Digital BW, The Print

Steve,

>... One of the Semi-Gloss prints I sprayed with 
>Lyson Print Guard - 3 generous coats with drying time between each.  

>What is bronzing, ie what differences should I see...  
>I thought that _bronzing_ is the effect that occurs when the prints 
>catch light (i.e. viewed at an angle) and the image tends to look 
>metallic and begins to disappear. 

With the UT inks, I see a warm "bronze" reflection in the shadows, peaking
at about 70%.  Also, there is a reduction of the gloss level at 90 and 95%,
but then the 100% is quite glossy.

> I quite frankly can't see the difference between the sprayed and the 
>unsprayed Semi-Gloss prints in this regard. 

A couple factors come to mind.  First, while the PremierArt and Lyson sprays
appear to be the same, there could be minor differences.  The only test
strip that I sprayed with Lyson did not show as much reduction in bronzing
as the PremierArt test strip.  I thought this was just inconsistent
techniques, but maybe not.  I'll try to do a more controlled test when I
have more paper.

Second, of course, the Epson UC inks may be different than the MIS UT inks
in their bronzing.  However, I've heard fans of the semi-matte say how
wonderful it is with UC inks -- except for the bronzing.  So, I think it is
there.

Third, I was showing samples in an area that had windows on 3 sides and lots
of natural light flooding the room.  It was hard to see any differences in
that light.  So lighting may be a factor.  In my office, where I have
fluorescent lights, the bronze nearly fluoresces.  So, maybe the types of
lights are also a factor.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com