What is your reason for using fiber based paper instead of RC?

michaelbsc · Nov 4, 2008

My reason is pretty simple. My wife likes to hand color prints, and she likes the way the fiber paper responds better with the pigments. I can print them any way I want, so long as it's what she likes.

MB

Ken N · Nov 4, 2008

"Pearl falls into the Fine Lustre family, it is also great to inkjet print those other kind of photos......"

Which brings up an important point. If I'm mixing and matching color with B&W, I choose to use the same type of paper and surface. So, that means Ilford RC Pearl. But for one-off art-prints, fiber is king.

Paul Verizzo · Nov 4, 2008

michaelbsc said:
My reason is pretty simple. My wife likes to hand color prints, and she likes the way the fiber paper responds better with the pigments. I can print them any way I want, so long as it's what she likes.

MB

Smart man!

Kycoo · Nov 4, 2008

I like the look of RC except that I find FB easier for my workflow, which is weird. Because I work in a public darkroom, the prints tend to stay on the bath for a while, and fiber can withstand very long wet times. I also find FB much easier to spot. The main thing I hate about FB is I have to go back to the darkroom the following day for flattening using a press mount.

Mark Layne · Nov 4, 2008

MattKing said:
Thanks Mark, I am always happy when people think I'm younger than I am (52) .

I like RC. I've probably printed way more FB than RC over time, but not so much recently.

If I had a permanent darkroom, and a place to handle it properly, I probably would print FB again. I probably will print FB again.

IMHO, you need to try both, and learn a lot about both, before you can decide what you like about each.

And you need to realize that RC is more forgiving, if your darkroom resources are "challenging".

Matt

P.S. FWIW, it is my understanding that there are no developer incorporated RC papers any more, other than those that have trace amounts that are present for purposes other than to permit self-development (PE has posted on the purpose of those trace amounts).

I agree that FB without a darkroom is a challenge. I would have a hard time enjoying printmaking without one
Mark (65)

Argentum107 · Nov 5, 2008

I am new to fiber printing and even though I am having some difficulties drying the paper flat I can easily see that I like the look of FB much better. It's just more impressive to my eye as I think it has a richness in tones and a texture that I couldn't get from RC after a couple of years of printing. Just some thoughts from a newbie.

Steve Roberts · Nov 5, 2008

My thoughts for what (little) they are worth:
1) This old chestnut again!
2) Use what suits you and your immediate purpose - there may be differences, but that's not to say one is invariably better than the other.
3) There's a large element of one-upmanship about using FB paper, not to mention "The King's New Clothes".
4) Archival qualities were certainly an issue in earlier days, but you probably couldn't get a fag paper between them now.
5) Anyone like me who began B/W printing with nothing but FB papers that took ages to wash, dry and then ended up like Curly Wurlys is much more likely to appreciate the many pros of RC paper.
6) What does the "feel" of the paper matter? Visible texture is of course important, but anyone who starts running their sticky paws over my best prints is likely to get short shrift!
7) There's no correct answer, only opinions!

Steve

Steve Smith · Nov 5, 2008

I think there are three types of people being represented here:

1. Those who genuinely prefer fibre based paper and can do great work with it.
2. Those who prefer to use resin coated for the ease of processing but still like the look of the paper.
3. Those who say they prefer fibre because they think that's what they should be saying.

I'm in group 2. I do like fibre paper but I have not had much success with it.

Steve.

dancqu · Nov 5, 2008

Paul Verizzo said:
If RC paper looks "veiled", so does FB.
Both have the emulsions sitting on top
of a substrate.

Not all emulsions are created equal. RC was/is intended
and created for machine processing. When it was marketed
in sheet form for home and commercial use I couldn't say.
I've also noticed a veiling but do not recall which paper.
I've quite on RC; too stiff, inflexible.

Ron might chime in. Perhaps super-coats contribute
to the veiling. Some papers may be free of it. The
light must strike the surface of the paper at just
the right angle to see the veil.

