Flattening fb prints.

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brianwar

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So I've started using fibre based paper (through neccesity rather than choice, the Harman RC direct positive paper seems to not be available anywhere) and I ned to flatten my prints.

I don't have a dry mount press and don't really want to shell out for one.

I do however have a plethora of heavy things and things that get hot so I'm thinking a diy/bodge solution must be possible.

Anyone got one on the go already?
 
I gave up with FB darkroom prints as I could never get rid I the curl. Jut scanned and printed them on inkjet FB paper instead lol.
 
The curl was the reason I abandoned FB paper and started using just RC darkroom paper but I think there's a problem with the RC direct positive paper.

I'm going to experiment with ironing them. Also might try hair straighteners!
 
How are you drying them? Hanging or lying flat?

What I've done (and it works!) is get a few sheets of scrap FB paper and wash it with the actual prints every time. I put the prints face down on a rack with the wet scrap on top to hold them flat and leave them to dry as normal. The top one curls, bottom one does not. You still get a little, of course, but only a centimetre or two at most.

It will work if you're hanging them too, I imagine. Just clip two prints back to back :thumbs:
 
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I have a peterson rack for drying, one of these

PAPDR.JPG


But I don't think it's the best thing really.

I haven't much room to make/install a rack with screens.

Do the two sheets not stick together when you dry them one on top of tother?
 
They stick together at first, yes. That's the whole point of it. They come loose as they dry, and so don't start to curl until a lot later on in the drying process. I imagine you could do it with that rack thing, just slot them in back to back. I don't know, I've never used one, but it's definitely worth a try :thumbs:
 
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