Treating Paper for Platinum / Palladium and other Alternative Photographic Processes

*Solution percentages and links in description:
Certain fine watercolor papers need to be treated or acidified in order to be used with certain handmade photographic processes. By using a mild acid bath, papers that are heavily buffered and not normally conducive to photographic printing can be treated to print beautifully. I like to use an Oxalic Acid bath, but Citric Acid can also be used at the following mixtures.

Video shows a comparison test of an untreated segment versus a treated segment of paper. Links below include sources for chemicals as well as links to other videos. Thank you for watching and I hope this helps!!

I also mentioned briefly in the video about the curl of the paper when dry. The side that curls away is the printing or non-mould side. You can best tell by viewing the paper's watermark if it has one. Right reading side is the printing side. Also, if you look with a loupe or magnifying glad, you will see a fine screen pattern on the non printing side.

***Fotorat was very perceptive in noticing I mistakenly mentioned a 30% solution at one point. It is definitely a 3% as mentioned earlier in the video. For Citric Acid it is 6%

Procedure:
Oxalic Acid - 3% solution or 30 gm to 1000ml of water
or
Citric Acid - 6% solution or 60 gm to 1000ml of water

Source for Oxalic - https://tinyurl.com/s9s8w6v

A Percentage Calculator ids a useful tool for your dilutions. You can fine one here:
http://www.ou.edu/research/electron/bmz5364/calc-percent.html

Place sheets of paper in solution making sure each piece is covered. Let stand with periodic agitation for 10-15 minutes before draining and drying. A short rinse can be done before drying, but is not necessary. Especially if your water is more alkaline... this will only defeat your purpose.

Great article on suitable papers from the one and only Christina Z. Anderson;
https://tinyurl.com/tq2pv2r

Another article from the great Kerik Kouklis on papers;
https://tinyurl.com/s6unkob

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Видео Treating Paper for Platinum / Palladium and other Alternative Photographic Processes канала North Light Photographic Workshops - Bill Schwab