Well now I've done it. I'll have to double check all
my FB papers for veil. Dan

markbarendt · Nov 5, 2008

michaelbsc said:
My reason is pretty simple. My wife likes to hand color prints, and she likes the way the fiber paper responds better with the pigments. I can print them any way I want, so long as it's what she likes.

MB

That's huge. Wife happy and better response to hand coloring.

Mark Layne · Nov 5, 2008

dancqu said:
Not all emulsions are created equal. RC was/is intended
and created for machine processing. When it was marketed
in sheet form for home and commercial use I couldn't say.
I've also noticed a veiling but do not recall which paper.
I've quite on RC; too stiff, inflexible.

Ron might chime in. Perhaps super-coats contribute
to the veiling. Some papers may be free of it. The
light must strike the surface of the paper at just
the right angle to see the veil.

Well now I've done it. I'll have to double check all
my FB papers for veil. Dan

I have never seen veiling on FB paper. I seem to see it on all glossy RC.
I have been told by one I respect that drying in a microwave may often eliminate veiling
Mark

Ken N · Nov 5, 2008

Microwave Drying

Funny you should mention that. I find that microwaved FB Glossy gives me a much deeper DMAX and better shine. Unfortunately, the paper slightly yellows when doing so.

Glossy RC paper, specifically Ilford's Multigrade tends to haze a bit when developed in Ilford Multigrade developer. I've used other developers which give me slightly different tone and reduces this hazy look (and bronzing). Multigrade Pearl, for some odd reason doesn't seem to have the same issues.

JBrunner · Nov 5, 2008

I would never microwave a print, except for drying a test, which I do all the time, but a keeper? No way.

removed account4 · Nov 5, 2008

JBrunner said:
I would never microwave a print, except for drying a test, which I do all the time, but a keeper? No way.

nothing like a blow dryer!

T Hoskinson · Nov 5, 2008

I print my "keeper" prints on Glossy Fiber Paper for 2 reasons:
1. I strongly prefer the look of Glossy Fiber based Paper.
2. I process my fiber based paper prints to archival standards.

Vitoret · Sep 29, 2015

I'm quite new to darkroom printing and in my very little experience i've tried Ilford FB Matte surface and Ilford MG RC Pearl..

While i really love the tactile feel of FB paper i tried, the RC paper is showing somehow deeper blacks and presence. It's not easy to explain but i can see it clearly. The image in my fb paper seems blocked inside the paper while with the pearl RC the image seems to stand out of the surface.
It could surely be that one is matte and the other pearl i guess.. but RC Pearl is doing good for me.

Old-N-Feeble · Sep 29, 2015

Seven year old thread.

Sal Santamaura · Sep 29, 2015

Old-N-Feeble said:
Seven year old thread...

Yes, bravo to the poster for building on it rather than starting a new, redundant thread and cluttering up the archive.

removed account4 · Sep 29, 2015

ilford makes an rc paper called portfolio, nice and thick double weight
it is a pleasure to print on.
while this thread is 7 years old
my practices have not changed.
i am nearly done with a couple of 500 sheet boxes of rc that i got years ago
easy to use as paper negatives, and other "stuff", not too thick to tape end to end
and make into a spool of paper negatives for a 122 film camera, great for retina prints and makes beautiful
high wattage exposure ( 300watt bulb ) contact prints with dense negatives.

Old-N-Feeble · Sep 29, 2015

Sal Santamaura said:
Yes, bravo to the poster for building on it rather than starting a new, redundant thread and cluttering up the archive.

My post wasn't intended to be a jab at the poster...hence the smiley face. It's just that we often see very old threads resurrected and if no one notices and changes in technologies and availability of products have occurred then sometimes there's some confusion.

MartinP · Sep 30, 2015

I suggest that Vitoret finds a small pack of FB glossy paper, then his preference might change! A bit of gloss makes a big difference, though matt paper (and toning) is sometimes exactly right -- "it depends"*, as they say.

*Reputedly the correct answer to over 90% of questions in APUG

What is your reason for using fiber based paper instead of RC?

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