What is ferrotyping and how does it work? Is it worth doing?

-- Jerry Cunningham (jkc@digisys.net), November 01, 2000

Answers

It is the old process of getting a high gloss surface on a B/W print through the use of ferrotype plates. Much easier to stick with glossy paper and less headaches.

-- Scott Walton (scotlynn@shore.net), November 01, 2000.

Ferrotyping requires a fiber based glossy paper to begin with.

After processing, the paper is squeegee'ed onto the ferrotype plate and left to dry.

Problems will occur if the plate is not perfectly clean, and if the drying isn't slow (and sometimes if it is)you get "oyster shell" marks. These are rings that occur as the paper drys at different rates.

It is far easier to use a glossy RC paper, but the ferrotype look is substantially clearer than RC glossy.

If you don't want a glossy look, ferrotyping is not for you.

It is a difficult-to-control process, and I like the look of fiber based glossy papers that are dried matte (that is, the image facing the air or a sheet of blotter paper) better.

-- Charlie Strack (charlie_strack@sti.com), November 01, 2000.