Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Mark Tucker" <mark@m...> wrote:
> Antonis/Martin/Group:
> 
> I just spent some time looking through the FILES section of this 
> board. Some very good resources there. But unless I've missed 
> it, I'd love to see one database of paper qualities, dmax ratings, 
> pros and cons, etc. Have I overlooked it?


Mark,

there is "Inkjet data081601.sit " under Paper data in our Files. I made it 
originally (April 01) for my own use trying to sort out what papers worked for 
piezo. There are two shortcomings: It is in FileMaker Pro 5 format (that not 
everyone has) and it is limited to piezo dmax readings. On the plus side, it 
covers a lot of papers with a lot of characteristics listed - or at least allowed to 
be listed, i.e. the fields are there to be filled out.
If you (or anyone here) has FileMaker Pro, by all means, please download for 
a spin and let me know what you think. One of the "features" is that the info 
from the various vendors is first downloaded as is from their site and saved 
wholesale in a field. So even if not all database fields are filled out, or even if 
there are errors in price fields, you can always refer to what the actual info on 
the site was at the time it was captured.


> If not, I think we could create something that would be very useful 
> for many people. Could we actually get close to determining the 
> "best" paper for various applications? 

Yes, aiming for the "best" or "most popular" certainly cuts to the chase and 
avoids a lot of busy work trying to list thousands out there.



I have no idea what this 
> would look like; one big database, or several small ones, listed 
> by inksets (quads, 6color dyes, Variable quad, etc). Or by final 
> applications (proofing, fine art output, etc).

Both good ideas that could easily be integrated to the existing database. 


> These would be some of the things I'd like to see in a database:
> 
> * Paper Type (watercolor, glossy)
> * Most compatible inks
> * Paper surface (smooth, rough)
> * Brightness/whiteness
> * DMax numbers
> * Any optical brighteners?
> * Acidity rating
> * Paper weight
> * Sizes available
> * Street prices
> * Available sources

All of these are exisitng fields in my database. Some are hard to quantify or 
condense in a single word (smooth, rough), but they are there.




> 
> It would be great if this could be set up where each member 
> could add his/her own comments to it. Maybe a PDF format with 
> Annotations? Or a separate database for each paper, and then 
> people just add new entries?

Check out Database>Paper Choices on our group site. I set this up, precisely 
so that members could put in their paper preferences. Unfortunately, it hasn't 
worked (beyond a couple of people) because there needs to be a constant 
reminder to go fill this out. If you have a better suggestion, I am all ears.



>Personally, I'm looking for a smooth, 
> very heavy, watercolor paper to print warmtone B/W photographs 
> on. Something with rich blacks. Right now, I'm printing with 
> 6-color dyes, but I'd be willing to switch to variable quads if there 
> was good evidence to switch. And something with relatively long 
> expected life, but I know that's a whole other conversation.

Sure. We call it the Holy Grail, but it's OK to look for it. Don't tell me you' d also 
like it to have the sheen of double weight fiber glossy air dried????
I am only semi-kidding. I am looking for the same as are countless others. I bet 
your 6 color dyes get better black and can deal with glossy where piezo can't.
And as far as expected life...  I wouldn't want to sign any papers for now.

And lastly: I have been overwhelmed by posts and unable to enter all the 
comments and subtleties of usage coming from end-users of papers into my 
database. But I have another database monster that I am deliberating whether 
to make public: about 500 messages with the most important commentary and 
info from the piezo and this list since about 5/3/2001. Lots of serious opinions 
on papers. Not enough time for me to process and put in the paper database. I 
will probably catch up this fall. For the moment, I remain a piezoBW user with 
Hahnemuhle papers desperately waiting for the new one to arrive. By then , 
who knows, MIS VT looks like a serious contender as do other new papers....

Many thanks for your interest and initiative.

Antonis