In order that the image does not adhere on the provisory support a little of the following mixture is spread over the plate, which is then pretty strongly heated, and, when it has cooled down, polished lightly with a piece of white flannel to obtain a very thin and even layer free from striæ. If the plate has not been used before for the purpose in question, it should be waxed a second time in the same manner:
| Yellow wax | 4 parts |
| Rosin | 1 part |
| Turpentine or benzine | 250 parts |
The plates can be developed on the plates so waxed, but for “full gloss,” that is, for enameled pictures, a film of collodion is applied on the plates, which then, instead of being waxed, should to be simply flowed with a solution of India rubber 1 to 100 of benzole:
| Ether | 250 parts |
| Alcohol | 250 parts |
| Castor oil | 1 part |
| Pyroxyline | 5 to 6 parts |
When the plate is coated and the collodion film set, it is immersed in water until greasiness has disappeared and wanted for use. Then the tissue, previously soaked in water, is applied upon it (taking care to avoid air bubbles) and squeezed, lightly at first, with some force afterwards, to insure a perfect contact.
Zinc plates are also employed as provisory supports instead of glass, opal or porcelain plates. The modus operandi is exactly the same.[30] The plates should be well planed, free from scratches, etc., and well polished to obtain glossy pictures without one having recourse to a film of collodion. For matt pictures, i.e., without gloss whatever, the plate should be finely granulated, and when waxing a very light pressure should be exerted to remove the excess of wax, else it might be quite impossible to strip off the picture in transferring on paper.
For double transfer on biscuits, objects in alabaster, porcelain, wood, any even or curved rigid materials, flexible supports are employed to develop the pictures. These supports are prepared by fastening albumen paper on a board and evenly brushing over the following hot compound, filtered through flannel, which, when dry, is polished with a cloth:
| Stearine | 15 parts |
| Rosin | 3 parts |
| Alcohol | 100 parts |
The flexible supports should be waxed, then collodionized for full gloss, as the glass, porcelain and metallic plates.
Another method which the writer recommends is the following, due to Mr. Swan: Immerse a sheet of paper in a solution of India rubber, 4:100 of benzole, and let dry, which requires a few minutes. This is the flexible support. Then after exposure, brush over the India rubber solution on the carbon tissue, apply upon it the support when the benzole is evaporated, and pass the whole under a rolling press to secure adhesion, then develop. To transfer, soak the proof in tepid water, apply it on the material prepared, as it will be explained further on, and when dry, imbue the support from the back with benzole, to soften the India rubber, and strip.