Lith developer, replenished or not?

I tried lith print the first time today. Currently I am using the Moersch Easylith as my deverloper. The first few come out really "lith", ie they got great color and texture. As the session went on, it went less and less lithy, ie they come out like normal straight prints, even after I replenish the developer. So the question is, should I replenish or should I not? (or the additives?) If not, should I just use the developer for 3 to 5 print and then just throw it away and use a new batch. I am using MCC 8x10 with about 700mL of 1:20 developer +2stops. I have to add, both the developer and the paper is great stuff.

You're only using 700 ml of developer? I'm not sure, but I think that's why it's exhausting so quickly. I usually print 8x10 or 9.5x12 in 3-4 L of developer and I can get 8-12 good prints out of that (with Moersch Easylith). If it's a long session (over 4 hours) I usually have to replenish around the 7-8 print (removing at least a litre and adding a litre replenished), but it's good to go for a while after that, with much better colours.

If you prefer the colours and effects that you get in the initial prints, then it's probably fine to continue what you are doing. Otherwise, experiment!

Over the course of 5 hours, I actually went through 2 L of the developer. It doesn't exhausted in the sense like normal developer, ie longer develop time, but just came out without much texture nor color, seems like a print done with normal developer.

Larger volumes ofdeveloper equal more stability and repeatability. If you are real careful you canuse the replenished developer for over a month ... I had a gallon that i carefully tended for 2 months with great lith results. It turned a beautiful wine color and remained quite stable until I let it "go". I use the Moersch SE-5 kit.

Even Greater Stability and Repeatability With Smaller Volumes

MVNelson said:

Larger volumes of developer equal more stability
and repeatability.

Click to expand...

Small volumes used one-shot are a further improvement.
Use the least solution volume consistent with ease
of processing; perhaps a quarter liter +/-.

Stability and repeatability are not issues if dilution is
delayed until time of use. Also, a savings in
chemistry may ensue. Dan

I found when I tried to use small quantities, I had surge marks on the prints where the troughs were in the tray. I've had better results using at least a liter for an 8x10.

I've Cesco flat bottom trays. Dan

Whether you prefer one-shot or well used depends very much on the effect you are after. Either is fine for the appropriate purpose. One of the delights of LP is that it is potentially so versatile.
Replenishment must be used with care as the main important 'drivers' of the process move slowly off track in different directions with each print processed (so obviously large volumes minimise this print-to-print change and vice-versa). Simply adding more concentrate or working strenght dev therefore cannot rectify all these factors, only some. Given time it will become unuseable as far as good lith quality is concerned. A different replenisher solution has to be used to accommodate these changes and was used commercially when lith was widely used in graphic arts. Champion, for example, made a special replenisher until recently but I don't think it does now as it is ceasing all lith production in its French plant I am told. I am not sure when/if it stopped making replenisher but it isn't really a necessary product for small output lith printing (as opposed to previous commercial film applications).
Tim

A quick P.S. to this post.
My November lith materials update (including new update on Champion & LD20) should be going out in my newsletter today - it was delayed due to technical (software) problems which I am assurred will be finally fixed today.

I have cut a plexigalss sheets to fit a paterson tray bottoms to deal with the surges issue; it does not help here where we are concerend with little lith volumes. I used it in striaght toning to work around uneven toning.

I just wonder how some agitate. I've used as little
as a quarter liter with 8x10s and had no problems.
Paper is slipped under the developer and given
the usual tipping - tilting. After about a minute
the paper from the rear is lifted over itself
back to front. Every half minute the paper
is turned over it self, back to front, right
to left. The developer is very stirred by
these actions. Flat bottom tray.

I should mention my use of very dilute
one-shot developer. The developer
must be much agitated. Dan