Digital BW, The Print

Jeff,

Thanks for the informative post.  I'm interested in learning more about any
archival mounting system that might be able to replace my dry mounting of
glossy prints.


> Wet mounting can be done to water resistant materials i.e. pigmented
> inks 

I suppose the polyethylene barrier in "RC" papers might help protect the
image from moisture also.  My target would be these types of paper.  Matte
papers tape hang so easily I don't see any need for more with them.
However, glossy papers -- even coated matte papers that become more glossy
-- just do not look good, in my opinion, if there is any evidence of ripples
or waviness.  So, how to hold them totally flat easily and in an archival
manner is my concern.

> and is a simple as methyl cellulose wallpaper paste

Do you actually use wallpaper paste, or is there a more archival version of
it?  I think I've seen mold grow on wallpaper paste.

>you should counter-mount the board (mounting a plain paper 
>on the back to prevent curl).  

>And if you get your hands on a vacuum press you can wet mount
> with many different adhesives. and have your prints flat as a pancake.

This particularly interests me.  Like many old darkroom workers, I have a
vacuum easel.  Is this similar to the "vacuum press" you are referring to? 

Can a vacuum easel be used to hold a print and some kind of mount board
together and flat as it dries?  I'm not sure how long the vacuum easel is
designed to run and not overheat.  For the vacuum easel, it seems like the
mount board would have to be more porous than what I'm used to.

With barrier papers and this wet mounting, it seems like the water is going
to have trouble evaporating out of the system.

At any rate, I'd love to find a better and archival method to hold glossy
prints totally flat.  Thanks for any suggestions.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com