Digital BW, The Print

Steadman,

Thank you for all the information. I does indeed sound like the 
answer for all us EAM users!

Waiting for this is going to be murder!!

If it comes out in Europe first maybe we can order some from an EU 
supplier.


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Steadman Uhlich" 
<steadmanuhlich@k...> wrote:
> Greetings!
> 
> The following post is an excerpt of what I sent to the Piezo list.  
I am using PiezoBW inks but the basics of the message may be of 
interest to people using other inks. 
> 
> I have great news.  After some careful testing of a new paper (it 
is scheduled to be distributed in the US in August/September), I have 
found what may be the IDEAL paper for archival BW prints.  That is a 
bold statement so let me back it up with some facts and observations:
> 
> 1. The paper in question is made by Hahnemuhle in Germany. And..no 
I don't work for them.  I just like their papers and those of other 
manufacturers too.
> 
> 2.  The paper is 100% rag, acid free,  white, and very very 
smooth!  I tested the paper with a Lineco ph test pen and it 
indicated deep purple (acid free-buffered) on the front coated side 
and lavender (acid free-neutral) on the backside.
> 
> 3.  The paper is comes in two weights 188gsm and 308gsm.
> 
> 4.  The paper is called Hahnemuhle Watercolor Rag Smooth  (HWRS)
> 
> Now here are some observations:
> 
> 5.  This paper is much smoother than Orwell, William Turner (190 or 
310), German Etching. Comparing the Orwell 310 and HWRS 308, the 
Orwell feels like sandpaper in the hand (blind touch test).  Big 
difference.  This is one of the smoothest papers I have felt...not 
counting glossy papers.  Think Mercedes paint job smooth. 
> 
> 6.   HWRS is even smoother than Museo or Concorde Rag (by a little 
for either).  It is so smooth that the 188 weight has the feel 
of...ready?......a baby's bottom.  That smooth.  As smooth as 
Conetech Matte/Hahnemuhle Matte/EAM. 
> 
> 7. HWRS is white and has the same tone as Orwell (not the same 
surface), similar to Museo, and very slightly warmer than EAM (which 
is very bright white).  I don't want you to think this is a warm tone 
paper like Allegretto or Concorde Rag though.  You have to see them 
side by side.  
> 
> 8.  HWRS comes in two weights and the lighter 188 has a very 
distinct feel to it.  I held it and EAM side by side (each in a 
different hand) and you can feel a  difference.  I can best describe 
it this way...EAM feels like a cheap index card.  HWRS feels like a 
piece of rag cotton writing paper.  I believe the rag fibers make a 
difference in the hand/feel of the paper.  The EAM is slightly 
stiffer while the HWRS has a suppleness that feels like quality.  
> 
> 9.  HWRS 308 is very substantial and feels almost the same as 
Orwell/William Turner 310 for weight. Identical I would say to feel 
it.  What do you expect?  But the smoother finish of the HWRS is 
noticeable too. 
> 
> Now some comparisons of the print using my test image.  By the way 
this image is the very same one I have used on all of my test 
papers.  I have described it before but here goes again...It is a 
real world test image of a portrait of a woman with luminous skin, 
18% grey solid backdrop, and the woman has jet black hair.  The skin 
tones, solid black areas, and solid grey areas are tough.  I am 
critical of detail in the skin/eyelashes etc.. I think this test 
image is better than a greyscale ramp because we all know what to 
look for in skin, eyes, hair, etc.. and the "natural look" is very 
important. 
> 
> 10.  HWRS printed better solid grey areas than Museo.  Nice even 
grey tones.
> 
> 11.  HWRS printed better black than Concorde Rag. More neutral 
black..deeper. 
> 
> 12.  HWRS (using Conetech Matte profile) printed identical image as 
Epson Archival Matte (EAM, using Conetech Matte Profile).  The only 
way I could tell them apart at first look was the slightly cooler 
tone of the EAM  in the "unprinted" border areas...and that was only 
when the two prints were overlapping.  When they are looked at one at 
a time, there is no visible difference.  This is good news for EAM 
fans who want the sharp details, high dmax, and also want a true 
archival paper that is acid free. 
> 
> 13.  Oddly, the HWRS printed a solid black that looked more neutral 
than EAM.  I say this is odd because the HWRS paper has a slightly 
(!) warmer tone in unprinted areas.  But the solid black area on the 
EAM has a slightly warmer look in black.  It must be the way the 
Piezo inks react to the paper coatings.  In short, when compared side 
by side or one overlapping the other, the EAM black looked slightly 
warmer than the HWRS black.  Surprised as I was, I looked at this 
very carefully several different times/ways in a color corrected 
lighting area.  While others may doubt this, I only post it because 
it was an observation.
> 
> 14.  HWRS printed "better" (seems darker because of smooth finish) 
solid blacks than Somerset Enhanced (SSE).  Using the very same 
image, the HWRS has smoother grey areas and finer details (eyelashes) 
and slightly deeper blacks.  While SSE is one of my favorite papers, 
HWRS has some distinct advantages for highly detailed work.  I say 
advantages...with some caveat.  The portrait image using HWRS now 
shows some of the fine line wrinkles that were not apparent in the 
SSE or Orwell prints of the same image!  A client (woman) may not 
want to see that level of detail!  So there are still good reasons to 
use papers with more texture.  Texture can hide some details you 
don't want seen.  If that is important, SSE may be the better choice.
> 
> Well, that is enough to get you started.  I am convinced that this 
paper is excellent for portraits and fine detailed images.  It is 
archival and made from a very reputable firm.  I will begin using it 
as soon as it is available.  Now for some likely questions: 
> 
> 15. How much is it?  
> I don't know.  I called Hahnemuhle and several distributors.  
Pricing is not set yet at the distributor level.  Will it cost more 
than EAM?  I should expect so and would not mind paying more for the 
quality and true archival character (and it doesn't say "Epson" all 
over the back either!).  I imagine it will price somewhere like Museo 
or Somerset Enhanced...the closest competitors in my opinion.
> 
> 16.  Who sells it?  
> Hahnemuhle distributors/dealers will.  Inkjetmall.com is a 
Hahnemuhle dealer.  Will they carry it?  I don't know.  I do hope Jon 
Cone will pick this one up ASAP and give us a good price.  That would 
make good business sense.  Let's hope.  The paper is NOT available at 
this time...it is on a boat crossing the Atlantic presumably...so 
don't sweat it or ask me where to get it.  No one in the US has it.  
That will change later in August/September.   
> 
> 17.  What Profile should I use?
> I printed the same image using the Orwell profile (on 308gsm) and 
Conetech Matte profile (on 188gsm).  Both looked excellent.  Almost 
identical. Only a little more ink in the shadow areas on the grey 
backdrop section of image.  Otherwise they looked identical.  If I 
had to choose one for this image (remember it has luminous skin) I 
would pick the CTM profile.  And let's not diminish the role of the 
profile.  A great profile yields great results on a great paper.  
> 
> For final comparison, I tried the same image on even another (will 
remain unnamed) 100% rag coated inkjet paper (300+ gsm).  The image 
looked vastly different.  You might say...no comparison in image 
quality. 
> 
> In sum, I can't wait to use this paper.  While it may not suit some 
needs, if you are looking for a matte paper that is truly archival 
and produces outstanding results with conetech profiles and inks, 
this paper will surprise you.  It surprised me...pleasantly.
> 
> Good light to all,   its late now so must sign off....
> 
> Steadman
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]