Digital BW, The Print

"Paul" <paulmwhiting@...> wrote:
>
> I'm very fond of my carbon prints on Premier Art FineArt paper, even to the point where I now have some 11x14 prints at a gallery with no glass or plexi, simply matted and in Nielsen matte black frames.

I've tried to get away from glass or acrylic (often referred to generically also as "plexiglass"), but fear that the matte surface is just too fragile, even with a spray.  I used glass for a long time due to the ease with which acrylic scratches.  However, for safety and to avoid breakage in shipping and handling, I gave up on glass. (Oddly, I lost a sale the other day when the purchaser learned the large piece used acrylic instead of glass.)

For those close to West Los Angeles, my supplier -- Solter Plastics at 12016 W. Pico -- has the best retail prices I've found.  He also claims to supply the Getty Museum with the anti-reflection coated acrylic they use.  He quoted some prices that were out of my league, but the materials I've seen at the Getty do appear to be the best.  I don't see, for example, the greenish reflections in the dark areas of the prints that I see with Tru-View's coated glass.

I'm not sure the UV absorption is that important for the carbon you're using.  I'm sure you're following the Aardenburg tests.  The fade rate of the carbon is so low I would not worry about it.

One thing I've been curious about, however, is whether the UV glazing would stop the dyes in brightened paper from fading and causing the print to warm up.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com