drying ILFORD FB paper

[gustav[] pEña]

Im using Fiber papers and the sheets are coming out bended. After the sheets dry When I try to straight the sheets they crack. Any advice on how to dry ILFORD FB paper?


gustav[] pEña

 

[Ralf]

I use this paper a little, with no particular problem of "Cracking". How old is the paper??

I just let the paper dry naturally, which does involve a slight curl. Then once it's dry, I flatten the print by placing it under a pile of heavy books (4-5 kg) for at least one full day.

Ironing does not work very well, it tends to reinforce the curl, and wreck the print.

Regards

 

[TPPhotog]

I've never had any problems with Cracking either. I usually air dry mine either on the bathroom tiles, or 2 back to back pegged on a string line. Although there is some curling during drying, like Ralf I leave mine under some heavy books for a couple of days to flatten out.

 

[nikon_sam]

The best and quickest way to dry them would be a Print Dryer. I just got one and started using FB paper again.
I have used a Blotter Book but I find that it takes a while to dry and the prints don't always come out flat unless you place several large college books on them.

 

[phototone]

Im using Fiber papers and the sheets are coming out bended. After the sheets dry When I try to straight the sheets they crack. Any advice on how to dry ILFORD FB paper?


gustav[] pEña

First off...don't put too much hardener in your fixer. I use Kodak Rapid-Fix w/hardener, and I don't put in as much hardner as suggested. After fixing, use a hypo-clearing agent, and don't overwash.

I have always dried on screens, either with gentle heated air blowing over, or just air dry overnight. This will result in some curl. To flatten, you need to put the print briefly into a dry mounting press (without actually drymounting to anything). This will flatten the print out very nicely. Probably 30 sec. in the drymounting press will do it.