New Cyanotype shelf life

[Toffle]

Hi folks;

I have a bottle of Mike Ware's "New Cyanotype" formula that I didn't get to finish last fall. What are the chances of this being usable 8-10 months later? I did coat a couple of sheets and didn't get anything I liked, but I was also trying a new technique with paper negatives so there may have been too much light fall off to make a good image.

If anyone knows the shelf life of this formula, please let me know.

Cheers,

 

[nawagi]

I have used Ware's New Cyanotype 12 months after mixing it without problem. Just watch out for sediment at the bottom of the bottle.

NWG

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

"New Cyanotype" formula ... What are the chances of this being usable 8-10 months later?

Should last a very long time if it was made with chromate - otherwise the stuff grows mold.

Easy enough to find out if it is good - smear some on a scrap of paper. If it is a nice yellow when applied to the paper and turns blue in sunlight, well, what more can you ask of it.

As mentioned, it will likely have precipitated crystals and crud, so it is a good idea to filter it through a couple coffee filters.

It tones nicely, see John Brunner's article.

 

[Toffle]

Thank to you both for your response. I strongly suspect that I simply was not giving my test prints enough exposure. I will filter my solutions to see what comes out..

Thanks again.