lith print question

maryannephoto@aol.co · Feb 22, 2012

Just got a new package of Arista FB paper that lithed beautifully last time and have done 3 prints which would be good if they didn't have a weird light circle surrounded by a dark o. the print almost looks like it has montone polka dots! Any ideas? is it the box of paper...it is a different batch #. Thanks for any help!

padraigm · Feb 22, 2012

I am relatively new to lith and from my limited experience I have seen similar in some of my prints and it probably has a lot to do with the developer you mixed up and agitation during development. Make a fresh batch of developer and try again.

Robert Hall · Feb 22, 2012

Or try a different paper.

An image of what you describe would go a very long way to helping you solve the problem.

Thomas Bertilsson · Feb 22, 2012

maryannephoto@aol.co said:
Just got a new package of Arista FB paper that lithed beautifully last time and have done 3 prints which would be good if they didn't have a weird light circle surrounded by a dark o. the print almost looks like it has montone polka dots! Any ideas? is it the box of paper...it is a different batch #. Thanks for any help!

If you're printing from the same box of paper, please post a picture of what you're trying to describe.

Mark Fisher · Feb 22, 2012

Just a wild guess.....are you agitating face down in a tray with dimples. Those sound like either flow marks or a paper problem....leaning toward the flow issues. Posting would help. The arista.edu paper is a pretty vigorous (hard to control) so any inattention to the method of agitation can make a difference (good or bad)

Stan160 · Feb 23, 2012

I find developing in a tray one size bigger than the paper avoids almost all inconsistencies in development. Downside is you need more chemistry to fill it to a suitable depth - but it's a false economy to fill too shallow; you'll probably just end up with more wasted prints if you skimp.

Ian

joenail · Feb 23, 2012

I'd imagine it's something to do with your dev temperature and/or if you're developing with the prints face down. Get Tim Rudman's book, it helps!

An Le-qun · Feb 24, 2012

The latest box of Arista that I got lithed, but in very problematic ways. Very gritty, even hairy. I have stopped using Arista for lith, even though boxes from not too long ago worked beautifully. I am still using the same chemicals (Ultrafine, which I can't recommend highly enough--price increased, still the cheapest and best, in my estimation).

lith print question

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