Transporting Unwashed Prints

[Phillip Nondorf]

So I've recently started using a community darkroom in the city since I don't have an enlarger at home. It has been fun getting back into the darkroom after more than a decade of digital and hybrid process only. One area of concern to me however has been with the print washing and drying that is available there. I was placing my prints in the washer and noticed that the water was fully cold (winter in the northeast, it's probably around 12 celcius or colder), and the fact that the print washer is probably being overloaded by everyone trying to get their prints in before the darkroom closes. I've read that prints wash more efficiently in warmer water, thus the concerns. Also the lack of humidity control in the space has my fiber based prints curling up like flowers when I return the next day to pick them up. I know people have asked about transporting and drying prints at home, but I guess my specific question is would it be possible to transport wet prints that have not been fully washed? If I could do the wash at my place, where I have temperature control and filtration on the water, and dry them here so I don't have to run all the way across the borough to pick them up, that would be ideal. Or am I (very likely) being overly finicky with these concerns?

 

[jeffreyg]

Possibly a crazy idea: how about a large enough Tupperware type container with water to hold them until you are home to complete the wash.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

 

[trendland]

So I've recently started using a community darkroom in the city since I don't have an enlarger at home. It has been fun getting back into the darkroom after more than a decade of digital and hybrid process only. One area of concern to me however has been with the print washing and drying that is available there. I was placing my prints in the washer and noticed that the water was fully cold (winter in the northeast, it's probably around 12 celcius or colder), and the fact that the print washer is probably being overloaded by everyone trying to get their prints in before the darkroom closes. I've read that prints wash more efficiently in warmer water, thus the concerns. Also the lack of humidity control in the space has my fiber based prints curling up like flowers when I return the next day to pick them up. I know people have asked about transporting and drying prints at home, but I guess my specific question is would it be possible to transport wet prints that have not been fully washed? If I could do the wash at my place, where I have temperature control and filtration on the water, and dry them here so I don't have to run all the way across the borough to pick them up, that would be ideal. Or am I (very likely) being overly finicky with these concerns?

I would recomand you NOT to transport dryed prints at home - then having extensive 2.wash.
But I can't say wy - just from playing a hunch.
(Sometimes a good way - some times not)
IF you decide to transport your prints in wet condition - you might calculate todays temperatures. ... ?

But indeed jeffreyglasser gave the correct hint. T U P P E R W A R E !

with regards

 

[faberryman]

Blotter book?

 

[bdial]

It's not ideal, but certainly possible, if you can run them through a hypo clear bath at the darkroom, it would be better, I'd think.
Then just transport your damp prints in some sort of waterproof container. In any case, you'll want them to have a good rinse before transporting, so that most of the fix is off them.

The whole process would not be much different than keeping fixed prints in a holding bath then washing them in a batch, which is routine for most darkroom workers.

 

[canuhead]

abs tubes and tight caps. easier to carry on transit. roll the wet prints up and place in tube with water to prevent drying out. u can tape the caps down if you're concerned about leakage.

 

[Phillip Nondorf]

Possibly a crazy idea: how about a large enough Tupperware type container with water to hold them until you are home to complete the wash.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

haha, not sure that I've ever seen a 11x14 inch tupperware

 

[Phillip Nondorf]

It's not ideal, but certainly possible, if you can run them through a hypo clear bath at the darkroom, it would be better, I'd think.
Then just transport your damp prints in some sort of waterproof container. In any case, you'll want them to have a good rinse before transporting, so that most of the fix is off them.

The whole process would not be much different than keeping fixed prints in a holding bath then washing them in a batch, which is routine for most darkroom workers.

Yeah that sounds pretty doable. I normally leave them in the holding bath while I work, and then it's only a 40 minute subway ride between the darkroom and home anyway, so they should stay moist enough I guess. Thanks!

 

[Phillip Nondorf]

abs tubes and tight caps. easier to carry on transit. roll the wet prints up and place in tube with water to prevent drying out. u can tape the caps down if you're concerned about leakage.

Now that is a smart idea. Thanks!

 

[Phillip Nondorf]

I would recomand you NOT to transport dryed prints at home - then having extensive 2.wash.
But I can't say wy - just from playing a hunch.
(Sometimes a good way - some times not)
IF you decide to transport your prints in wet condition - you might calculate todays temperatures. ... ?

But indeed jeffreyglasser gave the correct hint. T U P P E R W A R E !

with regards

Yeah it's brutally cold here, thankfully the subway is heated.

 

[trendland]

Yeah it's brutally cold here, thankfully the subway is heated.

Yeah - so prints should survive. ...

with regards

 

[Craig]

I would give them a quick rinse and then some sort of plastic container should work to bring them home for proper washing. Maybe some of those containers designed for under the bed storage? Have a look at a home place that sells closet organizers and the like.

 

[ic-racer]

Let them sit in the community washer, then take them out, put them in a clean plastic bin and take them home for your own wash. Keep a lid on it or put some water in there too so the top one does not dry. Dry fixer can be insoluble. The idea of using HCA or PermaWash before transport is probably good too. Because if one of the prints were to dry, I think the HCA and or PermaWash is still soluble once you get the print wet again.