Paper Size and Choice

[TPPhotog]

I didn't want to side-track Mortens thread on Fibre so I decided to start this one. Something I have been wondering which is related to the use of FB or RC, is does the size you are going to print make a difference to your choice of using FB or RC and if so why?

 

[modafoto]

I didn't want to side-track Mortens thread on Fibre so I decided to start this one. Something I have been wondering which is related to the use of FB or RC, is does the size you are going to print make a difference to your choice of using FB or RC and if so why?

I print main 5x7 as it is great for my customers in nice black frames for the wall or desktop.
For competitions and portfolios I use 18x24 cm. (a bit smaller than 8x10) and 24x30 cm (approx. 9.5x12). Both framed in 12x16 cardboard. 99% RC so far.

I am making holgaprints 5x5 and 7.5x7.5 inches on fibre (yes, i do a little fibre, but with little success so far) to get that rough paper surface that suits my forest shots. I "paint" the developer on with a brush to get brushstrokes in the pictures. NICE.
I frame them in A4-format thin cardboard and put them a portfolio to make a large forest collection (more on that later).

I have 12x16 fibre paper, but rarely print that large, so I will cut it into 6x8 or 8x12 to work on my fibre techniques later.

 

[ann]

never, always fiber.

type and size may vary will image; however Oriental Seagull grade 3 is my major paper.

 

[Ole]

You're going to think I'm weird, now (no, I take that back: You're going to know I'm weird!)...

I print 5x7", 8x10"/18x24cm and 24x30cm fiber, 24x30cm to 30x40cm RC (plus the postcards). *)

My trays are 24x30cm. "Finished prints" are always 8x10" or 24x30cm, others can be any size. I also have some wonderful old Guillemot 5x7" paper which I use occasionally.

Since my trays are only 24x30cm, I process larger prints by "swoshing" them through the trays, or slopping the chemicals on with the paper on the floor. So that makes it difficult to get even development on FB paper...

 

[Tom Stanworth]

Smaller prints are more likely to be on resin as they are often work prints. Sometimes tho they are right as they are and there is little point in going FB unless I want to sell them. I am warming to paterson warmtone as the paper has a novel surface and seems to have a less placky look than normal RC. I would not dream of a large resin print, as larger prints tend to be framed and deemed of value -so it would have to be fibre. It is a shame RC gloss is often too glossy with too much by way of surface reflections and satin/lustre too lifeless. A finish similar to air dried glossy fibre would be great!

 

[rogueish]

I print small (4x6,5x7)and 8x10 proofs on pearl RC Ilford paper.
8x10 and 11x14 prints are FB usually glossy, the occasional matt.
I watched "Daily Planet" (on Discovery network) and a guy made a courier truck into a camera complete with lens. He used rolled photo paper for negs and processed on the floor of the truck. Talk about ULF, and he doesn't need a tripod.

 

[titrisol]

I use Fiber in 8x10 and 11x14
RC in 11x14, 8x10, 5x7

 

[Kate Mocak]

Proof prints: RC, sizes 10x15 cm, 13x18 cm
'Final' prints: FB, sizes 18x24, 24x30, 30x40 cm

 

[Lee Shively]

I print various image sizes, centered on 8x10 and 11x14 paper. Type of paper doesn't matter.

 

[fhovie]

I used to print a lot of 16x20 and still do some that large. I have also done a fair share of 20x24 but can't do that size in my own darkroom. - I like to look into the print and it is a good test of technical excellence to create a 16x20 - I must say though that my favorite size is 11x14. It causes the viewer to get a little closer and it still has a big impact. I have been making a lot of 8x10 contact prints lately and matted properly, they still have an impact - I almost never print smaller than 8x10 unless it is a 4x5 contact print - I feel that darkroom time is often too precious to spend on smaller prints.

 

[Maine-iac]

You're going to think I'm weird, now (no, I take that back: You're going to know I'm weird!)...

I print 5x7", 8x10"/18x24cm and 24x30cm fiber, 24x30cm to 30x40cm RC (plus the postcards). *)

My trays are 24x30cm. "Finished prints" are always 8x10" or 24x30cm, others can be any size. I also have some wonderful old Guillemot 5x7" paper which I use occasionally.

Since my trays are only 24x30cm, I process larger prints by "swoshing" them through the trays, or slopping the chemicals on with the paper on the floor. So that makes it difficult to get even development on FB paper...

You're not weird, Ole. I'd give anything to be able to get the 24X30 cm (91/2 X 12 inches) paper size here in the U.S. It's standard throughout Europe, and is midway between 8 X10 (often too small for me) and 11 X14 (sometimes bigger than I want). Can't understand why the distributors here don't flog it and create a market for it.

Larry

 

[Les McLean]

I never print on RC, always fibre both graded and VC. Size ranges from 8 x 10 to 20 x 24 but I always leave a fairly wide white border

 

[Tom Duffy]

I find that my darkroom time is limited, why waste the time producing an RC print when it would be much better as a fiber print?

 

[eagleowl]

I only use 8x10 RCVC.
I'm about to acquire a 6x6 Mamiya TLR from a friend,but I'll still be sticking with 8x10(I'll just be making some silhouette stencils for the blank inch either side)!

 

[rbarker]

For me, the size of the print doesn't influence the paper type. I sometimes use RC for initial work/exploratory prints, but print on fiber for anything "worth keeping", regardless of size.

 

[Soeren]

I use RC in 24X30(,5)cm, im still messing up a lot of prints so fibre is not in question right now.
I dont know if I should use 18X24 instead or maybe cut the 24X30 to a 15X24. How do you mount you prints ?
Søren

 

[TPPhotog]

Well a side effect of this thread is I feel a lot better knowing I'm not the only one that prints relatively smaller sizes. The 9.5"x12" is a convenient size and it's amazing it's not available globally.

I tend to print 5"x7" - 8"x10" - 9.5"x12" on either FB or RC, usually depending on what they are for, subject and if they are for myself or others. Although RC 5"x7" or 8"x10" is what I usually give to people as a "thank you", if I really like them I'll give them FB. Another viriable is that depending on the amount of prints I'm going to produce and the size then it can depend on what I can afford at the time.

Getting a full frame 35mm onto an 8"x10" posted by Les on another thread has also come in very handy.

 

[Joe Symchyshyn]

Only fiber for final prints. (most prints are on 8x10 paper)

RC is only used for contact sheets. (8.5 x 11 paper)

joe

 

[modafoto]

I always leave a fairly wide white border

May I ask why you leave a wide white border. I print edge to edge and mount it.

 

[Les McLean]

May I ask why you leave a wide white border. I print edge to edge and mount it.

First for handling in both developer and toners. Second if a print is sold unmounted the white border helps in presentation and again to allow some space for handling while people view them.

 

[modafoto]

First for handling in both developer and toners. Second if a print is sold unmounted the white border helps in presentation and again to allow some space for handling while people view them.

Thanks for the answer. It sounds very wise to have this "Safety Zone". I will try that, too.

Morten

 

[ContaxGman]

I'm also glad to see that so many are printing at 5x7, now my standard size for initial work prints, which are always on RC. Do print at various sizes using both RC and FB depending on how I have envisioned the final print. But never us RC above 8x10 - can't get my 35mm negs blown up that big without a few dust spots and spotting FB is so much easier than RC. In fact, I've never had any luck spotting RC. Also I find that I'm making more 5x7 on FB - used to seem a waste to spend so much wash time on such a small print to me, but I find I really like the aspect ratio and the technical quality, and that most of pictures look just fine at that size.