Digital BW, The Print

Andre wrote:

>Here's a snippet from a recent Jon Cone message on the other list.

>"DO NOT PRINT ON EPSON ARCHIVAL MATTE!  IT IS KNOWN TO TURN GREEN IN
>THE PRESENCE OF OZONE"

>So, what's a good replacement for EAM ?

I suspect it is an ink problem more than an Archival Matte problem.  The
context of Cone's statement is a battle over the increasingly famous "green
cast" problem(s) of Piezo prints.

Look again at the comparison of ink dots made with Piezo magenta v. MIS VM
magenta inks.  This is in the Files section of this forum.  Go to

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint/files/

then hit "Message Related Files" and look at file "Piezo-MISdots.jpg."

The Piezo ink, I believe, has a fair amount of greenish dyes in it.  I
beleive this "Kleenex Chromatography" experiment shows those dyes.  My
interpretation is that the dyes, which I believe are in solution migrated
through the Kleenex further than the pigment particles.  Now, again, I'm no
chemist and may be mis-reading this experiment's results.  However, my fade
testing also seems to indicate that there is a substantial dye component to
Piezo ink.  In my experiments it fades substantially faster than MIS inks.

We know that dyes are susceptible to ozone.  We also know that dyes work
better (fade less) on Epson Heavy Weight matte paper.  Archival Matte paper
was designed specifically for pigments, not dyes.

So, I think what we have with the Piezo ink is a fair amount of dye and
perhaps a mismatch between those dyes and the Archival Matte paper.

Is there an easy and cheap solution?

I found one that works for me -- switch inks.

Of course, if it turns out other pigments also turn green on EAM paper, then
I stand corrected and will re-consider my generally positive view toward
that paper.  However, until I find a paper that performs as well as EAM in
my fade tester, I'm reluctant to give up what appears to be a great bargain
and excellent performer.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com