drying RC prints

<p>I am a bit embarrassed to ask such a stupid question..but..after a long hiatus from the darkroom I find myself printing on Ilford Multicontrast paper, which is different from the old FB Kodabromide I am used to. I have a blotter book for drying, which I have always used, but I have found that if I put the wet prints down "face" down, I run the risk of getting lint from the blotter embedded in the surface finish. If I put the print the other way, I get a waxy residue on the surface. Suggestions?</p>

<p>RC prints? Easier than saying "boo." Squeegee off the excess water and place them face up on screens. Come back in an hour. If you're in a rush, hit 'em with a hair dryer. Done. Blotter books? I've had the same problem with them as you do. I don't use them for wet FB prints either, but I do use them when the prints are almost dry. This way the lint doesn't get stuck to the gelatin. </p>

<p>I have a door screen made of a plastic screen. I have it attached to the wall with the hinges, and it lays against the wall. I pull it up from the bottom and put two sticks (custom that I made) on the outer corners (that way it stays out of the way) I put the prints on the screen face up and they're dry in a few hours.</p>

<p>I just lay my RC prints on a mesh like the ones for baking. Or you can do the hang up on a washing line thing like the movies ;)</p>

<p>I hang mine cornerwise from clips threaded on to a line running over the bath. They just air dry naturally.</p>

<p>My RC prints are hung from one corner on a basement clothes line. I haven't found the need to even squeegee them but after about 10 minutes take a paper towel and blot the bead of water hanging off the lower corner. Fibre prints are dried face down on plastic screens.</p>

<p>All of the above methods work, if you have room for a rack or enough drying line.</p>

<p>I squeegee the excess water, put them on a bath towel on the kitchen counter, and blow them dry with a hair dryer.</p>

<p>Hmm just lay mine face up on paper towels and squeegee. I then put it on a fresh paper towel for drying again face up. Works for me.</p>

<p>Occasionally when I've done a heap of RC prints (usually postcards) I put them on my 'fly wire' drying racks but they never dry as quickly as when I stand them up in a couple of plastic coated wire 'paper sorters' I got from an office supplies shop. These things are very space efficient, each holds about 10 prints (up to 8x10's... bigger paper doesn't stand up too well) </p>

<p>After squeegeing the prints on a piece of plexiglass, I hang them by clothespins on a line I have strung in a small bathroom. They dry very quickly and cleanly.</p>

<p>Thanks to all... for helping out an old guy being dragged, kicking and screaming , into the 21st century...</p>

<p>I took the front half of a discarded fan (18 to 20 inch diameter) that had vertical slots. I cleaned it and lay it face up. I put the wet prints (gently wiped on both sides with a damp sponge) into the slots. This works for prints up to 5 x 7. I keep two slots between prints so there's less danger of them coming into contact. Works great and takes up a minimum of counter space. Mine is actually sitting on top of a piece of formica which is on top of my old Prinz fiber print drier which is seldom used (oh, the irony).</p>