Digital BW, The Print

>... At the Media Street website they
>state that their Enhanced Generations Black is rated by Wilhelm
>beyond 100 years before noticeable fading occurs. That sounds
>impressive. Any comments?

In my testing the Media Street Enhanced Gen Black is not nearly as lightfast
as the black inks in inksets that have been rated at 100+ years.  That is,
the UltraChrome Matte black and the Epson Archival black, which are in
inksets that Wilhelm rates up in the 100+ (for B&W only for the UC), perform
far better than the Gen 4 Enhanced (with 25% dye, I believe) black I've
tested.

Now, it may be that Wilhelm tests the color inksets at, for example, 50%
density, so that there is simply no significant black ink present.  If that
is the case, then the test would be of the color pigments, not the black
ink.  (Of course, I don't think third-party color pigments are as long-lived
as UltraChrome color pigments either, and the color UltraChromes don't make
the 100+ class from what I've seen.)

So, have you really seen *Wilhelm* say Gen Enhanced K is 100+ years?

I'd like to see some substantiation of the 100+ year claim for Gen Enhanced
K.  To say I'm skeptical is an understatement.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com

(PS for Norm -- I spent 25 years as a FTC consumer protection & antitrust
attorney.)