Digital BW, The Print

Paul Roark wrote:

>> I am considering Museo for prints that are copies
>>of old photos and are likely to
>> be mostly in dark storage.

Tom Keesling wrote:

>... Can you explain how
>you arrived at your conclusion re the Museo for this purpose? What
>other papers did you consider to be good candidates?

Tom,

Although for most purposes I find EAM to be what I like the best, I do worry
about EAM's apparent acidity for very long dark storage.  I'd like to be
able to tell people that the paper is acid free.  I'm really not comfortable
saying that for EAM.

I tend to think that Epson designed EAM for image permanence rather than
long term dark storage, where it's possible less acid could be a factor that
would matter.

I think there are probably many good, acid free papers.  I just happen to
have Museo, the price isn't too bad, it prints well with the MIS VM inkset
and curves with no alterations, and I think the slightly higher thickness
feels better than EAM.  (In my mounted display prints feel doesn't enter
into the consideration.)

I've tended to avoid the very thick papers due to concerns about printer
head wear and clogging.  However, Museo seems to work very well in my 1160.
Additionally, while the blacks of Museo are not great, in old photo
reproduction I don't think that matters.  Finally, the texture seems about
right for the job.  In my landscapes I much prefer the smooth surface of
EAM, but for old photos, the slightly textured surface looks good -- just my
subjective take on it.

Actually, I've also used some good old Somerset Enhanced for old photo
reproduction.  I think it looks good also.

To be honest, I don't spend a lot of time on the paper issue.  There just
isn't enough time to take on all the issues that exist in this field.  So, I
read what others are doing and try a paper only when there seems to be a lot
of people who really like it.  When I eliminate the thick ones
(significantly over 10 mils) that keeps the number of papers to a minimum.
Then I stick the paper in the fader and see how it does.  Museo faded faster
than EAM (the champ) but it actually color shifted less -- really a rather
good performance.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com