Digital BW, The Print

In Harald Johnson's book the shortest Epson paper lifetime with UC inks is 71 years framed
under glass. Unframed it is 48 years. These are for the photo papers with some gloss/
luster/semimatte.

If you are talking B&W using all 7 ink colors the lifetimes are much longer.

You could also get the Epson paper sample book and compare?

they only make a very few lusters and they are probably different thicknesses?  measure
thickness and compare to specs on Epson's website?

These days the ink is less likely to limit the longevity than the paper, though of course
there are exceptions to everything.

Scott



--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Peter Aronson" <groups@e...> 
wrote:
> 
> I need help identifying some mystery paper...
> 
> A client of mine wants an 11x14 print and I'm out of inks at the
> moment, and because of the logistical difficulties of getting stuff
> sent here to Mexico City quickly and economically, I've been looking
> at the possibility of just having a lab print this one image rather
> than waiting until my supplies arrive. The client isn't especially
> interested in the process as long as it's going to last.
> 
> At one reputable local lab, they offered me several options:
> 
> -Print on H. German Etching using an Epson 4000 and Epson OEM
> Ultrachrome inks... for 40 dollars(!). I saw an example and wasn't
> very impressed with the dmax or what seemed to be the very warm tone
> of the paper (nothing against warm paper, just not right for this
> image). I don't know whether it's even necessary, but it also seems
> they don't brush the paper before printing.
> 
> -Print on the same 4000 using the same inks but using some
> unidentified Epson roll paper with a lustre finish (which they called
> matte, but it's a kind of bumpy RC look)... for about 7 dollars.
> 
> -Print on Fuji Crystal Archive paper using a photochemical process.
> 
> I asked them to make me one each of the last two, but I was wondering
> if anyone can help me identify this mystery paper so I can determine
> the print's likely longevity. The technician, obviously not an expert
> in inkjet printing, tried to convince me that the print's longevity is
> determined solely by the type of inks used (UC) and has nothing to do
> with the paper. (Ummm....)
> 
> I asked 3 people at the lab and none of them could tell me which Epson
> paper it is, just that, you know, it's photo paper made by Epson. They
> had several rolls of it on hand, but none were in boxes, just wrapped
> in plastic.
> 
> Any ideas as to what this paper might be and how archival (if at all)
> this print will be?
> 
> Peter