Kallitype - How long can I let dry?

MatthewDunn · Aug 28, 2021

Is there any adverse effect to allowing a Kallitype to naturally air dry for an hour or so before exposing? My (likely flawed) understanding of other processes, such as Ziatype, seem to indicate that your image may take on a warmer/brown-er tone when not used immediately. I was wondering whether Kallitypes had similar requirements.

aldus_manutius · Aug 28, 2021

No. Once coated, it should be allowed to dry completely but it doesn’t require exposure immediately. I’ve never done the Ziatype process but my understanding is that moisture content is a determining factor of its appearance. This is much less the case with kallitypes and argyrotypes. Mike Ware does suggest that humidity can be utilized in the argyrotype, but nothing like the Ziatype.

Tel · Aug 29, 2021

+1: In fact, it's important to dry the paper thoroughly. The first time I tried printing Kallitypes, I damaged a negative by pressing it against too-wet paper.

MatthewDunn · Aug 29, 2021

Awesome. Thanks for this. Very helpful.

DMJ · Aug 29, 2021

This is a good question. I checked my books and some say paper should be exposed within a few hours. I always let my paper dry for an hour in a cabinet but I live in a very dry location.
I'm quoting from one of the books: "Apply the emulsion in a darkened room to paper or cloth at 100F by coating with...Printing should be carried out immediately because the sensitized coating will begin to deteriorate within 1 day"

It should be easy to find out with a simple experiment.

Andrew O'Neill · Aug 30, 2021

I let the freshly coated paper sit to air dry for 30 minutes before exposing a negative to it. Have been doing it this way for many years.

Tel · Aug 30, 2021

I judge it by felling the edge of the coated area; I expect it's usually between 30 minutes and 45, depending on the relative humidity. I Like the quote from the book: "Printing should be carried out immediately because the sensitized coating will begin to deteriorate within 1 day". So, anywhere between now and a day later leaves a lot of room for adjustment.

MatthewDunn · Aug 30, 2021

Andrew O'Neill said:
I let the freshly coated paper sit to air dry for 30 minutes before exposing a negative to it. Have been doing it this way for many years.

After trying a few Kallitypes, the half-hour to hour recommendation seems right on for my RH (50-60%, US New England basement). I am not sure if I will go back to trying Ziatypes. I initially bought the kit because, notwithstanding the cost, I thought they might be easier than Kallitypes, but my limited experience thus far has been that dealing with Kallitypes has been easier. I only work with in-camera negatives (not a religious issue, just don't know anything about digital) so ruining a negative to a still wet Ziatype (which has happened) is not something I look forward to. Perhaps, of course, I was just too hasty and Ziatypes have more drying tolerance than I was giving it credit for...

Andrew O'Neill · Aug 30, 2021

MatthewDunn said:
After trying a few Kallitypes, the half-hour to hour recommendation seems right on for my RH (50-60%, US New England basement). I am not sure if I will go back to trying Ziatypes. I initially bought the kit because, notwithstanding the cost, I thought they might be easier than Kallitypes, but my limited experience thus far has been that dealing with Kallitypes has been easier. I only work with in-camera negatives (not a religious issue, just don't know anything about digital) so ruining a negative to a still wet Ziatype (which has happened) is not something I look forward to. Perhaps, of course, I was just too hasty and Ziatypes have more drying tolerance than I was giving it credit for...

I tried Ziatype once, and never again. Too fussy. I find the traditional Kallitype easier to work with. The challenge, however, is consistency from print to print. I find I can be more consistent with sodium citrate developer, followed by gold toning, and sodium acetate developed and dilute selenium toning. Both give a different look.

Tel · Aug 30, 2021

I like working with Kallitypes. They're not too daunting chemistry-wise and I really love the results. And there's something really satisfying about owning the whole process from coating the paper to fixing the print. A really nice balance between artisanal and technical processes.

MatthewDunn · Aug 30, 2021

Tel said:
I like working with Kallitypes. They're not too daunting chemistry-wise and I really love the results. And there's something really satisfying about owning the whole process from coating the paper to fixing the print. A really nice balance between artisanal and technical processes.

100% with you. In short time, I have become super addicted.

tnp651 · Aug 30, 2021

I commonly let my kallitype coatings dry overnight with no problems,

MatthewDunn · Aug 30, 2021

tnp651 said:
I commonly let my kallitype coatings dry overnight with no problems,

Oh, ok, excellent to know! And I would be remiss if I didn't tell you that your excellent YT vids were a large motivating factor in giving these a try!

Kallitype - How long can I let dry?

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