ziatype, Problem!

[stefano_ber]

hi!
I just started with Ziatype and I have a problem to solve!
I have attached a photo of a detail of a 4x5 print in contact with analogue negative 4x5', where I have as a result little uniformity, few nuances and lots of uneven light spots and another detail instead of a better print and with much better shades!
Can anyone tell me what this problem is due to?
The room where I print has a humidity of 60/65% so it does not require to further humidify the paper. Use The Bergger COT320 and a drop of Sodium Tungstate without anything else, no tween20.
Once coated the paper I leave it to dry naturally for a couple of hours in the same room in the dark

Thanks for any help and sorry for the automatically translated English!

 

[Peter Schrager]

I have had no luck with tunstate myself
Why are letting print self dry? I use a handheld hair dryer. If no one else here can answer the question pm Me as I know someone who can buy is not on this forum. Or go directly to Bostick and Sullivan via email

 

[stefano_ber]

I have had no luck with tunstate myself

thank you Peter for your advice!
Do you mean that you also had problems with the tunstate?
I do not use handheld hair dryer because I think it reduces the humidity of the paper too much. So I prefer to let it dry in the environment with a 65% humidity
what I don't understand is that this graininess happens especially in the areas where there are shades

 

[jeffreyg]

I also recommend Bostick. and Sullivan. I do platinum/palladium on their Crane's paper. Although I live in a high humidity climate my darkroom is air conditioned. I don't know what you are using to coat with. I use a high quality sable brush but have also used a glass puddle pusher. I first lightly brush distilled water where I will be coating the paper and let it air dry until it is very slightly damp (almost dry). I then coat the paper air drying until the sheen is gone and then use a hand held hair dryer drying both the sensitized side and the underside of the paper as well. I have not experienced the grain problem you are having. I don't use tunstate or Tween. It's possible the problem is with your coating technique. My understanding is that the humidified paper absorbs the coating better. I wouldn't want the film emulsion in contact with moist paper.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

http://www.sculptureandphotography.com/

 

[stefano_ber]

I also recommend Bostick. and Sullivan. I do platinum/palladium on their Crane's paper. Although I live in a high humidity climate my darkroom is air conditioned. I don't know what you are using to coat with. I use a high quality sable brush but have also used a glass puddle pusher. I first lightly brush distilled water where I will be coating the paper and let it air dry until it is very slightly damp (almost dry). I then coat the paper air drying until the sheen is gone and then use a hand held hair dryer drying both the sensitized side and the underside of the paper as well. I have not experienced the grain problem you are having. I don't use tunstate or Tween. It's possible the problem is with your coating technique. My understanding is that the humidified paper absorbs the coating better. I wouldn't want the film emulsion in contact with moist paper.

yes! I know the process well and now I'm experimenting trying to understand what the problem is. It could also be the type of paper that needs to absorb moisture better. In fact if I leave the sensitized paper to rest for a day at a humidity of 60/65% I do not have this problem. Only if I use it after about an hour, when the paper is dry, I have this problem! I'll try the Hahnemühle Platinum Rag.

For now, thanks again!

 

[glbeas]

I think you may have your answer. Let the paper rest, looks like its not fully dry in an hour