WHAT IS FERROTYPING

by Ted Peterson
The name ferrotyping comes from smooth ferrotype tins used in the print-glazing process. Nowadays this process can mean the print-glazing process with chromium plated steel tins, plastic, glass or any other smooth hard surface.
All old photographic papers had a special glossy emulsion and by pressing into firm contact with a smooth surface when drying, the fibers of the gelatin became compressed and formed a smooth glossy print surface. In the old days glossy print was what most people wanted. This has changed over time. Newspapers no longer want glossy prints. The surface of the plates have to be smooth and free from defects.
All new ferrotype plates (from tins to glass) have to be cleaned each time that you use them. Items in the air can fall on the plates and when you squeegee the print down on the tins a mark will show. You can buy ferrotype plate polish and if you are using plastic or glass you need to use warm water with a lot of soap to make the surface clear. When you buy glass you should rub the surface with a dilute ammonia solution as this will take off the surface material that is on all new glass.
All plates will pick up some of the gelatin from the paper and therefore you have to clean the tins after each use.
After you have placed the wet print face down on the tin and squeegeed the print flat leave it until the print is dry to the touch. Most of the time it will pop off. DONOT pull it off or you will have an imperfect glossy print. If you want the drying to go faster add a little heat.
If you want less trouble with the process you need to add a little photo-flo solution to the last water wash.
If you add a 50% solution of denatured alcohol before squeegeeing it will also dry faster.
There is another article on this web page called a"Ferrotype Print Overnight", read that article. You can use LOW heat to speed up the ferrotyping of Black and White prints if you use tins. On color you have to check the highest temperature that you can use before the print goes bad. Check instructions that comes with the paper.
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