Polaroid Packfilm Emulsion Lift Permanence

[brofkand]

I am working on a project right now, and I am thinking as of now that it will involve emulsion transfers (or lifts) onto fabric. I am unsure if an emulsion transfer (peel after 20 seconds, and place the negative onto the fabric) or an emulsion lift (boil the dry print to lift the emulsion) is the best way to go.

My questions revolve around the Fuji films, since they're all that are available now. Does anyone have experience with doing either of these processes with Fuji films? I've seen videos that prove they are possible, but I am unsure how it differs from the Polaroid 669 process (other than requiring a darkroom in the case of emulsion transfers).

How permanent are the transfers? If I transfer the emulsion and developing agents onto a piece of silk, for example, will it peel away and flake off within a certain period of time? This will be for a sculpture (I don't want to mess with Liquid light; Dektol will stain the fabric, and iron on transfer paper looks terrible), so it won't be washed or dryed. I will do all dye work and embroidery before I do the transfer so the fabric moves as little as possible before I do the emulsion lifts.

I have examples of emulsion lifts onto watercolor paper that have survived for about 3 years now. They are in frames and I bet they'll last as long as any other print. I have never worked with emulsion transfers though, either in 669 or Fuji.

Which way would you recommend going, an emulsion lift or emulsion transfer? And is there any word on permanence; is an overcoat of Mod Podge or some other medium necessary?

Thank you!

 

[himself]

I've tried a few transfers with the fuji and only ever managed to get one image to semi-work.
most just turn out to be a green/brown square on the paper, a common problem. From what I have been able to find out doing the transfer with fuji is almost impossible, it will work, but only under very specific conditions.

there was a discussion over on flickr with all the ins and outs, but from what I remember you have to do it in the dark, on non-acidic paper that has almost no tooth - so that would make it very hard to do it on any fabric I guess.

Your best bet would be to try a lift instead, but the the fuji is a bit more "plasticy" than polaroid, so isn't quite as soft... you may end up with quite a stiff section of material where the image is stuck. They also don't adhere as well as the polaroid emulsions , but this isn't that much of a problem. I usually use a matte acrylic medium to coat mine which dries clear and is very flexible.

I hope that helps

 

[brofkand]

I've tried a few transfers with the fuji and only ever managed to get one image to semi-work.
most just turn out to be a green/brown square on the paper, a common problem. From what I have been able to find out doing the transfer with fuji is almost impossible, it will work, but only under very specific conditions.

there was a discussion over on flickr with all the ins and outs, but from what I remember you have to do it in the dark, on non-acidic paper that has almost no tooth - so that would make it very hard to do it on any fabric I guess.

Your best bet would be to try a lift instead, but the the fuji is a bit more "plasticy" than polaroid, so isn't quite as soft... you may end up with quite a stiff section of material where the image is stuck. They also don't adhere as well as the polaroid emulsions , but this isn't that much of a problem. I usually use a matte acrylic medium to coat mine which dries clear and is very flexible.

I hope that helps

I've tested the emulsion transfers, and for some reason I've been able to do it fairly well. I get good adherence and OK Color. It's definitely not as sharp or as perfect as a normal print, but it comes out OK.

I don't do it in a darkroom, I just go into my bathroom with all the lights out and press it in with a brayer (or a drinking glass).

I am working on silk for this sculpture so the fabric is very smooth. My only major concern is if the image will fade or chip off after a while. Do you have any idea if that is the case?