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Drying Prior to Printing

When using a hair dryer to dry your paper tiny particles of emulsion may be blown into the air. If breathed, they could be quite dangerous so wear a respirator. I am now hanging my paper for about 20 mins. Then printing or applying the second coat. I want the paper to be dry but not bone dry. The time will vary depending on the humidity.

I have found that as a hair dryer gets old it starts to shoot out little bits of metal and causes lots of black spot problems. Today if I use a hair dryer I use it on the side of the paper that has no emulsion if I use one at all. In my darkroom a "hang dry" of about 20 mins works well.

Today there is a great debate among printers as to humidity and the factors it plays in the image. Many people are having great success using humidity to control everything from contrast to color of the print. In my own personal opinion, and only perhaps becouse I have not played with it much I find the paper prints best when almost completely dry but with a very slight "dampness". I also like to use my paper within 12 hours of coating. After that I tend to throw the paper out. Other people like to coat and let the paper "age" for at least 24 hours before using. Remember what works for me may or may not work for you. Depending on where you live, time of year, humidity, weather and what you ate for dinner will all effect your working methods and results. I kid you not.