pre process (wash) image stability of cyanotypes

removed account4 · Jun 11, 2014

hi

do any of you siderotype experts know how well an unwashed/processed
cyanotype will stay good for ? i will be going somewhere and i won't have access to
running water ... i will only be able to make exposures ...
will be ruined if i don't wash them right away?
or if i put the exposed sheets in a dark bag and do a little ritual will they be OK until i
get a chance to wash them ..

thanks for your expert help !

john

RalphLambrecht · Jun 11, 2014

interesting question.you gave me an itch to test this one.

bernard_L · Jun 11, 2014

Coated paper degrades overnight (original yellow color starts to turn green).

removed account4 · Jun 11, 2014

hi bernard

i have used paper i coated weeks before
with no issue maybe i have been lucky
i'm not so much asking about pre-exposure "life"
but POST exposure ... because i will not be near a water source, and do not
want to bring water, or wash "free range" seeing i will have no safe place to
dispose of my tailings ..

hermit · Jun 12, 2014

I regularly make up a couple of dozen coated papers and use them over a couple of weeks. Never had any problems either. Never tried what your asking, but will do a couple over the next days and see what happens.

Simon Howers · Jun 12, 2014

If you keep the exposed or unexposed material dry, in the dark and reasonably cool then you should have no problems.
Just don't mix it up! (Not that I'm talking from experience or anything)
Don't forget that cyanotype paper was commercially available, which means it must be relatively bulletproof.
Longevity is often a function of the paper base and it's ph.
For example, I had lots of problems with Fabriano Artistico. Nice paper but I had to treat it with oxalic acid.
I use the Mike Ware formula coating (quite easy to make at home) coated onto Bergger COT-320 paper.
This combination has been trouble free.

Good luck

Simon

removed account4 · Jun 12, 2014

ralph and hermit i look forward to your results too !

Simon Howers said:
If you keep the exposed or unexposed material dry, in the dark and reasonably cool then you should have no problems.
Just don't mix it up! (Not that I'm talking from experience or anything)
Don't forget that cyanotype paper was commercially available, which means it must be relatively bulletproof.
Longevity is often a function of the paper base and it's ph.
For example, I had lots of problems with Fabriano Artistico. Nice paper but I had to treat it with oxalic acid.
I use the Mike Ware formula coating (quite easy to make at home) coated onto Bergger COT-320 paper.
This combination has been trouble free.

Good luck

Simon

thanks!

john

removed account4 · Aug 26, 2014

i ended up not bringing any cyanotype paper with me ...

thanks just the same for your expert advice! maybe the next time i go
to visit family overseas i will just bring stock chemicals with me ( as i did a few years ago )
and just wash them there ... less worry, less hassle, less " what if "

thanks again ..john

pre process (wash) image stability of cyanotypes

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