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Dry mount press
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I’m looking for a big dry mount press for flattening fibre based prints. Would appreciate any info on one lying idle somewhere as they are crazy money new.
Thanks
Fintan
Fintan,
many framers also would have them, so its one other area to look in. I like the the Hotpress Vaccum Press but I just dont have the space to put it into. I have a Hotpress Jetmounter and its fine but I’d still prefer the vaccum pressthanks Gerry, I hadnt thought of framers. Apart from Buy n Sell where do you reckon they’d offload them?
Fintan,
you could try Sisslings in Dublin (Martin Deacy is most helpful). Also DL Kirkpatrick in Belfast are agents for Hotpress as are Scopas in Kilkenny. Framco are also in Kilkenny. All of these will from time to time have framers who are upgrading and wanting to sell off older stuff or someone getting out of the business and you could be just lucky.Fintan,
I have one but use it for mounting prints. They are very heavy and take up a lot of space, i would not recommend buying one just to flatten fibre prints. Two pieces of MDF with a weight on top will do the job, sandwich the well dried prints between two pieces of acid free board to ensure the prints don’t get damaged by the glues in the MDF.
You may already know this but drying two fibre prints back to back will help keep them flat. I often us a clothes hanger and peg them back to back hanging from it. It works quite well.
A cheaper and lighter option is to get an old flatbed glazing drum and flatten the print facing up. This is generally what is recommended by kentmere and ilford. Make sure the canvas is clean and that the print is fully dried or it will stick to the vanvas or bits from the canvas will stick to your print. Some photographers actually use them to dry the prints. I have seen them advertised in Black & White new.
Hope this is helpful.
PS : Got Tims Lith printing book, some nice images to enjoy.
Hi Fintan
As Gerry suggested Scopas down here in kilkenny will possibly do you the best deal on these,they recently had a show on mounting and framing so i would expect they will have an array of gear there to suit your spec.Talk to Jamie there. I dont want to sound like a add for them but they provide myself with frames and offer great service and att very competitive prices so i like to pass on good recommendations like any customer when i get it.
Good Luck with it
Ben. 8)Thanks for the heads up Gerry and Ben.
Eddie, I currently dry them on a mesh screen, and place them in between two pieces for formica kitchen countertop with weights on them. I’ve tried all the usual methods. Still not as flat as I’d like though.
Hi Fintan,
I put my fibre prints between two pieces of glass (6mm with polished edges for safety) but they still end up with a little curl. This is not a problem as I glue the prints onto the mount board with glue from Light Impressions which is acid free. After placing the print on the glued mount, I place one of the pieces of glass over it with extra books on top and after 5 minutes the print is stuck and dead flat. I then hinge the window matt to the mount with acid free hinging tape (also from Light Impressions). The whole proceedure is quick, easy and costs little.
Peter
Another tip I came across a few years ago, but never tried myself, is to place the wet print face down on a piece of clean glass and the squegee off the excess water off the back of the print and leave it to dry naturally. While wet it will stick to the glass and remain flat and should dry flat. It will probably take a little longer to dry this way. I think part of the benefit of this way of drying comes from the fact that all the drying takes place through the back of the print and this process also helps to keep the print flat as the paper will tend to curl in the opposite direction because one side is drier than the other.
Thanks for all the tips folks. I’m still keen on a press if anyone comes across one.
FintanFintan,
I’ll keep a look out. I would really love to have one here but I just dont have the space…..maybe when the re-organisation here takes place – but I’m not holding my breath. I’ll mention it to the reps as they call and if something comes along I’ll PM you“Stop the press” :D (pun intended)
Don’t buy anything yet Fintan. Ilford have announced that they are currently working on a new manufacturing technique which keeps fibre papers flat. They hope to be using this new process early in 2007.
Peter
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