Digital BW, The Print

Mitch,


>> 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.

>1. What inks are you using? 

The prints I'm hanging were made on the 7500 with my UT-FSN+ (modified MIS
UT-FSN -- see http://home1.gte.net/res09aij/7500-FS-Readme.htm ).  

>2. Do the ULtrachrome inks have the same dmax and dynamic range 
>on Epson Premium Semimatte?

I would think so -- or close.

>> I spray these with PremierArt Print Shield and dry mount them.  
>>I think the finish is very competitive with my air-dried fiber prints.

>Does the spray elominate bronzing?

Yes.

> I also like Semi-Matte but have solved the bronzing 
>problem, and increased dmax, by laminating ...

That works.  

>> 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.

>Absolutely, the problem is from matte paper: in his book, The Print, 
>Ansel Adams states that the reflective range of glossy-typers is 
>something like 1-100 while that of matte paper is 1-25, ...

There is a place for both, but the "glossy" (not a very good term for these
semi-matte prints) or "barrier" papers and pigment printing technology seem
to be coming of age.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com