Kallitype

Bruce · Apr 5, 2014

What is the archival qualities of a Kallitype print?

Bruce

Mark Fisher · Apr 5, 2014

I am not an expert, but I can tell you what I've read. The Kallitype has very fine silver particles (thus the warm-ish color) and it more prone to degradation, but will still last many years. If toned with gold, Pd or Pt, then it is quite archival. All of this assumes a high quality paper. I haven't done kallitypes in a while, but I always toned with either gold or Pd.

argyrotype · Apr 5, 2014

the prints will outlive you.

davido · Apr 5, 2014

This is from Sandy King's "Making Kallitype Prints":

"The major danger to long-term permanence of a kallitype image is residual ferrous iron, Fe(2+). If left in the paper, even very small quantities of residual ferrous iron will eventually oxidize the silver, and the image will fade. The key to maximum archival quality with kallitype is direct toning in which the image silver is replaced with another noble metal that is resistant to oxidation by residual ferrous iron. The metals commonly used to tone kallitypes are gold, palladium and platinum. A kallitype processed for maximum archival stability, and toned with gold, palladium or platinum, will have great permanence. We could go even further: a kallitype print toned with palladium or platinum is in every way an exact equivalent, both visually and in terms of image permanence, of a Pt/Pd print"

http://unblinkingeye.com/Articles/Kallitype/kallitype.html

Sandy is an authority on Kallitypes, Platinum, Vandyke and Carbon Transfer Printing.

cliveh · Apr 5, 2014

Many historical processes do not have the image permanence of some 20th century chemical images, but thats where digital imaging becomes useful. Your Kallitype may last 100 years or more (many of Talbots and others have), but by scanning it and reprinting as a fine inkjet print you can preserve the image. This is especially useful for faster changing imagery like photogenic drawings, the colour of which can change in about 30 seconds or more after stabilisation, but by keeping them in the dark before scanning you can preserve the moment of visual chemistry as seen before changing colour.

Jim Noel · Apr 5, 2014

I expect my kallitypes to outlast ANY DIGITAL print made t this time!!

Bruce · Apr 6, 2014

Thanks all.

I'll go back and re-read Sandy Kings article again. I just didn't want to make any prints with this process and see them fade on me in a few months.

Bruce

davido · Apr 10, 2014

cliveh said:
Many historical processes do not have the image permanence of some 20th century chemical images, but thats where digital imaging becomes useful. Your Kallitype may last 100 years or more (many of Talbots and others have), but by scanning it and reprinting as a fine inkjet print you can preserve the image. This is especially useful for faster changing imagery like photogenic drawings, the colour of which can change in about 30 seconds or more after stabilisation, but by keeping them in the dark before scanning you can preserve the moment of visual chemistry as seen before changing colour.

A platinum print or a kallitype or vandyke toned in Platinum is going out outlive any inkjet print!

MDR · Apr 11, 2014

A photo genic drawing is as a permanent as any salted paper print if toned correctly. Fixing with salt is not archival but comparing an unfixed print with an inkjet is a bit unfair. A dyed based inkjet has the longevity of a gnat. Pigment based inkjets have yet to prove their longevity, image permanence tests don't tell the whole story.
I also agree with Davido a platinum or gold toned Kallitype will beat any inkjet print in terms of longevity.

Tone your Kallitype and it will last a very long time don't tone it and it won't

cliveh · Apr 11, 2014

MDR said:
I also agree with Davido a platinum or gold toned Kallitype will beat any inkjet print in terms of longevity.

As you and I will not be around to prove this, how can you make this claim?

Kallitype

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