Digital BW, The Print

John Castronovo <jc@...> wrote:


> The color saturation and clarity of dyes on metallic are breathtaking, but
>
> what about the durability factor?
>

There is always some uncertainty there.  Dyes are clearly not in the same
league with carbon pigments -- and that is a plus from my perspective.  I'm
looking for media that are clearly different.  I need to split markets --
collectors v. the typical buyer in Gallery Los Olivos, my local gallery
where I have my permanent display.  The collectors don't like my low GLO
prices, but the tourists are dazzled by the dyes on metallic paper and very
price sensitive.  I want to sell to both markets, and I hope that the
carbon v. dye print aids in this effort.

That said, the Claria/Noritsu dyes are rather amazing.  They are better
that the average third party color pigments.  Wilhelm rates color Claria
prints at 98 years under glass.  Protecting dyes with a spray seems to have
a major effect on their longevity.  If you go to
http://www.aardenburg-imaging.com/ and log into the fade test database,
click on the Conservation Display Rating column to put it in order.  In
about the middle of the pack you'll find black only Epson 1400 Claria, with
a spray coating.  Above and below it are your typical Epson and Canon k3
color pigments.  These color pigment prints are sold all the time as
"giclee" (what a BS name) prints.  Additionally, I've had un-sprayed
dye-based cards on a mantle for a year, even getting some direct sun, and I
observe no change.  So, I think the dyes are good enough for many uses, and
yet not good enough for high end collecting.

I would not want to sell a medium that I thought would embarrass me, and I
feel comfortable selling the sprayed B&W prints at very modest prices to
walk-in customers who are not collectors and, frankly, don't care about
these issues.

I'm not at all encouraging this approach for most on this list, but these
prints and this technology have a definite place in the market.

Anyone with a 1400/1430 and QTR can get a preview of what the medium looks
like.  See http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/1400-Claria-BW.pdf .   For a
better, dedicated B&W 1400 approach (which I've switched back and forth
with color) see
http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/1400-Claria-Noritsu-2K2LK.pdf .

Going to wide format (e.g.,
http://www.paulroark.com/BW-Info/4000-Noritsu-5K-Plus.pdf) is not something
I recommend for most, but seeing if the market I'm in responds to the
larger size prints, still modestly priced (no matte board and no glass,
simple wood frame) is something I have to explore.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com


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