Slavich Unibrom grade differences for lith printing

I just purchased a pack of 11x14 Unibrom in grade 4 from B&H. I found some nice examples of with prints on this grade. I am wondering if there is a significant difference between the different grades when it comes to lith printing. There are references here and there that one works well but no real comparisons. I planned on using Moersch Lith but only have part A (full bottle I have had a while) and Freestyle is out of just the part B at the moment. I do have Artista Premium Lith and have seen nice examples of this combination so will give it a go. Any other help / recommendations are very welcome.

-It is very hard to spell Lith with auto correct!

When I first started lith printing with Slavich Unibrom I asked the same question and was directed towards grade 3 as being the best. I have not made any comparisons but have used grade 3 (now called "normal") for years and love it. That's not to say that any of the other grades will not be good also, I simply don't know.

Peter

Thanks for the input. I know I read somewhere that gr 4 worked well also. Do you have any experience with the different surfaces - Matte vs. Glossy?

I have only used the Matte surface but have seen the results of others using gloss and they look similar.

I received the paper and had a run at some prints. I really like it but had a problem with the corners turning black. In your experience is this normal for this paper? I am wondering if the paper was exposed? I know I did not expose it but have read that this paper is susceptible to edge issues. Here is an example of what I am talking about. It has done this to some degree on each print.

Looks fogged to me. Are the blades on your easel bent at that corner and not sitting flat?

Are the marks always in the same area?
You've probably ruled this out, but that black mark looks the size and shape of something a contaminated finger or tong might produce.

I am using a saunders 11x14 fixed easel and have never had this problem before? It lays the paper pretty flat. I sometimes have taped it shut in the past. maybe I will try this. I am also using an 11x14 tray for 11x14 paper though it seems roomy. I am not using tongs and use a new pair of nitrile gloves for each print and like to think I handle the paper lightly. My first feeling was the paper had gotten exposed. The The thing that had me confused was that I am pretty sure the corner was different on one of the sheets (not just flipped around by me) which would kind of rule out fogging or exposure on a certain level. It is not really affecting the image if I print this size but want to purchase more and do not like the risk of buying 100 sheets like this. I will contact B&H but am not sure what they will say. If they want me to ship back the remaining of the 25 sheets I will probably just use them. Gotta say other than this I love the paper. I used Arista Premium Lith with 80ml+80ml+2 lire water (could not get the lid of my old brown container) and it was quite pleasant and repeatable.

I have ever had this problem with unibrom. Hope you find out what is causing it.

Try developing a sheet without exposing it under the enlarger, just to categorically know whether it comes from the paper or the process. If the marks are always on the corner(s), chop the sheet in strips and use the middle of the sheet for the normal exposure-tests while just checking the end bits for the problem mark(s).

I think there is way more lot to lot variation than grade to grade.....ever batch is a bit different in lith. The corner is almost certainly fogged. Try a sheet from the bottom of the pack. If it is fogged less, it is probably your fault or there is a pin hole in the package. If the fogging is the same at the bottom, it was probably fogged between cutting and packaging at Slavich. I've managed to fog paper more times than I care to count. I finally got dedicated paper safes for the paper....one for each that I use regularly and one to use "as needed"

Thanks for the info and tips. It is definitely fogged and contacted slavish galaxy and they are replacing it. I was going to just use it but figure that as I am 99.9% sure I have not exposed the paper that they be made aware of this. I am interested to see if I get a pack from the same lot now.

Any tips on toning Slavich lith prints? I love what I am getting as far as tones just from the lith process, but always like to have a little more protection. I tried full selenium but did not care for it. I think I have polytoner and some gold toner that might still be ok?

Koller01 said:

Thanks for the info and tips. It is definitely fogged and contacted slavish galaxy and they are replacing it. I was going to just use it but figure that as I am 99.9% sure I have not exposed the paper that they be made aware of this. I am interested to see if I get a pack from the same lot now.

Any tips on toning Slavich lith prints? I love what I am getting as far as tones just from the lith process, but always like to have a little more protection. I tried full selenium but did not care for it. I think I have polytoner and some gold toner that might still be ok?

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How did it work out? Did you get a new paper?

They replaced the paper for me. The new pack does not have the same edge problem. They were very quick about it. I have been itching to get back in the dark to print some more. hopefully soon