THE FINEPRINT RANGE

Technical Data

Fineprint VC

Three unique alternatives for the discerning image maker seeking the aesthetic qualities of a fibre based paper, coupled with the convenience of a variable contrast emulsion.

Cool rich blacks, crisp bright whites and exceptional mid-tone detail characterise Fineprint VC Glossy and Finegrain. Kentmere's unique bromo-iodide technology, with its special construction, offers superior sharpness with separation in even the finest detail.

The range is now extended with Fineprint F.G. Warmtone. Warm rich whites and a subtle, warmer image rendition characterise this new paper, complemented by its Finegrain semi-matt surface.

All three surfaces respond superbly to many toning techniques allowing further manipulation of tone and contrast.

Whatever your needs, Fineprint VC is the perfect choice for portfolio, exhibition and commercial work where excellence is the criterion.

For additional information on toners, see the Toning Kenmere Papers document.

Product description

The Fineprint VC range consists of black and white enlarging papers with a traditional fibre base, coated with a variable contrast emulsion. Using standard colour filtration, contrast from grades 00 to 5 are achievable.

Surfaces

Product Identification

Fineprint VC labelling contains the following information:-

Packaging

Kentmere black and white photographic papers are packed in a black plastic envelope, then an outer cardboard box or envelope and finally sealed with a label and tape. The plastic envelope helps protect the paper from humidity and fumes as well as being light proof. Although the black plastic envelope is light proof, we would recommend that it is also returned to the outer cardboard container before exposure to white light as small holes can develop in the plastic envelope with use.

Storage

All Kentmere black and white photographic papers should be stored in their original packaging, including the black plastic envelope. The plastic envelope protects the paper from harmful darkroom fumes and humidity. Ideally the paper should be stored in a cool dry environment preferably at temperatures below 20°C. For prolonged storage a freezer can be used. In either case, allow sufficient time for warming up and do not allow condensation to form on the paper.

Paper Structure

Paper Base

The paper is 240 g/m² coated on the front side with 36 g/m² of baryta giving a base weight of approximately 276 g/m² and a thickness of approximately 260 µm.

Coated emulsion layer

The light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer has a silver content of approximately 1.5 g/m². This is covered with a gelatine supercoat which protects the emulsion from stress fogging and physical damage and also contains a small amount of developing agent.

(Not to scale, for information only)

Spectral Sensitivity

Sensitivity
ISO Paper Speed

(ISO speed to ISO 6846 - 1992)

When exposed to unfiltered white light Fineprint VC has a speed of ISO P 640 and has a contrast of approximately grade 2.

When exposed using Ilford Multigrade filters grades 00 - 3½ have the same speed (ISO P 320) and grades 4 - 5 require approximately twice the exposure (ISO P 160).

When exposed using the colour enlarger filter settings for matched exposures (see contrast control) grades 0 - 4 have the same speed (ISO P 320), grades 00 and 5 require approximately 1/3 of a stop more exposure (ISO P 250).

Exposure

Fineprint VC is designed for use with tungsten or tungsten halogen light sources. Cold light source enlargers can be used, but they may limit the contrast range achievable.

Contrast Control

Contrast as a range approximately equivalent to grades 00 to 5 is achievable from the Fineprint range by means of colour filters used in the enlarger. Proprietary filter sets such as Ilford Multigrade or Kodak Polymax are suitable, as are modular and automatic enlarger heads featuring proprietary filters; otherwise the magenta and yellow filters of colour enlarging heads can be used. Below are tables of enlarger colour filter settings recommended for use with the Fineprint range. Filter settings recommended by other manufacturers will also give a similar range of contrasts; there may be slight differences in grade spacings.

The contrast of the paper is continuously variable so that the grades are fixed only by the filter settings used, and thus fractional grade changes can be achieved.

Filters of colour enlargers from different manufacturers fall into three categories as follows:-

Durst: Dunco, Durst, Kaiser, Keinzle, Leitz, Lupo.

Kodak: Beseler, De Vere, Chromega, Fujimoto, IFF, Jobo, LPL, Omega, Paterson, Vivitar, Simmard.

Agfa: Agfa, Krokus, Meopta.

Table A shows simply the filter settings for grade selection. Speeds of grades are not the same.

When exposed with no filter, the paper gives a contrast of approximately Grade 2 and is of high speed.

Table B shows the combined filter setting which should be used if speed matching of grades 0 - 4 is required. Grades 00 and 5 approximatley 1/3 of a stop more exposure.

