Digital BW, The Print

Thanks to Don--and to Paul once again for the detailed info. This gives  
me a good starting point. Main question was would I be able to use this  
for some portrait work without getting stability complaints after a  
couple years. I'm looking at this system as an inexpensive way to stick  
a toe in the water before making a bigger investment down the  
road...but if I can get saleable work out of it in the process, that's  
a bonus.

Am looking forward to experimenting and will definitely report back  
with any worthwhile learning. Paul, you deserve a medal for your  
tireless support and advancement of digital B&W.

Thanks guys,
Doug

>    Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2004 08:10:44 -0700
>    From: "Paul Roark" <paul.roark@...>
> Subject: RE: Favorite GLOSSY papers for UTEZ/C84?
>
> Doug,
>
>> I prefer the more traditional look of glossy or pearl papers. Most of
>> the talk here seems to be about matte styles. What do those of you
>> actually using the UTEZ/C84 combo for glossy/semigloss prefer? My
>> ideals would be archival enough to sell prints without a disclaimer,
>> little or no bronzing and a price that's not as outrageous as some of
>> the matte papers.
>
> I suspect the only glossy paper line that is "archival" (and I  
> question the
> archival quality of any plastic, RC paper) is Epson's "Premium" line
> (Wilhelm 200 year+ storage life).  My favorite is the Epson Premium
> Semigloss.  However, I think it needs a spray with PremierArt Print  
> Shield
> to control bronzing and protect the surface.
>
> I like the looks of a sprayed Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl even better  
> --
> great dmax.  However, it is a 30 year paper, probably due to its  
> acidity.  A
> spray on the back with Wei T'o will make it "acid free," but I'm not  
> sure
> how long it will stay that way.
>
> The only readily available paper I know of that is artifact free and  
> does
> not need a spray to protect it is Epson Glossy Photo Paper.  It is  
> thinner
> than I'd like and not archival.  It too can be sprayed on the back and  
> will
> then test as "acid free" -- for a while.  However, my tests show that  
> within
> a few months the lignin in the paper will have already overwhelmed the
> buffer if the spray was just a single light one.  I don't know how  
> much Wei
> T'o would be needed to keep the paper acid free for a reasonable time.
>
> Epson sells a roll paper -- Glossy Paper Heavyweight -- that has better
> paper and is made for long term display and storage.  See
> http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/ProductMediaSpec.jsp? 
> BV_UseBVCookie=yes&i
> nfoType=Overview&oid=-8813&category=Paper+%26+Media  (cut and paste the
> URL).
[SNIP]
> Some experiments may be needed.
>
> Good luck, let us know what you come up with.
>
> Paul
> www.PaulRoark.com