Digital BW, The Print

Bob  

I don¹t recall what printer you are using but I just noticed that Epson
Premium Semi-Matt is available from Epson UK.  It appears that it is only
available for the large format printers and in roll form.

http://www.buyepson.co.uk/category.asp?mainunit=C11C472001&category_name=Ink
jet+media&dept=Consumables

Regards

Steve


From: "Paul Roark" <paul.roark@verizon.net>
Reply-To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sat, 13 Dec 2003 09:51:47 -0800
To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: RE: [Digital BW] Semi matte, PremierArt Print Shield & The Holy
Grail

Bob,

>What is the difference between Premium semi-matte and Premium semi-gloss? I
>can only get semi-gloss in the UK.

Visually, the semi-gloss actually has a bit more texture after it's sprayed.
I prefer its look (and higher dmax -- 2.39).

I notice in the Epson descriptions of the papers that semi-matte can take
lamination -- hot and cold -- whereas semi-gloss does not list that as a
feature.

The sizes that are available in the U.S. indicate that semi-matte is aimed
at pros, whereas the semi-gloss is aimed at consumers.  The lamination
compatibility may be the reason.  In the U.S., large rolls and sizes of
semi-gloss beyond 13" wide are not available.  And the literature on the
Epson 4000 indicate that semi-matte will be available in 17x22 sheets and
16" rolls, but semi-gloss will not be.  On the other hand, I notice 24" and
larger rolls are available outside the U.S. (some of these are not the "250"
weight, however).

In Wilhelm tests, the semi-gloss does 50% or more better in all the fade
measures.  (Dark storage is >200 years for both.)  It may be that the
surface characteristics that aid lamination make the pigments more exposed.
If it's a matter of how well the surface protects the pigment, this
difference might disappear after spraying, but the marketing disadvantage
will not disappear.  I'll probably run some comparative fade tests of
sprayed samples.  

I'll also try dry-mounting both papers to see if they can both take the head
of the press.

Right now, however, I will opt for the semi-gloss if I can find a reasonable
way to get the large sizes in the U.S.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com 
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