Page 86 - The Wellington photographic handbook

S.C.P. POST-CARDS.
In addition to the ordinary S.C.P. the same coating is supplied
on post-cards. These form, without exception, the simplest and
easiest method of making photographic picture post-cards. They
are worked in exactly the same way as the ordinary S.C.P., the
only difference being in the thickness.
EXPOSING S.C.P.
Little need be said about this operation. The paper may
be handled and the printing frame filled in diffused artificial light.
There is no difficulty in recognising the sensitive side. In Glossy
S.C.P. it is, of course, the shiny side ; in the matt varieties it is
smoother and whiter than the plain paper at the back, and in all
cases S.C.P. has a slight tendency to curl, always with the coated
surface inwards. It is best always to expose at one distance from
the light, as it is then possible to decide instantly upon the correct
exposure by a mere glance at the negative. A very good plan to
ensure the distance being the same is to fasten to one edge of the
printing frame by means of a screw, a piece of wood which will
project straight out in front of the frame. This wood is cut to a
suitable length, and then, whenever a print is being made, the frame
is fixed so that the wood just touches some given part of the gas
bracket or lamp. Six inches will be found a very convenient
distance for quarter-plate or smaller negatives, but for larger sizes
it is better to use the frame further off so as to secure even illumina-
tion. The distance between the frame and the light should not
be less than the diameter of the negative. With a normal negative
and a 32-c.p. electric light, at a distance of six inches, the exposure
will be approximately 30 seconds. With incandescent gas the
time will be rather longer, and with a paraffin lamp two minutes
may be necessary. The " Soft " grades of S.C.P. will require
approximately one-half these exposures.
If the presence of a little magnesium smoke in the room does
not matter, a piece of magnesium ribbon burnt at a distance of
twelve inches from the printing frame is an excellent method of
printing. The frame may be stood up at one end of a piece of
wood twelve inches long, and at the other may be put a spirit lamp
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