Digital BW, The Print

Evan,


> i typically print on Epson Premium Semi-Gloss with MIS FSN & PK, 
>but am interested in trying Premium Semi-Matte.

>...can anyone offer a comparison of the two? 

Looking the the test strips I recently did on the 7500 with the UT-FSN+
inkset, which uses a combined MIS PK and dark gray to generate the black
these the are relative results I see:

D-max -- Semimatte has the edge. 

Brightness -- The white C, M, Y, Visual Density readings are:
        PSM: .04, .03, .02, .04
        PSG: .06, .05, .03, .05
    So, Semigloss is a bit more cyan, but Semimatte is a bit brighter.
    Wilhelm claims PSG has no brighteners and PSM does.

Finish -- Semimatte has a finer-grained texture

Bronzing -- Semimatte wins. 
  
Longevity -- Wilhelm lists both as having a dark storage of ">200 years."
My acid test pen suggests PSG is more highly buffered inside.  The fade
results seem to generally favor PSG, but it depends on the conditions.  See
http://www.wilhelm-research.com/epson/SP4000.html 

Photo K is required for both papers.

Hope this helps.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com