testing mystery paper

[Terri]

I came across a box of unopened paper in the darkroom. I opened it to get the data sheet and - there isn't one! Unmarked white box and smooth glossy paper.

I *think* I may have bought this paper at the now defunct J&C, some years back. I seem to recall them advertising that they had a Polywarmtone replacement paper and now, I can only wonder if that was the allure of my purchase.

Can anyone give any general guidelines for testing paper? I know I can add filtration easily enough to at least determine if it's graded or VC, but beyond that I don't have a clue how to work with it.

I've played more with split-grade printing, for instance, and if this paper is VC, without a data sheet to clue me in I won't know where to start dialing in filtration. :scratch:

[ann]

this is a tough one terri,

if it is vc contrast paper the default will be around grade 2.

you might just try taking a known image and print it again with a filter grade at an extreme end of what you printed with on the known grade. If it reacts, then it is a vc paper, if not it is graded and then you will have to try various changes in exposures and development times. i.e. underexposure over develop which will make about a 1/2 grade change.

[Terri]

Thanks Ann. I do have lots of exposure notes so that's actually a great idea - at least it's a starting point! It's a box of 100 so I have plenty to experiment with, and with this much to use up I do need to get some kind of data point.

Serves me right for not checking it back when it arrived - I missed the chance to contact the company! The J&C is the only thing that makes any sense for this kind of unmarked packaging.

If it's what I think it is, it might be lith friendly, too. :boogie: Lots of experimentation ahead!