Digital BW, The Print

Here's an update on optical brighteners in fine art papers for those that
care.  Several list members have sent me paper samples which I have tested
as described below.

Dot Work's Jet Maxx--strong glow in coating (Jeff Randall--source)

Dot Work's Nature Jet Fine Art Coated--medium glow in coating (Jeff
Randall--source)

Epson Textured Fine Art--No glow in either paper or coating (Mike
Kravit--source)

Epson Smooth Fine Art----No glow in either paper or coating (Mike
Kravit--source)

Hahnemuhle William Turner 310gm--strong glow in paper--less no glow in
coating (Mike Kravit--source)

The Nature jet does have OB's in the coating...but there are definitely less
than a paper like EAM.  I hadn't seen this paper before.  It has a nice
medium weight a nice hand.  It is also cheap in comparison to the other fine
art papers ($32.50 for 50 letter sized sheets).  I'll print some later and
report.

The Jet Maxx looks like EAM and is half the price...might be a good option
for a proofing paper...will also print on that later and report.
 
In light of the William Turner result I went back and tested the "Wells
River" sample that I had from inkjetmall.com  This was presumably Hahnemuhle
William Turner with a different surface.  It might be the same coating...but
it is not the same paper...the wells river has no brighteners in the paper,
whereas the William Turner 300gm definitely does have brighteners in the rag
content of the paper.  I'd say this makes this paper the best of the
Hahnemuhle papers...but unlike Cone's old Wells River, it does not get the
"Morrison OB Free" seal of approval (ha ha).

So, my updated list of OB free fine art papers is as follows:

Eclipse Satine Soft White (300)
Epson Textured Fine Art (225)
Epson Smooth Fine Art (225)
Museo (250 and 365)
Wells River (190)

Robert





William On 4/8/02 7:07 PM, "Robert Morrison" <rmorrison@...> wrote:

> After the latest debate about whether Photo Rag has OB's or not...I purchased
> a black light (with a SB-4W bulb).
> 
> I turned out the lights in my studio and turned on the UV bulb.  The following
> comments are based on examining both sides of the paper.  For coated one side
> papers this tells you whether the OB's are in the paper or in the coating.  If
> the coating side glows and the back side is dark then the OB's are in the
> coating.  If both sides are the same then the OB's are in the paper.
> 
> EAM--Strong glow in the coating
> Photo Rag--Strong glow in the paper
> Orwell (German Etching)--Strong glow in the paper
> Wells River (William Turner)--No glow in either paper or coating
> Museo--No glow in either paper or coating
> Eclipse Satine Soft White--No glow in either paper or coating
> 
> Its important to note that the glow coming off of the Photo Rag and German
> etching is nearly as strong as the glow coming off the EAM.  From my own fade
> testing, EAM and Orwell both yellow very quickly when exposed to full sun in a
> window...this is most likely due to the OB's burning off.
> 
> If you saw what I did tonight...your mind would be made up.  EAM, Photo Rag
> and German Etching have OB's in them...William Turner, Museo and Eclipse
> Satine Soft White do not.
> 
> EAM was from Altex, Photo Rag, Museo and Eclipse were from photoinkjet.com,
> Orwell and Wells River were from inkjetmall.com.
> 
> As some of you know I have a very large collection of paper.  If there is
> another paper that you are curious about, email me...if I have it I'll test it
> for you.
> 
> Robert  
> 
> ----------------------
> Robert Morrison
> rmorrison@...
> 
> 310-397-2704
> 
> 4131 Bledsoe Ave.
> Los Angeles, CA 90066

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

310-397-2704

4131 Bledsoe Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90066