Historical Context
Platinum printing was invented by William Willis in 1873 and became the preferred medium for fine art photographers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The process fell out of favour as platinum became prohibitively expensive during World War I. The Malde-Ware method, developed by Pradip Malde and Mike Ware beginning in 1982, modernises the 1887 printing-out process of Giuseppe Pizzighelli.
Why Platinum?
Platinum prints are among the most permanent photographs possible. The metal does not oxidise or tarnish, and the image lies within the paper fibres rather than on the surface, making it extremely resistant to physical damage.
Chemistry (Malde-Ware Method)
The Malde-Ware system uses three solutions:
Solution A — Ferric Oxalate
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ammonium ferric oxalate | 27 g |
| Distilled water | 50 ml |
Solution B — Ferric Oxalate + Potassium Chlorate (contrast agent)
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ammonium ferric oxalate | 27 g |
| Potassium chlorate | 0.3 g |
| Distilled water | 50 ml |
Solution C — Metal Salts
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ammonium tetrachloroplatinate | 5 g |
| or Ammonium tetrachloropalladate | 5 g |
| or mixture to taste | |
| Distilled water | 50 ml |
Mixing Ratios for 8×10" Print
Combine drops from Solutions A, B, and C to total approximately 46 drops:
- Standard contrast: 11 drops A + 11 drops B + 24 drops C
- Lower contrast: 16 drops A + 6 drops B + 24 drops C
- Higher contrast: 6 drops A + 16 drops B + 24 drops C
Procedure
-
Paper selection: Use appropriate paper without alkaline buffers. Arches Platine is the industry standard.
-
Mixing sensitiser: Under subdued tungsten light, count required drops of each solution into a small container. Mix thoroughly.
-
Coating: Apply sensitiser to paper using glass rod or brush. Work quickly—the sensitiser absorbs fast.
-
Drying: Dry thoroughly in darkness. Paper should not feel cool (indicating moisture).
-
Exposure: Place negative in contact frame, emulsion to emulsion with sensitised paper. Expose to UV light.
- Typical exposures: 3-15 minutes under UV fluorescent tubes
- Image prints out (visible during exposure)
-
Clearing: Unlike traditional platinum processes, Malde-Ware prints-out and requires only clearing, not development.
First clearing bath (citric acid):
Component Amount Citric acid 30 g Water 1 litre Clear for 5 minutes with gentle agitation.
Second and third clearing baths (EDTA):
Component Amount Disodium EDTA 30 g Water 1 litre Clear for 5 minutes each bath.
-
Final wash: Wash for 20-30 minutes in running water.
-
Drying: Air dry or blot and dry flat.
Paper Considerations
Requirements
- Pure cotton or linen fibre
- No alkaline buffers (these inhibit printing)
- Appropriate sizing (internal or surface)
- Smooth surface for detail; textured for softer results
Known Compatible Papers
- Arches Platine — Industry standard
- Hahnemühle Platinum Rag
- Buxton Rag
- Bergger COT320
- Legion Revere Platinum
Papers to Avoid
- Papers with alkaline buffers (most "archival" papers)
- Papers with optical brighteners
- Wood pulp papers
Negative Requirements
Platinum requires long-scale negatives:
- Density range: 1.8-2.2 (base+fog to Dmax)
- This is approximately 70-80% more development than for conventional silver printing
- Digital negatives are now the standard approach
Platinum vs Palladium
| Aspect | Platinum | Palladium |
|---|---|---|
| Colour | Neutral grey | Slightly warmer |
| Cost | Very expensive | Less expensive |
| Sensitisation risk | Higher | Lower |
| Permanence | Extreme | Extreme |
Many practitioners use a mix of platinum and palladium to balance cost, colour, and safety considerations.
Safety
| Chemical | Hazard | Precautions |
|---|---|---|
| Ammonium ferric oxalate | Toxic if ingested — oxalates | Gloves; avoid ingestion |
| Potassium chlorate | Oxidiser; toxic | Store away from organic materials; gloves |
| Platinum salts | Sensitiser — can cause platinum allergy | Gloves essential; avoid skin contact |
| Palladium salts | Generally safer than platinum | Gloves recommended |
| EDTA | Low toxicity | Standard precautions |
Platinum Sensitisation Warning
Repeated exposure to platinum salts can cause a severe allergic condition characterised by asthma, urticaria (skin rash), and contact dermatitis. This condition was first documented in 1911 among platinum refinery workers. Once sensitised, the allergy is typically permanent.
Always use gloves and avoid skin contact. If you develop symptoms, discontinue platinum printing and consult a physician.
Palladium salts are much less likely to cause sensitisation and can be used as a safer alternative with similar (though slightly warmer) tonal results.
Further Reading
Pradip Malde & Mike Ware, Platinotype: Making Photographs in Platinum and Palladium with the Contemporary Printing-out Process (Routledge, 2020) 418 pages covering the Malde-Ware printing-out method. Features over 40 artists. The definitive reference for the contemporary printing-out process, the result of nearly 40 years of collaborative research.
Dick Arentz, Platinum & Palladium Printing, 2nd Edition (Focal Press, 2004) The definitive practical resource, based on over 3,000 prints. Includes contributions by Bob Herbst, Mark Nelson, Sandy King, and Stan Klimek. PDF edition includes 2018 Addendum on digital negatives.
Constance McCabe (ed.), Platinum and Palladium Photographs: Technical History, Connoisseurship, and Preservation (AIC Photographic Materials Group, 2017) 504 pages from 47 contributors. A National Gallery of Art research initiative funded by the Irving Penn Foundation. Essential for understanding the technical history and conservation of the medium.
Christopher James, The Book of Alternative Photographic Processes, 3rd Edition (Cengage Learning, 2015) Comprehensive coverage of platinum/palladium printing with practical guidance.
Mike Ware's website (mikeware.co.uk) Primary source for the Malde-Ware method, with free downloads of complete workshop notes and technical papers.