another interesting fact with this batch, the label says buffered so I soaked some sheets in a 2% oxalic acid solution and I observed none of the tine bubbles on the surface of the paper that are evidence of the buffering agents being neutralized and releasing carbon dioxide gas. I coated both the treated and untreated paper and there was no difference. This paper coats nicely with no treatment.:confused:

payral · May 27, 2008

Common report, at least in France, about Arches Platine (french product) was that production stopped about a year ago.
After some phone calls I found that's not true. Just Canson doesn't present it anymore. Production is still alive.
Just tell your usual reseller to get in touch with Véronique GOUADER (veronique.gouader@antalis.fr) from Antalis in Paris new representative for that paper.
Hope it will help.

rogein · Jun 5, 2008

One paper, not yet mentioned, for pt/pd is Whatman #140 HP. Get wet strength and dmax with no 'pretreating' required. Hard to find in North America. I had bought mine from the U.K.

Roger...

wilsonneal · Jun 5, 2008

rogein said:
One paper, not yet mentioned, for pt/pd is Whatman #140 HP. Get wet strength and dmax with no 'pretreating' required. Hard to find in North America. I had bought mine from the U.K.

Roger...

According to New York Central, all Whatman's save the Cold Press 140# are discontinued by the mill. Have you ever seen the CP and if so how rough is it?

Neal

Kerik · Jun 5, 2008

Roger, who is your UK source?

deisenlord · Jun 8, 2008

The american distributer of Whatman's has the NOT surface (cold press) in their warehouse http://www.daler-rowney.com/
It's my favorite paper hands down. You need to find an art store who carries daler rowney products and you can have them order it. I used Perl Art. I've also ordered it from the UK
http://www.artsupplies.co.uk/item.php?item_id=2077

The not surface has more texture than Rives but less than say Fabriano Cold Press.

Ike

Investigating Pt/Pd papers

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Investigating Pt/Pd papers

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