Digital BW, The Print

I just got done printing on my mint 4000 BO on LexJet Premium 
SemiMatte, at 2880 dpi, hight speed ON.  Sure enough, it is 
incredible.  It warm to be sure, but that's OK by me.

So:  Life may be full of compromises, but life is also full of 
possibilities!

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Roark" 
<paul.roark@v...> wrote:
> 
> >... the issue of "deep black" Dmax.
> >I think you hit it right on the head, about inkjet printers...
> 
> My latest Epson Premium Semimatte ("PSM") prints have a dmax and 
dynamic
> range that exceed the traditional B&W silver print by a significant 
margin.
> 
> 
> I spray these with PremierArt Print Shield and dry mount them.  I 
think the
> finish is very competitive with my air-dried fiber prints.
> 
> However, due to the spray, these have a washable surface (unlike a 
silver
> print in my experience).   So, I'm experimenting with framing with 
no glass.
> This eliminates the reflections and makes the entire dynamic range 
much more
> accessible.  I think this is the best B&W medium I've seen.
> 
> So, I think matte paper is a major source of the problem.  It's not 
digital
> or "carbon" printing, per se, that is the source of the low dmax.
> 
> The latest "barrier papers" (also known as "RC" prints) can hit 
between 2.3
> and 2.5 dmax.  Silver in the lab hit 2.2, but in most of my real 
world
> prints the dmax was about 1.9.  
> 
> I never liked the old RC silver prints.  But these latest inkjet 
materials,
> when sprayed (or maybe "Glopped") have a very nice finish.  I 
especially
> like the Semimatte finish.  It's not the old RC.
> 
> Another persuasive factor for me was is the Wilhelm ">200 years" 
rating to
> the Epson Premium Semimatte, Semigloss & Luster papers.
> 
> With the barrier (polyethylene) in the back and the lacquer spray 
in the
> front, these pigments are "encapsulated," offering some significant
> protection from environmental hazards (abrasion, water, 
fingerprints, UV,
> perhaps pollutants). 
> 
> Seeing is believing.  Try some or ...
> 
> I'll be hanging two 22x28, unglazed prints (and some other matte-
under-glass
> prints) in the local Gallery Los Olivos' "New Perspectives" show 
next month
> (Feb. 2005).  I hope some forum members within easy driving 
distance will be
> able to come by and see what these "encapsulated carbon" prints can 
do.  I
> think silver has met its match.
> 
> So, back to the subject line, I think an increasingly large part of 
the way
> forward requires glossy-compatible inks.
> 
> By the way, the Gallery Los Olivos reception on Feb. 5, from 2-4, 
is open to
> all and all are invited.  Additionally I sit at the gallery Feb. 
3.  Hope to
> see a few of you.
> 
> Paul
> www.PaulRoark.com