This article discusses quite in detail what is needed, from a beginner point of view, to make contact prints in platinum-palladium with a particular emphasis on digital negatives. We will also see what is needed to present the fine print, i.e. spotting and mounting. Finally, how you can prepare your own chemicals and, since some equipment can be home built, DIY instructions are also included.
Equipment and parts required and where to get them.
Making the negatives:
Computer w/Photoshop………………………………………………you probably already have it
Ink-jet printer………………………………………………………….you probably 影印紙 already have it
Darkroom/Printing:
UV unit……………………………………………………………………DIY / electrical materials suppliers
Contact printing frame………………………………………………..DIY
1,5″ Wash brush (best quality not cheap)…………………………art shop or online
Short glass, 2ml syringes…………………………………………….hardware shop / chemist
Amber bottles with dropper………………………………………….Bostick&Sullivan
Dryer……………………………………………………………………..hardware shop + DIY
Blotting paper…………………………………………………………..local art shop
Electronic Timer………………………………………………………..shops /online
Mechanical timer……………………………………………………….darkroom equip. supplier / online
5 Trays, 2 tongs………………………………………………………..darkroom equip. supplier
Drying rack………………………………………………………………DIY
Scales…………………………………………………………………….eBay / shops
Hot air heater……………………………………………………………bathroom furniture supplier
Press………………………………………………………………………DIY / hardware store
Spotting:
Scalpel (good quality)………………………………………………….framing equip. supplier
Loupe (large size)………………………………………………………photo equip. supplier
0000 brush (good quality)…………………………………………….art shop
Mounting:
Mount cutter………………………………………………………………framing equip. supplier
As you can see nothing too difficult to find. If you do not have Photoshop (you do not need the latest version of course, any version will be sufficient) there are several other graphic programs which cost less or are even free. To print, I would say that any modern ink-jet will be up to the job. Since Epson printers are very diffused we will discuss a curve that should work on any Epson model with ultrachrome inks (starting with the economic Epson R 800/1800).
Supposing then that you already have a computer with Photoshop and a printer, the next most expensive item is the UV unit. This is easy to make and it took me less than one weekend to build it. I made a simple wooden frame, and then I used 10 x 450mm Philips UV lamps connected each with ballast and a starter, which is the minimum to make 8×10″ prints. When ordering these materials also get some electrical leads for the wiring, a switch, a few fans big and small (like those inside a PC, from the power supply and from the CPU) and the plastic fitting for the bulbs. The fans