Digital BW, The Print

Paul,

I posted a message about a month ago on new EAM being warmer.  The 
paper I bought was also from Atlex, 8.5 x 11, Lot No. 02CC2004M. I 
found the same Lot No. at the local CompUSA, equally warm. And yes, 
it has weeker blacks. What size did you order? I have not contacted 
Epson yet, but perhaps we should.  I am not sure if this is a 
manufacturing anomaly, or if they have a new paper/coating.  
Honestly, this is really bad because EAM is THE inexpensive steady 
war-horse, or was until now.  I have yet to find another inexpensive 
paper with the attributes of EAM. I hope Epson rectifies this 
situation. 

Shilesh

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Paul Roark" 
<paul.roark@v...> wrote:
> I recently took delivery on some new EAM from Atlex.com, and it 
seems to be
> a slightly different coating than previous batches.  The paper 
looks a bit
> yellow, in fact, the X-Rite says it is just 0.01 density units 
darker.  The
> blacks are weak -- 1.61 v. 1.68 for the last batch -- and the 
profile is
> different.  I tweaked my 3000 curves to adjust to the new coating, 
but I'm
> not happy with this batch of EAM.  (It is still called "Archival" 
matte.)
> The Dmax is about the same as Legion Photo Matte, and the paper 
looks yellow
> and dull in comparison.
> 
> Has anyone who has noticed this difference contacted Epson about it?
> Frankly, I want the old coating.  This new batch of paper I 
received just is
> not as good.
> 
> I also took delivery of a MediaStreet.com package of their Royal 
Renaissance
> (189), which they claim is PhotoRag.  It is packaged incorrectly.  
The side
> marked "Print this side" is the back of the paper.  Use 
the "tongue" or
> "lips" test.  The sticky side is the coated side.
> 
> I had not used Royal Renaissance of PhotoRag 189 before.  I find it 
is very
> sensitive to the pizza wheels of the 3000 -- the most affected 
paper I've
> used.  Have others noticed the problem of surface blemished caused 
by the
> printer's wheels?
> 
> Paul
> http://www.PaulRoark.com