Digital BW, The Print

Good news everyone!...   <as the professor in Futurama would say>

I just did some initial tests of the new Moab Entrada Fine Art paper (300 gsm / 
natural) on the 2200 and the results were very good indeed. With the OEM 
Ultratones, I was able to squeeze up to a good 1.68 dmax (Matte Black) which 
is very respectable and in line with other papers such as EAM and PhotoRag. 
This is the reading I got   _the next day_ which means it can be considered 
"for real".

The paper is coated on both sides and has the surface smoothness almost of  
a "hot press" sheet, but not quite as smooth. The feel of the sheet is fairly stiff, 
but still fed fine through the top of the 2200 - with some care. Probably a good 
candidate for feeding it from the back of the printer . Compared to the 310 
German Etching (aka Orwell, etc) it feels much stiffer and the surface a lot 
"harder" without the soft "blotting paper" feel of the G.E. 

I chose the natural color version of this paper which fits warm inksets just fine. 
I used only the gray and black from the 2200, and the results were very 
pleasing already. I imagine that the addition of a second gray (from the  
UltraTones) would just completely remove any hint of highlight dot - which I 
couldn't see in my samples anyway, since the ever so slight texture of the 
paper absorbs them.

There is a slight difference in the front to back textures, but not enough to be 
noticeable once an image is printed. It's probably the result of slightly different 
felts etc during manufacture rather than an intentional 2-surface option like the 
Eclipse.


Of course the best news is that all this comes at an astounding 38-47% lower 
price than PhotoRag or Royal Plush (Orwell). 
I compared a 25-sheet pack of 13x19 at mediastreet and inkjetgoodies:
PhotoRag 310 is $96 at inkjetgoodies; Royal Plush 310 is $82 at mediastreet.
This compares to $51 for the Moab Entrada 300 !  I didn't even want to see 
what  a double sided version of Photorag would run....

Considering that  the Entrada is 100% cotton, acid free and that the Natural 
contains no optical brighteners, it makes it the equal of all the other sheets we 
have been using for fine art prints. It is only a matter of personal preference 
whether to go with the look and feel of this paper or pay Hahnemuhle their 
high prices.

These observations are of course, the result of some very limited tests. I will 
have to try the paper at least with Piezotones and UltraTones to see how it 
holds up. Also, some real fade tests have to be done before we can reach 
final conclusions. For the moment, however, and for my own use, I will find it 
very hard to pay nearly double the price for the competing German imports.

I am about to upload the profile I made for this paper and the 2200 / OEM / MK 
(matte black) using IJC. Anyone on Mac OS 9 can download the free OPM 
http://www.bowhaus.com/inkjetcontrol/
and see for themselves what this paper looks like with these inks. I am sure 
the profile will work for the White version as well as the 190 gsm flavors. Look 
for it in the OPM section of our Files (accessible from the group home page).

Below is the contact for further info on the moab papers. The site doesn't 
mention the archival characteristics of these sheets, but the Moab printed 
price list does.

http://inkjetgoodies.com/main/moab.htm

So.... enjoy!  <g>

Antonis