Page 151 - The Wellington photographic handbook

damp and the ink unset. When the pigmenting is complete, the
white margin of the print referred to above should be carefully
cleaned with a piece of damp rag, leaving a clean straight edge
to the print and a white margin all round it. The reason for this
is obvious, as when the picture is transferred it is necessary that
it should have a clean square edge on its new support ; and it
will, of course, be very difficult to trim the edges of the wet print
and nearly as difficult to pigment the print completely up to the
edges if the image extended so far. The method suggested therefore
is the best, particularly as the clean margins will leave what is
equivalent to a plate-mark surrounding the picture, after it has
been transferred, and will considerably enhance its appearance.

To prepare for transferring, it is necessary to have two sheets
of stiff, smooth strawboard or stout cardboard at least twice as long
as the longest way of the print and of sufficient width to go easily
through the mangle or wringing machine. Two sheets of zinc
or other thin stout metal are also an advantage ; and to complete
"
the outfit, for the best results a piece of thick " printer's blanket
should be procured. This is very useful in equalizing the pressure
when the rollers of the mangle are at all worn or uneven. Assuming
that a sheet of zinc has been secured, this should have a perfectly
smooth, clean surface and on this the piece of damp transfer paper
The wet bromoil is then taken (after the edges have been
is laid.
cleaned up) and carefully laid face downwards in the centre of the
paper or adjusted in the desired position so that there is more
space below than above the picture. A sheet of clean, smooth
blotting paper is then placed on the back of the print and this is
vigorously rubbed to remove any superfluous moisture which may
be adhering to the back of the print. The blotting paper is then
replaced by another dry sheet of blotting paper and on this should
be placed the printer's blanket and finally the second sheet of
cardboard or zinc. If the rollers of the mangle or press are in good
condition, this bromoil-transfer " sandwich " can now be passed
slowly through the machine with good pressure and as slowly
back again (hence the necessity for the cardboard to be at least
twice the length of the print). If, however, the rollers are
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