Digital BW, The Print

>So the consensus is that this paper aside from being cotton
>is not worth using even at the decent price.

I don't agree with this assessment.

Epson "UltraSmooth," now sold in smaller sizes as PremierArt Scrapbook
paper, was the first non-flaking cotton paper.  I'm not sure there is
currently any other cotton paper that can claim to be non-flaking.  That's a
fair accomplishment.

It may not have the dmax of EEM or PhotoRag, but it's competitive with
Entrada.

PremierArt also doesn't have the yellowing OBAs that PhotoRag and EEM have.
This may make those papers look good at first, but they won't age as well.
Frankly, I like the natural, non-brightened papers.

I'd say the surface of the PremierArt paper is tougher than PhotoRag (not
only with respect to abrasion but probably also air-borne pollutants -- note
the recent Hahnemuhle problems with packing tape outgassing).

Overall, this product in some respects is simply the best archival paper
there is.  For the prints I sell that are expected to last, UltraSmooth is
the paper I use -- printed with UT inks.

Paul
http://www.PaulRoark.com