Digital BW, The Print

Richard,


>>I don't trust dye-formed prints at all and will not use them for any photo
>>that I want to last for any significant time.

>Isn't the new HP Premium Plus / Colourfast paper with the HP 59 cart an
>exception?

No.

I applaud the companies working on extending the dye technology.  The
swellable coatings with HP dye (which I believe is a fairly standard dye)
have turned in much better fade tests than many of the earlier papers.  But,
they are not in the same fade class as the predominantly carbon pigment B&W
inksets or printing methods.

Even if the dye systems turned in a fade result equal to the "carbon on
cotton," I would not have the same confidence in the artificial papers as I
have in the cotton-based papers.

I also have more confidence in the post-printing sprays to seal the pigments
than I do in the "swellable" coatings.  The classic B-72 acrylic formula,
for example, has been used by conservators for years.  (See, Ross Merrill,
Chief of Conservation, National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. (1997),
"This product will remain unchanged for 400 years ..."  
http://www.bmi.net/knapp/iapsmerrill.html )

So, I recommend the latest pigment inksets for longevity.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com