Do you know of anyone using Lettra paper as a support for self-made photographs? This would be for uses similar to platinum printing on Crane Cover. The requirement is for the ability go handle extended periods of being wet. The paper would be handled (gently, I hope), over a 30 - 45 minute period.

Any information, even guesswork, would be appreciated. I am perfectly comfortable with uncertainty.

Hello Martin,

I can't comment on the success of Lettra yielding quality results for Platinum prints or any printing process that takes an emulsion coating, image burned and then goes through an extensive acid-based clearing process. The process is a very personal one; every printer I know that specializes in this process of photo reproduction uses their own chemical balances to achieve positive results.

A couple of facts that I can share, having developed papers specifically for platinum printing over the years and still working on rolling out the perfect paper for this delicate process.

1. The paper must have excellent wet strength - the base structure of Revere Platinum, for example, is an internal & external sized wet media or watercolor sheet; enabling it to withstand the several steps of the emulsion clearing process without falling apart and allowing the sheet to dry flat.

2. The only other characteristic is that the paper should not contain any buffering compounds such as calcium carbonate. The paper will still be archival and neutral pH but has no alkaline additives to battle the acids used in the clearing process.
I have heard of some printers trying older makings of Crane's cover with moderate success but of late this paper is no longer manufactured at the Crane paper-making facility and as a result printer's feedback has not been positive.

If you would like to get some out turn samples of a very recent production of "Revere Platinum" 300 gsm that has been proofed on by some notable platinum printers in the USA & Europe I would be than happy to send you a few sheets to test.

Hope I've been of some help,