Contrast range

(ISO range to ISO 6846 - 1992)

Fineprint ISO Range

These figures represent an average of the achievable results. A small amount of production tolerance is included. Actual results achieved may differ depending on processing, paper age and storage conditions.

Maximum density

The Fineprint range will achieve the following maximum densities:-

Glossy 2.20

Finegrain 1.60

F.G. Warmtone1.60

(the Finegrain surfaces contain matting agents which reduce the maximum density achievable)

Results achieved using Kentmere VC Select Plus Variable Contrast Developer at 1 + 12 at 20°C as recommended under processing instructions. Other recommended developers and fixers (see Processing) should give comparable results.

Density/Characteristic curves

(Glossy surface)

Results achieved using Kentmere VC Select Plus Variable Contrast Developer at 1 + 12 at 20°C as recommended under processing instructions. Other recommended developers and fixers (see Processing) should give comparable results.

Safelighting

The Fineprint range have orthochromatic emulsions; these require a dark orange/brown or red safelight to be used. All variable contrast papers are more sensitive to safelights than conventional graded printing papers. Good darkroom practices should be adopted, keeping safelight exposure to a minimum and returning unused paper to the original packaging.

Box/lantern type safelights using glass filters should only be used with a 15 W bulb or less and should be positioned at least 1 metre from the paper. Filters which are suitable for use with the Fineprint range are :-

Kodak OC or 1A, and Ilford 902.

Fluorescent safelights are also suitable, these give a brighter, overall more even lighting. Fluorescent safelights can produce a more evenly lit and pleasant working environment, but still be as safe as the conventional lantern type safelights. Fluorescent safelights should be positioned at least 1.5 metres from the paper. Fluorescent safelights which are suitable for use with the Fineprint range are :-

EncapSulite A 10/ND.4 Amber or R 10 Red. (EncapSulite International Ltd., Youngs Trading Estate, Leighton Buzzard LU7 8QF. Tel 01525 376974).

Other safelights can be used, but tests should always be carried out first.

Processing

To maximise d. max, grade spacing and tonal rendition, a multicontrast chemical system such as Kentmere VC Select Plus Developer and Fixer, especially formulated to enhance variable contrast emulsions' characteristics, is recommended. Also recommended, in alphabetical order are Agfa Multicontrast, Champion B&W Multicontrast, Ilford Multigrade, Kodak Polymax, and Tetenal Variospeed developers, together with their appropriate fixers. Equivalent products from other manufacturers should give similar results.

We do not recommend conventional manual developers, which tend to inhibit both d. max and contrast.

The following table shows recommended dish processing conditions for use with Kentmere VC Select Plus Varaible Contrast Developer and Fixer. If using another manufacturer's chemistry, refer to their instructions for recommended processing conditions, to achieve similar results.

Drying

The Fineprint range can be dried using any standard fibre base paper drying methods, these include;

Atmospheric drying, either at room temperature or using warm air, having removed excess surface water using a suitable print squeegee. Prints will dry flatter if hung back to back in pairs. Print drying racks or plastic mesh screens can also be used to hold prints flat during drying.

Rotary glazing/drying drums or flat bed glazing/drying presses.

The use of a wetting agent in the final washing will help to produce a better contact between the print face and the heated glazing surface.

If using a heated glazing surface for drying prints, back of print to the glazing surface, excessive temperatures should not be used, as this can cause the emulsion to melt and adhere to the glazer blanket.

Toning

The Fineprint range tones well with Kentmere Sepia Toner. Kentmere Sepia Toner offers infinitely variable tones, according to dilution and time.

Prints to be toned should be thoroughly fixed and washed prior to any toning.

Kentmere Sepia Toner comes as parts A + B :- a bleach and toner. By varying the dilution of the toner a range of tones can be obtained. Used neat a rich chocolate colour is produced, the colour moving towards yellow/brown with increasing dilution.

Method

i) Immerse print in the bleach 'A' solution until all the black image is bleached.

ii) Wash in water until the water is no longer coloured.

iii) Tone in solution 'B' diluted as required.

iv) Wash for 30 minutes in running water.

Detailed technical sheets covering toning and cross-processing of our product range are available separately.

Mounting

The Fineprint range can be mounted using any of the standard methods for fibre based papers.

Technical enquiries

Please address any technical enquiries to;

Kentmere Limited
Photographic Division,
Staveley,
Kendal,
Cumbria LA8 9PB.

Tel: 01539 821365
Fax: 01539 821399

Replacements

Kentmere Limited will replace or credit the value of any Kentmere papers if found by us to be defective in manufacture, our liability being confined to the value of the paper only. In all such cases, proof that the paper was defective would be required.