Writing on back of paper before development

Alex Benjamin

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 8, 2018
Messages
2,510
Location
Montreal
Format
Multi Format
I want to keep track of my work prints by leaving a small note on the back of the paper (ex. WP#1, WP#2, WP#3, etc.) before I put it in the developer. What's best, and has no chance of interfering with the developer, pencil or pen?
 

Sal Santamaura

Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2005
Messages
7,530
Location
San Clemente, California
Format
Multi Format
I use a standard ball point pen on the base side of all paper types. Then wipe any smudges off before placing on easel and in the developer. Never a problem after doing this for nearly a half century.
 

Don_ih

Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2021
Messages
7,805
Location
Ontario
Format
35mm RF
Nothing will impact the developer, by the way. Pencil is just more likely to disappear.
 

bdial

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 2, 2005
Messages
7,470
Location
North East U.S.
Format
Multi Format
For RC, a fine point Sharpie i.e magic marker, works well for me.
On fiber, I generally use pencil, if I add a note at all.
 

Rick A

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 31, 2009
Messages
9,942
Location
Laurel Highlands
Format
8x10 Format
Alex Benjamin said:
I want to keep track of my work prints by leaving a small note on the back of the paper (ex. WP#1, WP#2, WP#3, etc.) before I put it in the developer. What's best, and has no chance of interfering with the developer, pencil or pen?
Click to expand...

Why would you need to note WP on a print that is obviously a WP? I put notes on the back of prints after processing with exposure info, sharpie works just fine.
 

Bill Burk

Subscriber
Joined
Feb 9, 2010
Messages
9,318
Format
4x5 Format
I can lose track of paper grade when doing test strips so I occasionally write the grade on the back in pencil
 
OP
OP

Alex Benjamin

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 8, 2018
Messages
2,510
Location
Montreal
Format
Multi Format
Thanks for all the info !
 

snusmumriken

Subscriber
Joined
Jul 22, 2021
Messages
2,512
Location
Salisbury, UK
Format
35mm
I use HB pencil on the back of FB paper. Either don’t press hard, or make sure you have a margin to write in. I use 35mm and standard paper sizes (eg 12x16), so there is one wide margin. (Trouble is, I cut it off for dry mounting, and sometimes can’t remember which note goes with which print!)
 
OP
OP

Alex Benjamin

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 8, 2018
Messages
2,510
Location
Montreal
Format
Multi Format
Rick A said:
Why would you need to note WP on a print that is obviously a WP?
Click to expand...

While repetition is the mother of perfection, obviousness is its aunt who lives in the country and whose kindness and gentle manners she can count upon when life gets a bit complicated.
 

Philippe-Georges

Subscriber
Joined
Apr 11, 2005
Messages
2,675
Location
Flanders Fields
Format
Medium Format
On the back of FB paper I use a 4B pencil, which is somewhat softer than de American #0.

It is to note the filtering (variabel contrast) and/or the exposure time, so I can compare the deferent test strips.
I use teststrips of about 6 cm wide and 24cm long when printing my preferred 24x24cm format (from 6x6 negs). These strips are cut of the final print sheet ( 24x30cm: economy).
I always place the different test strip as much as possible on the very same place (the most important area) so to compare them.
 
Last edited:

Steve Goldstein

Subscriber
Joined
Jul 8, 2007
Messages
1,762
Location
Northeastern US
Format
Multi Format
I also use an 8B. It leaves a highly legible mark while requiring almost no pressure. I mark the border are of every print with whatever info is relevant. I also use it to put a copyright notice onto the print before dry-mounting.

These are readily available in art supply stores.
 

pentaxuser

Member
Joined
May 9, 2005
Messages
19,981
Location
Daventry, No
Format
35mm

Unfortunately there seems to be some divergence of opinion on the longevity of an 8B mark that is put on the back of the paper if it is immersed in developer stop and fix as opposed to used after processing

Frankly I can't remember noticing a deterioration but I confess I haven't gone back to look days, weeks or months after marking the paper prior to processing

pentaxuser
 

Steve Goldstein

Subscriber
Joined
Jul 8, 2007
Messages
1,762
Location
Northeastern US
Format
Multi Format
It has never failed in my experience, and I always mark the prints before exposing.

Fixer will remove Sharpie pen from the emulsion side. So will Isopropanol.
 

eli griggs

Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2005
Messages
3,855
Location
NC
Format
Multi Format
Don_ih said:
Nothing will impact the developer, by the way. Pencil is just more likely to disappear.
Click to expand...

Try an indelible pencil, like post and beam and log cabin carpenters use.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP

Alex Benjamin

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 8, 2018
Messages
2,510
Location
Montreal
Format
Multi Format
Got me some 8B pencils. Will try that in my next darkroom session this coming week. Thanks all for you suggestions.
 

Andrew O'Neill

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Jan 16, 2004
Messages
12,029
Location
Coquitlam,BC Canada
Format
Multi Format
snusmumriken said:
Does that make them palimpsests?
Click to expand...

I'll have to roll them all up, stick them in a tube, bury them in a field, hoping they'll be dug up in the distant future, then maybe
 

hiroh

Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2021
Messages
319
Location
Lisbon
Format
Multi Format
Don_ih said:
Nothing will impact the developer, by the way. Pencil is just more likely to disappear.
Click to expand...

It won’t on FB paper. I just tried it today, and it stays the same as it was before development.
 

monst

Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2007
Messages
95
Location
crystal pala
Format
35mm RF
It really is not rocket science, just try what you have got on an off cut or test strip and wash the hell out of it to see which stays on there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…