Digital BW, The Print

There is a  thread on the Epsonx7x list has a lot of discussion about the
UltraChrome outgassing issue.  To save you the time of reading through the
entire thread, here is a summary of what I have gleaned from it.  What an
Epson representative said about the issue was reported by lthown on 12/10.

There have been a number reports of UltraChrome prints causing a fog to
appear on the inside of glass frames (or plastic bags that the prints are
stored in) even when the prints have been left to air dry for 24 hours
before being framed.

Epson's response appears to be that the fog is caused by outgassing.

Apparently the glycols in the ink take a long time to totally dry out.  An
Epson rep appears to recommend that the prints be "cured" with a plain piece
of paper in contact with the print for 24 hours.  The paper helps absorb the
water.  With prints that have a heavy ink load it might be necessary to
change the paper after 24 hrs and let it sit another 24 hrs.

The problem apparently arises with any print on an RC paper that is
framed under glass.  The RC paper makes a barrier on one side, and the glass
on the other side.

The Epson rep apparently said that even letting the print dry for 2 weeks
may not outgas the print completely.

I could not tell from the thread whether this problem is unique to the
UltraChrome inks or not.  We've heard of this paper-curing procedure with
respect to other inksets also.  So, the problem may not be new; it may be
just a matter of degree.

I've been told that one way the new inks achieve higher gamut is by holding
a higher load of pigment.  This apparently comes from having a different
base/medium in which the pigments are suspended.  So, it may be that this
base has more of a problem than the older ink base.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com