Printing 35mm full frame.

[Jim Rice]

I am going to be limited by my processor to 8" print width (RA-4.) So, I guess that I'm looking at 8x12"? I am assuming that this implies roll paper? I am rather fond of my fingers so the paper cutter in the dark gives me pause. I guess what I am asking here is: Do you print on roll paper? If so, how? Do you still possess all your digits? Any tips (no pun intended) would be appreciated.

 

[Jim Rice]

I also lust after a Horizon 202 so we may be talking 8"x20" as well.

 

[markbarendt]

Yep, 8&12 wide.

Have all my digits.

A nice Rotary cutter works wonders.

You need a pattern that you can feel in the dark.

Having a nice paper tray or two is nice too, labled.

 

[Jim Rice]

What sort of paper safe/dispenser? Starting to sound expensive.

 

[Jim Rice]

What I am envisioning here is something that I open, pull the paper from, hit a stop for the length and cut just before placing into the easel. Surely it can't be that easy?

 

[markbarendt]

There are dispensers like that I believe.

 

[markbarendt]

I cut sheets in the darkroom and keep them in the paper safe.

The rolls are kept in the boxes they came in.

 

[Jim Rice]

The ones that I have seen seem to be parts of minilabs. Are these modules light tight or is there a stand alone solution?

I would like to use Kodak paper.

 

[Jim Rice]

As a batch process, Mark? Cut a bunch of sheets at one time?

 

[markbarendt]

Yes 50-100.

 

[Jim Rice]

And straight off the roll packaging? No $300 dispenser? I would assume that you would have a paper cutting night. So just a cutter?

 

[Jim Rice]

Obviously, I have never dealt with roll paper.

 

[Jim Rice]

And I understand that this isn't rocket science but it seems like there could be hidden dangers.

 

[markbarendt]

I built a hanger with some PVC tube and coat hangers above my work area in my darkroom. Set the rotary cutter on the work surface and yeah it takes a while.

 

[Jim Rice]

Cool.

 

[markbarendt]

And I understand that this isn't rocket science but it seems like there could be hidden dangers.

Light.

Take a little time an think it through, use a roll of paper towels as a proxy to practice.

 

[Jim Rice]

Thanks.

 

[MattKing]

This may be easier to do than describe.

Friends of mine cut down a roll of Ilfochrome (24"?). And we shared the purchase of a 30" roll of Ilford Multigrade IV RC, which we have cut down part.

We don't have a 30" cutter, but my friends have a 24" Rotatrim.

They put together a bracket using a broom handle that attaches to the end of a table. On the Table they attached a mat cutter with a built in straight edge, and temporarily attached edges as guides to the paper. In addition, they attached a movable end marker, that clamps to the side guides.

The broom handle goes through the middle of the roll, which turns. The paper rolls of the roll, between the side guides and then under the flip-up straight edge of the mat cutter. The leading edge is pulled through between the side guides until it buts up against the end.

The flip up straight edge is used to guide a Logan cutter for the edge.

The mat cutter is used for the 30" roll. The 24" Rotatrim can be used instead for the 24" roll.

Practice with a cheap roll of wrapping paper first!

 

[Chan Tran]

They used to make the easel which you can load a roll of 8" paper in it. It would motorize advance the paper onto the easel and then cut it off when you're done exposing.

 

[Chan Tran]

Just did a web search and ESECO Speedmaster still makes the same thing.
http://www.eseco-speedmaster.com/easels.html

 

[erikg]

What Chan said. At the lab I worked at we had a number of such easels, which were used under normal enlargers for quantity printing. You print the batch and then feed that whole portion of the roll into the processor. Prints then would be cut up after they were developed and dry. It might take some looking, but I bet you could find a used one cheap from one of the many labs that have shut down their darkrooms. Hopefully not everything related has been trashed.

 

[kb3lms]

I do the same as Mark and cut 50 or so sheets are a time on my rotary cutter. Since I like borderless prints I usually don't worry about the size too much as long as the sheet is "long enough." I then cut the print to size after I am finished processing it. The only real difference in my process is that I unroll, say, 20 feet from the roll and put the rest back in the box just in case lights would get turned on so only that much paper would be spoiled. I don't worry about any waste that much - I just use it for smaller pieces. After cutting the sheets are stored in a paper safe of a light proof bag.

 

[DREW WILEY]

I'm cutting down 40-inch-wide rolls in total darkness using a big Rototrim I specially modified. It's perfectly safe and does a clean job. Guess you could invest in some night-vision goggles if necessary.

 

[Sirius Glass]

10"x15"
12"x18" My favorite
24"x36" For large prints

 

[Ronald Moravec]

cut down 11x14 and you get two test strips. You get 3 from a 16x20 sheet. Make paper stops from mount board and hinge them with tape and flip them up,down, The other way is a permanent stop at say 12 " and then make pieces 2,3, or what you need to get proper location.

There are safe lights for color.

Rotary cutters are very nice, but they tend to have a plastic pressure strip next to the cut. Color paper unprocessed is sensitive to scratches and the plastic will scratch. You will not see them until the print is finished.