Digital BW, The Print

Considering that Epson is claiming their "archival" inks will work on some
of these semi-gloss papers, do you think they will work without smearing
using third party "archival" inks like those from MIS?  It sure would be
nice to have some alternatives to matte papers (spraying is not an option
for me).

From a post on another forum.....

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EPSON LAUNCHES SEVEN NEW WIDE FORMAT PAPERS FOR EPSON STYLUS PRO PRINTERS

New Epson Papers Designed To Meet Needs of Today's Most Demanding
Photographers and Graphic Artists


LONG BEACH, Calif. - May 9, 2002 -- Epson America Inc., creator of high
quality award-winning digital imaging products, is introducing seven new
papers made especially for both professional and amateur users. Each new
product is designed for use with the EPSON Stylus(r) Pro line of printers to
give photographers a broader choice of artistic and commercial media to
express their work. The new wide format products include: Somerset(r)
Velvet for Epson, Premium Semimatte Photo Paper, Premium Glossy Photo Paper,
EPSON Proofing Paper Commercial Semimatte, Premium Luster Photo Paper and

EPSON ColorLife(tm) Photo Paper.


* Somerset(r) Velvet for Epson: Made exclusively for Epson by St. Cuthberts
Mill in Somerset England (makers of fine specialty papers since the 18th
century), Somerset Velvet for Epson is an acid-free, 100 percent cotton rag
fine art paper. The media is designed to give a museum quality feel and
texture to prints using Epson Archival(tm) and UltraChrome(tm) Inks and is
available in 255 g/m2 rolls and 505 g/m2 cut sheets. Up to 100+ years with
EPSON Archival Inks, under glass. 19 mil (rolls), 36 mil (sheets).


* Premium Semimatte Photo Paper: Premium Semimatte Photo Paper is a
resin-coated photographic media that enables highly saturated,
high-resolution images to be displayed with an elegant, but understated flat
matte "N" surface finish that reduces glare, while maximizing presentation
quality. Its 10-mil thickness and wide color gamut are designed for more
discerning professionals, while its instant drying and non-cockling
characteristics make it very easy to handle. Up to 100+ years with EPSON
Archival Inks, 40+ years with EPSON UltraChrome Inks, and 5 years with EPSON
Photographic Dye Inks, under glass. 10 mil.


* EPSON Premium Glossy Photo Paper: Epson's award-winning Premium Glossy
Photo Paper is now available in wide format rolls, offering the highest
gloss
level of any Epson inkjet paper.

This paper is engineered to produce vivid, life-like images that rival those
of a traditional silver halide print, while its ultra-glossy finish allows
for a wide color gamut and higher DMax for greater visual impact. Its 10-mil
thickness and non-cockling characteristics also make it easy to handle and
even laminate. Up to 100+ years with EPSON Archival Inks, 80+ years with
EPSON UltraChrome Inks, and 5+ years with EPSON Photographic Dye Inks, under
glass. 10 mil.


* Premium Luster Photo Paper: Epson's popular Premium Luster Photo Paper is
now available in 10-and 20-inch widths to accommodate borderless printing on
the new Stylus Pro 7600 and Stylus Pro 9600 wide format printers. Similar to
traditional luster papers used by wedding, portrait and school
photographers,
Epson's Premium Luster Photo Paper offers an "E" surface finish with a
10-mil
RC base. This paper delivers highly saturated prints by offering maximum ink
coverage and a high DMAX for true photographic reproductions. It's designed
for use with Epson Archival and UltraChrome inks for long-life displays, and
dye-based inks for shorter-term prints. Up to 100+ years with EPSON Archival
Inks, 40+ years with EPSON UltraChrome Inks, and 5+ years with EPSON
Photographic Dye Inks, under glass. 10 mil.


* EPSON ColorLife Photo Paper: Originally designed for use with Epson's
Stylus desktop printers, EPSON ColorLife Photo Paper is engineered to
deliver
colorful, fade-resistant photos, with lightfastness rated up to 26 years
under glass, on a smoother satin finish using Epson's Photographic Dye inks.
Now this media is available in wide-format rolls for Stylus Pro users. Up to
26 years with EPSON Photographic Dye Inks, under glass. 10 mil.


* EPSON Proofing Paper Commercial Semimatte: Designed with a
commercial-grade
base color, the semimatte surface finish on this proofing media is ideally
suited for simulating the commercial printing applications most commonly
used
in high-end, sheet-fed printed products such as brochures, collateral, book
covers and posters. This medium-weight paper is coated with exacting
standards and displays superior short-term stability when used in
conjunction
with Epson professional inks. Not recommended for long-term display. 6.5
mil.


Each of these new roll-size papers and wide-format cutsheet media will be
available in June 2002 through authorized Epson dealers nationwide.
Additional Epson sheet papers are available at computer superstores and
specialty retail stores nationwide, mail order and the Internet, including
Epson's Web site.