I am about to make my first prints on ilfochrome, using a 5x7 enlarger and a cap40 processor. Does anybody have some simple and effective way of hloding paper flat? I will be using 16x20 and 20x24 and i am planning on making a vacuum easel for large (50") prints, format 6x17cm.

How "curly" is ilfochrome when first removed from the pack? would just a frame made from thick cardboard be ok and no vacuum for the smaller prints, and what suggestions would people have on the construction of my vacuum easel for the larger prints?

Gee i ask lots of questions....!

any help would be great!

PS cheers to the LF BBS!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Phil Brammer (filsta@goconnect.net), August 14, 2001

Answers

Phil, I just stuck half inch squares of double sided poster tape on my easel at the corners and the center. A light touch on the paper holds it flat. Chauncey

-- Chauncey Walden (CLWalden@att.net), August 14, 2001.

Phill --

I just wet the base board a little, which helps tremendously to keep paper flat. Keep a towel nearby to dry your hands after wetting the board and before putting the paper on it. Good luck.

Marcus

-- Marcus Leonard (marcusleonard@yahoo.com), August 15, 2001.

One tip that may help: if Ilfochrome is curling up to much for your easel to handle, increase the humidity in the room. Ilfochrome has a very thick emulsion, so if the air is too dry, it will have a very strong curl towards the emulsion side.

David Carper ILFORD Technical Service

-- David Carper (david.carper@ilford.com), August 15, 2001.