My apologies if this question has been raised in this forum before, but I was wondering what is the best way to dry Fiber-based prints? My prints are curling as they dry. I don't own a dry mount press, is there any other way to get these prints perfectly flat? Thanks in advance.

-- Paul Klingaman (Paul.Klingaman@seagatesoftware.com), May 24, 1999

Answers

AFTER they dry, stack the prints face to face (and back to back, for every other pair) into a pile and put a big hardcover book or some other good heavy weight on top. Let them stay this way overnight or for a couple of days - that should knock most of the curl out of them.

Back in the pre-RC days, we always did this when prints came off the dryer with a serious curl...

-- Michael Goldfarb (mgoldfar@mobius-inc.com), May 24, 1999.

Try damping the back of each print with a wet paper towel or a clean towel so they go slightly limp. Press under books (12 national geographics is about right for 11x14 prints) between two mat boards. However, I have had print emulsions stick when placed face to face, so I would place then front to back.

I just recently aquired a used dry mount press and life with FB papers is much easier now!

-- Gene Crumpler (nikonguy@emji.net), May 27, 1999.

In response to previous solution to curling problem (using dry mountingh press), I own such a press but don't use it...I'm a bit uncomfortable with the notion of subjecting the fiber based paper to high temperatures...high enough to remove moisture. It seems to make the paper more brittle. I'd rather have a bit of curl than the brittleness.

-- Gary Grenell (gkgphd@cs.com), July 12, 1999.

Why doesn't anyone mention blotting paper as offered by, e.g., Ilford? Actually, this method seems a good one: After having removed the surface water using a squeegee, put one print on two sheets of special blotting paper lying on a plywood board, then two more sheets of blotting paper, then the next print ... On top of the last print, put two sheets of blotting paper and another plywood board plus a few kilograms of weight. Change the blotters after one hour, then after at intervals of a few hours until the prints are dry. It may take some time, but if you are patient (enough changes), your prints will be flat. The blotter by ilford is said to be archivally safe.

-- Thomas Wollstein (wollstein@compuserve.com), July 12, 1999.

Hang prints on a line to dry and press under a heavy book. In dry climates, mist the back of the print with distilled water before pressing.

-- Peter Hughes (leonine@redshift.com), July 12, 1999.

A further comment about using a dry mount press to flatten prints. I don't use a high temperature, I can get prints flat at about 200 F. It is much faster than any other method. I can flatten a 11x14 print in about one minute.

I use low temperature mounting tissue and never set my press above 200 F.

-- Gene Crumpler (nikonguy@worldnet.att.net), July 12, 1999.

After fixing and rinsing the print put the prints in a solution of 30- 50gm/lt glycerine for 30 secs. I always use it for non-glossy surfaces, but will hold for glossy surfaces too. Then lays the prints back on the floor and put a sheet if possible on on top. If not not too much problem, curls a little bid. You will see that the print is more handable. For the curled prints, damp it with the solution.

-- Ibrahim Pamuk (ibrahim@info.com.tr), February 11, 2000.