Which Hardener When Sizing For Carbon Printing?

[Andrew O'Neill]

Which hardener do you use when gelatin sizing the final support paper when carbon printing? Formaldehyde? Will my darkroom end up smelling like the undertaker's?

 

[Colin Graham]

I use glyoxal, no odor at all. Some have reported yellowing problems with age or flattening the prints in a drymount press, but I haven't. Yet..

 

[Colin Graham]

...forgot to mention that glyoxal might also lull people into a false sense of complacency because it's lack of odor- it may as dangerous as formalin or formaldehyde, I'm not sure. But I treat all chemicals with a great deal of respect, no matter how innocent its appearance.

 

[sanking]

I use Formalin, but always with a fan for ventilation. It is an obnoxious odor, and dangerous, but I have gotten yellowing with glyoxal several times so I avoid it.

Chrome alum was used a lot in the past and it works fine, though not as fast as formalin. But there is little or no odor.

Sandy King

Which hardener do you use when gelatin sizing the final support paper when carbon printing? Formaldehyde? Will my darkroom end up smelling like the undertaker's?

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Thanks guys. I do have Alum Chromate on hand, so I'll try that before tackling formalin.
By the way Sandy, I ordered your book on Carbon & Carbro printing through alternativephotography...If you actually send it to me yourself, can I get you to sign it?

 

[sanking]

Sure, be happy to sign it. But when did you order the book? I don't have any record of the order as of now?

Sandy

Thanks guys. I do have Alum Chromate on hand, so I'll try that before tackling formalin.
By the way Sandy, I ordered your book on Carbon & Carbro printing through alternativephotography...If you actually send it to me yourself, can I get you to sign it?

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Hi Sandy,

I ordered it yesterday...thanks!