Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Martin Wesley" 
<mwesley250@e...> wrote:
SNIP
> In reading reflective density of inkjet prints there is the issue 
that the paper is not completely opaque. You can see light though 
even the heaviest papers we are using. So when measuring image 
density the print being measured needs to be backed up with an opaque 
material. My question is should this be white, as in stacking up 
several pieces of paper under the print or should it be black?
SNIP

Martin:  

Paul Roark and I discovered this discrepancy recently when reporting 
on the offwhite EAM when I asked him exactly how he made his 
measurements with his swatchbook because I was not getting the same 
results.  I had discovered, as I played with my new 
swatchbook, that backing color and opacity DOES make a difference.   
As you have now discovered, the standard of practice is, and typical
instructions say to use an opaque black backing to absorb any back 
reflected light.  However, the reasoning that I use to justify an 
opaque white backing (like Paul) is that I frame my prints and use an 
opaque white backing. So I want to measure what I will see.  
Consistancy (using the same backing color and opacity) is also very 
important. 

Jeff Randall