Hello Everyone. I'm about to dump a chunk of cash on a 16x20 print washer and wanted to get your thoughts on which one on the market works best. Thank you in advance.

-- Kevin (kkemner@tateandsnyder.com), November 10, 1999

Answers

Kevin, I just bought a versalab 11x14 print washer....works great and cheaper than most. Check them out at www.versalab.com

-- Don Sparks (Harleyman7@aol.com), November 11, 1999.

The answer from everybody will probably be the same: Mine!

Seriously: The best print washer for you is the one that meets your requirements concerning type of paper, throughput, space requirements, cost, habits, and maybe other factors.

For my own purposes, I am quite happy with my Nova Rapid Washer. This washer was designed for RC prints, but it works well for FB, too. (So Nova says, and it seems to me that they didn't lie.) This thing is fine for me, because it takes only very little space. It takes two maximum-size prints at a time, or four prints at half the max. size. That is not a lot, but it is usually enough for me, as washing times are moderate even with FB prints [using a hypo eliminator for FB] I make most of my test strips and proof prints on RC which is washed in two minutes. Also, I don't think, each and every test print must be washed to archival conditions. My throughput of the time- (and water-)consuming FB paper is therefore reduced.

-- Thomas Wollstein (thomas_wollstein@web.de), November 11, 1999.

I've used the Versalab 11x14 for about a month now. It works great and you couldn't break it if you wanted to!

-- Craig Brown (csbrown@tastybuzz.com), November 12, 1999.

i've had a versalab 11x14 for several months now, and i think it's great. the tank solid plastic, and you probably couldn't damage it if you tried. it holds 28 back-to-back prints at a time. i usually wash overnight, and have had incredibly good results thusfar.

my only recommendation would be this: if you plan on using the washer for prints smaller than 16x20 at any time, you'll need to ask them for some extra print weights when you order. these are plastic rods that lay over the tops of the dividers and keep the prints from floating up while washing. when i wash 8x10s in my 11x14 washer, i have a bit of trouble with them popping up.

-- brad daly (bwdaly@scott.net), December 06, 1999.