Lith print developer, powder kit

Description

Found your grandpa’s old expired foggy papers and don’t want to throw them out? Lith printing might be just what you’re looking for!
I formulate Ansco 70, which is a so-called lith developer. Also known as Kodak D-153 or Ilford ID-13, you can use this to make lith prints, which is a good use for old expired photo papers. The results can be pretty artsy.

The sample image is a print made using Ansco 70 on positively geriatric Agfa Multicontrast MCP paper, which has lost all of its contrast. A good modern paper stock to use for lith printing is Fomatone MG baryta paper, it gives a nice warm tone.

Contents

• Ansco 70 chemistry, two bags. This kit makes 1 liter of stock solution total, for 12,5 liters of working solution at 1+1+23.

Mixing

To mix the stocks (500ml A + 500ml B):

1. wear your PPE’s: glasses, gloves and preferably an apron as well
2. get 400ml of hot water (50°C)
3. mix in bag A, use a chemical mixer or equivalent to crush any hydroquinone crystals at the bottom
4. get 400ml of COLD water (very important! As cold as you can get it. B contains sodium hydroxide, which creates an exothermic reaction)
5. mix in bag B

Make sure to store stock solution B in a plastic bottle. Don’t use PET plastic or glass, as sodium hydroxide in solution is very caustic and reacts with them. You can store A in any material bottle you like.

Usage notes

• Do not combine A and B before mixing a working solution!
• The standard ratio for a working solution is 1+1+23. To mix a liter of working solution, use 40+40+920ml.
• Use in a heated tray (30°C+), otherwise you’ll be waiting under your safelight until you sprout a beard.
• Ansco 70 is crazy slow, it might take anywhere from 5-10 minutes for an image to appear.
• The capacity is not very high: a liter at 1+1+23 develops about 2 25×30 sheets plus test strips. This kit should be enough for about 25 sheets of 25x30cm, or about 2 sqm of paper