Using baking parchment as drymount release paper

[Dante Stella]

In a holy rush to get some new prints (Ilford MGIV warmtone DW) flat for mounting for a show, I borrowed a drymount press. But alas - I had none of the necessary silicone release paper - and none could be obtained on a weekend.

What I discovered (through a lucky guess and testing on some prints that didn't make the cut) is that silicone-treated baking parchment works just as well (at about 1/10 the cost). It didn't mess up the gloss finish of the paper, which would have been a huge disaster. So at least one aspect of pressing has become more practical (and cheaper).

In all fairness, though, I should attribute this discovery to the fact that the only place in my house capable of supporting a 16x20 Tecnal press was the kitchen counter above the drawer containing aluminum foil, wax paper and other similar products!

Cheers and happy holidays!
Dante

 

[David Brown]

Thanks, Dante! I'm going to try this out soon ...


Cheers,

David

 

[Josef Guay]

I used parchment paper as the release paper until I ruined some prints. The print had a mottled appearance; some parts had a very high gloss and other parts had a more matt appearance. This problem had never occured since I started using real release paper.

 

[David Brown]

Hmmm ...

 

[lee]

I am of the opinion that the best way to drymount prints is to use 2 pieces of clean matt board with the print and its drymount tissue and mount board sandwitched in between. I have not ever ruined a print using this method.

lee\c

 

[Dante Stella]

Are you talking about the same parchment paper?

Baking parchment not parchment paper per se; it is a smooth-surfaced, silicone treated paper. It doesn't have a texture to it, and it didn't affect glossy paper (3 minutes @350 F). I was using "If you care" brand from Finland - unbleached.

I use matt board on the bottom.

I used parchment paper as the release paper until I ruined some prints. The print had a mottled appearance; some parts had a very high gloss and other parts had a more matt appearance. This problem had never occured since I started using real release paper.

 

[Dante Stella]

flattening only...

This is flattening, not mounting.

I am of the opinion that the best way to drymount prints is to use 2 pieces of clean matt board with the print and its drymount tissue and mount board sandwitched in between. I have not ever ruined a print using this method.

lee\c

 

[lee]

for me I use the same method the print goes in between the two boards and then I close the press. My temp is sat for about 190F. The print stays in the press for about 30 sec and then is cooled in the room face down

lee\c

 

[ron mcelroy]

I've used the same method as Lee for many years. It helps eliminate the small dents that come from trash on the plate.

for me I use the same method the print goes in between the two boards and then I close the press. My temp is sat for about 190F. The print stays in the press for about 30 sec and then is cooled in the room face down

lee\c