Digital BW, The Print

The image is just part of the print we are making.  One of the great things
about inkjet printing is that we have a wide choice of papers or
substrates.  Exploring the different looks and factors that may affect
things like expected longevity is part of the art, as I see it.

I, personally, print on Arches Hot Press, Epson Hot Press, among others  --
and I'm having a lot of fun with this Red River Polar Pearl Metallic and
the dyes.

I do expect that the Arches prints made with 100% carbon will last the
longest.  I think the stresses in the paper will cause problems with most
if not all coatings and laminates.  When I go into the studio in the
morning and see the dry-mounted glossy papers on foam-core, prior to
framing, bowed from my leaving the windows open at night, I'm persuaded
that these stresses are not insignificant.

I don't worry much about the carbon binder breaking down, because the tiny
carbon particles appear to bury themselves into the paper.  The generic
base came from a project to make a "workable" carbon inkset that a painter
could smear across watercolor paper.  It failed.  The binder-free carbon
could not be moved significantly even by a wet brush.

I've done some Googling with respect to the internal gelatin sizing I
believe Arches uses.  There is evidence that it actually aides in the paper
longevity.

But who knows ...?

The mere fact that it is more difficult to make has some natural quantity
limiting effects.  This can have appeal and marketing significance.

At any rate, printing on Arches makes a differentiated product that has
appeal to some.  In actual practice, they have often been my favorites that
are on my walls.  With some images Arches looks great. My last 2
significant collector sales (a couple full sheet prints and a full show of
small prints) were on Arches.

I think printing on Arches un-coated watercolor paper are, in part, a form
of alternative process.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com


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