Digital BW, The Print

On 4/3/02 10:20 PM, "Martin Wesley" <mwesley250@...> wrote:

> Stephen,
> 
> You can go back in the archives and find the results of Robert's fade tests.
> As I recall fading and warm shifting were reduced by all coatings. There was
> a much greater difference between coated and uncoated than between the
> specific coatings. The fade and warming were reduced by 50% in comparison to
> the uncoated prints as best as I recall.

That's accurate.  Ozone testing is in progress with Epson 10000 prints.

> Coating the prints has a pronounce effect on their appearance. I have sent
> coated prints to several people and the general response was that they did
> not care for it. The increase in Dmax is very strong but the surface is much
> like a varnished oil painting in quality.

Dmax increases in the coatings that I have worked with range from 0.4 to 0.6
increase...essentially taking the prints from matte to gloss.  The effect is
like a varnished oil painting.  Tones are more luminous.  I find that the
photos appear deeper.  The velvety finish is certainly gone.  These look
like gloss prints...but on archival paper...preserving the texture of the
paper.  Personally I love the look as do the people that I have shown the
prints to including several paper manufacturers.  If you do not like the
look of gloss prints, however, you are unlikely to like the look of the
coated prints. In the end each person will have to decide for themselves
whether they like the look...and that will probably vary from image to image
and from paper to paper.

> As a compromise I would suggest using one of the UV aerosol spray coatings.
> These do not change the appearance of the print if applied lightly but
> provide excellent mechanical protection and improve fade and warming
> resistance as well.

I find the sprays useless...no improvement in appearance...minimal
protection from light (too thin a coating) and they frequently ruin the
surface of the print. I have heard through the grapevine that Cone has a
brush on coating that he uses to improve dmax, without changing the surface
of the print.  I don't know anything about this...other than he sells it for
$400/gallon.  Personally, I'm highly skeptical that anything can
dramatically increase dmax without adding gloss.
> 
> Also check into the coating being offered by MIS that is designed to be
> loaded into a printer. You run the print through to have a coating applied
> by inkjet. I have not seen the results of this process but it sounds
> interesting. One of the biggest problems in coating prints was in getting an
> even, streak and dust free application. An inkjet application might avoid
> all these issues and you could control how much was applied by selecting
> something less than 100% "black" as the print color.

It is unlikely that this would put down a thick enough coat.  Streak and
dust free application is not a problem with the right equipment.  Honestly,
that's why I don't have a product out yet...it has taken nearly 9 months of
experimenting to get the equipment right and perfect the formulation...but
it is possible...and turns out to be easy with the right gunk and equipment.

Currently, I'm hoping to have a commercial product out by next
September...but no promises.  In the mean time I'm glad to take questions. I
have coated prints going out into several print exchanges and both Crane
(Robert Rex) and Brightcube will be showing prints that I have beta coated
on their papers in meetings around the country.  I believe that Robert Rex
is also intending to use them for in store displays of Museo.  Coated
PiezoBW Museo prints will knock your socks off if you like glossy
prints...they are really fantastic.

Robert

> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Stephen Kundell, MD" <skundell@...>
> To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2002 8:53 PM
> Subject: [Digital BW] Coating revisited
> 
> 
>> It has been a while since the topic of coating has been addressed. I know
> Robert and others were actively experimenting in this regard.  Has anyone
> come up with a system that works with large images, and truly prevents UV
> and ozone degradation similar to the benefit of framed images. I hate that
> glass between me and the image!!!!
>> Thanks all
>> Stephen
>> 
>> 
>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>> 
>> 
>> 
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> 
> 
> 
> 
> Please visit the Group Homepage to check the Files, Bookmarks, Polls and other
> resources as they are often being updated. The page is at:
> 
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint
> 
> Please follow these basic guidelines:
> - Include your full name with your message.
> - Include the address of your website, if you have one.
> - As threads develop, trim off excess portions of earlier messages to keep
> them short.
> - As the topic of a thread changes remember to change the subject header.
> - Good manners are required at all time. No personal attacks or "flames."
> - Complete your Yahoo profile.
> - Before posting a question, search the message archives and the various
> resources on the homepage.
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> 

----------------------
Robert Morrison
rmorrison@...

310-397-2704

4131 Bledsoe Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90066