Digital BW, The Print

I just finished a 100 hour fade test where I had room to test a Somerset
Velvet test strip printed with MIS VM black ink only.  I have always heard
that inks on this uncoated paper do not warm the way they do on the coated
papers -- that the warming was some reaction between the ink and the
coating.

Well, while this was not a perfect comparison test, I have to report that
Somerset Velvet does not appear to be that different from Epson Archival
Matte in its warming and fading characteristics.  The VM black ink image
warmed just slightly less than what I expect on EAM, and may have faded just
a hair more than I'd expect from EAM.

The main difference I saw was that the paper did not yellow at all.  If
anything it actually cooled a bit.  The lack of yellowing, of course, is
what one would be expected of coated papers also if they had no brighteners.

So, since I did not have an EAM reference test strip in the fader at the
same time as the Somerset Velvet test strip, I'd have to call this test just
indicative of what a better comparison test would show.  Nonetheless, since
I have tested EAM and MIS VM K a fair amount, I have a pretty good idea of
what to expect.  And, the MIS VM black ink appeared in this test to react on
Somerset Velvet very much like it reacts on EAM, at least at the initial 100
hour point of my testing.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com