Vellum

[mlosier]

Anyone out there performed any Historical Photographic Processes on Vellum? Good or Bad results? Thanks!

 

[ann]

Check out Dan Burkholder site, amazing work on vellum

 

[R Shaffer]

I made a few kallitypes on Clearprint Design Vellum. Had a nice black and you could probably do some interesting things with the translucent quality of the vellum.

However, it wrinkled a lot when I coated it, required more careful handling than heavy watercolor paper and the finished print was very wrinkled after drying. If I had a mounting press to flatten it out I might play with it again, but I could not get the wrinkles out to my satisfaction.

Like Ann said, some get really fantastic results. A pad of the paper is inexpensive, so it is easy to give it a try.

 

[Dan Williams]

I have done quite a few Pt/Pd on vellum. None of mine have been larger than 8x10 - The paper is fragile when wet and, even at this size, it is easy to damage. Some brands I have tried are more susceptible than others and are better suited to single tray processing or using some support to transfer from tray to tray.

Dan

 

[mlosier]

Thanks for all the replies!

I've actually done some Pt/Pd prints on Bienfang 360 paper, which I find very nice for certain negatives. I've worked with Bienfang as large as 11"x14" and it's very delicate. However, the reason I asked about vellum specifically, is because I came across Bee paper gateway deluxe vellum and it's much stiffer than regular vellum. I think it might hold up better when wet, and was wondering if anyone knew about it or had tried it out....?

 

[DennyS]

I have no experience with Bee paper deluxe, but I find the Clearprint vellum much easier to handle than Bienfang, and results are similar. I've also read somewhere that recent batches of Bienfang are no longer suited for Pt/Pd.

 

[Kerik]

I've made many pt/pd prints up to 14"x17" and 12"x20" on several different vellums. Clearprint has been my favorite. It comes in a variety of weights, so if you're printing large, the thicker versions can be a little easier to handle. Even the thinner weights have good wet strength - much more than Bienfang for example.

 

[pschwart]

I've made many pt/pd prints up to 14"x17" and 12"x20" on several different vellums. Clearprint has been my favorite. It comes in a variety of weights, so if you're printing large, the thicker versions can be a little easier to handle. Even the thinner weights have good wet strength - much more than Bienfang for example.

Clearprint vellum is also my choice -- it has great wet strength and doesn't buckle during coating.