ABSTRACT
In 1991, Mike Ware introduced the argyrotype process to replace the oxidizing anion of silver nitrate with silver sulfamate. Silver sulfamate has a non-oxidizing anion to prevent oxidation of the fine-grained silver particles of the print. The argyrotype process also uses an acidic sensitizer that prevents hydrolysis of excess ferric ions, which traps residual silver in print. Silver sulfamate is unavailable for purchase and must be made while creating the sensitizer. The argyrotype process results in beautiful tonalities and color without toning. Argyrotypes can be made with many watercolor papers having good wet strength. Some papers require an acid presoak and dry before delivering good Dmax. Argyrotype is a printing-out process when sufficient moisture remains in the sensitized paper. A visible image will be formed upon exposure. While having a UV integrator in the UV printer allows for consistent exposure, an alternate method is using a clock to time.
