Digital BW, The Print

Now for something entirely different.

While I'm clearly an advocate of 100% carbon on natural (no OBA) cotton based paper for the most the most stable fine art images, I also appreciate a dramatic glossy B&W. 

So, my next effort is something totally different.

I believe I've found a source for bulk quantities of advanced dye similar to Epson Claria.  I'll be testing this first in a 1.5 pl printer using black only and perhaps a 3-K approach like the 1800 3-MK workflow.  I'm also researching the bases that might be needed to dilute the dye and make a full B&W, glossy advanced dye inkset that would be usable in most Epson printers.  Think big, artifact-free, super dramatic B&W.

If you've never seen a Claria black only image, do yourself a favor and get to the Rose-Lynn Fisher's reception at the Graig Krull gallery in Santa Monica, CA, December 4, 4 - 6.  I hope to be there.  Rose-Lynn's Bee exhibit is Claria black only and most impressive.  

See http://www.craigkrullgallery.com/Exhibition/next.html

Keep in mind that advanced dyes are, in my view, in the same class with the third party color pigments I've been using when it comes to image stability.  (Some would say they are better in all respects.)  Advanced dye with a UV spray may be similar to what one would expect from the third party blended carbon-color B&W inksets in terms of stability.  

Technology has improved significantly since the days of the 1270.  It's not in the league with carbon, but this just might be a very cool B&W medium for cards (my gallery brochures being a specific target) and most of what people want a B&W print for.  Time and testing will tell.  It should be a fun.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com