Brightening

Making a working solution step-by-step Procedure

An optical brightening agent may be added to the paper.  This can have the effect of changing a yellowish natural paper color to a neutral white color.  This can be a way to achieve a brightness lacking in most papers.

What happens is that the brightening agent has the property that when subjected to UV light, it in turn reflects blue light.  Even a tungsten bulb emits enough UV for the agent to function.  However, it must be remembered that brightened prints can look different under different illuminations.  It is important that the prints be evaluated in the same illumination in which they will be displayed.

To make a working solution:

In tray pour 32 oz water (0.5 micron filtered tap water or distilled)

Add 15 ml Sprint Print Brightening Converter

Add 1 ml Kodak Photoflo

Mix well.

Note:  The solution should be made fresh for each session and not stored.

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Procedure to Brighten a print:

After a print is fully washed or after a finished dry print is completely soaked in water,

Place print in tray of Brightening solution (above working solution).

Agitate gently for 1 to 3 minutes (depending on amount of brightening).

Dry

Note:  If brightening is too intense or no longer desired, it may be washed
           out of the print.  However, this may take ½ to 2 hours, and the paper
           may not hold up to this much more washing.

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