Digital BW, The Print

Michael,

I, too, had long heard the claim that PremierArt Hot Press was the same paper as Epson Ultrasmooth. The substrate may be the same, but the coating is most definitely NOT! I much preferred the results I got from Epson Ultrasmooth.

In direct comparison, under different light sources, I found the "color" of Entrada Natural to be identical to Epson Ultrasmooth and PA Hot Press; at least, to my eye. And, Entrada's surface characteristics is nearly the same, too. The 300gsm paper seems to have slightly more surface imperfection than the 190gsm, but this is probably to be expected from a thicker (card stock type) paper. I've got all test prints displayed together in my living room, and I'm watching 'em closely to see which I like best under various light levels and light sources.

Interesting that you mention that Entrada Natural doesn't contain OB brighteners...I compared this paper to some EEM that had been exposed to typical inside (house) air and general pollutants, and found the base paper "color" to be not that different from Entrada Neutral. Could it be that once the OB bleach out of these papers that their color is not so different than non-OB papers? Hmm....

Alan Huntley

> 
> From: "Michael Pilla" <mpphoto@...>
> Date: 2004/07/01 Thu PM 03:52:15 EDT
> To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [Digital BW] Re: Best paper for B/W?
> 
> I'd like to add to this post since Entrada neutral is quickly becoming my new favorite too. I 
> tested Entrada against PremierArt Fine Art which is supposed to be the same as Epson 
> UltraSmooth. I expected PremierArt to render a "sharper" image because of it's smoother 
> surface but I found that the Entrada gave a sharper image. I find the color of the Entrada 
> very pleasing as well. It's not bright white (no optical brighteners) but it's not so "beigey" 
> either.
> 
> Same specs here, Epson 2200, matte black inkset, IP driver
> Michael
> 
> 
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, <Alan.Huntley@c...> wrote:
> > 
> > Just last night I tested Moab Entrada Bright White and Natural against EEM, Epson Velvet 
> FA, Epson Ultrasmooth, HPR, and PremierArt Hot Press. As expected, all have a different 
> "look", but my initial impression is that I'm really liking the Entrada Natural. My next 
> favorites are the Epson Velvet and Ultrasmooth. Surface and base paper color of Entrada 
> Natural, to my eye/feel, looks nearly identical to Ultrasmooth. But, it seems to print a little 
> "brighter" on my Epson 2200, UC inks, with IP driver.
> > 
> > I'll have to live with these test prints for a few weeks but, so far, I think Entrada Natural 
> will be my new primary paper of choice.
> > 
> > Alan Huntley