Digital BW, The Print

Hello All,

I've been testing the Innova Fiba Photo paper and want to pass along
something I discovered about it.  When fresh out of the printer it
seems to be extremely susceptible to flaking.  If scratched with a
fingernail the ink comes off easily, as if it's just sitting on the
surface with little adhesion.  I was making test prints and handling
them right away and there were lots of flakes.  But the next day they
seemed quite resistant to scratching and scuffing.  I sent a sample
print to someone who reported it arrived fine and has not shown any
flaking.  So apparently the flakes are ink flakes and not coating
flakes, and the prints need to be carefully set aside to dry for some
period of time, at least several hours it seems.

Would be good if other users can verify this and perhaps determine
more precisely the drying time needed.  I was using Eboni only, and
perhaps other inks might be different.

The Fiba Photo paper has some good qualities and is worth exploring. 
It has a very smooth hard surface which makes an excellent BO print
(less apparent graininess), and has an ink color (using Eboni) similar
to PhotoRag.  Dmax is as good or slightly better than PR (to the eye,
not measured with an instrument).  Very impressive.  Visually it looks
much like PR, although it lacks the nice tactile qualities of a thick
cotton paper when handheld.  

The info sheet says it is "modeled on the traditional fibre-based
material used in conventional photography".  I don't know how to
describe it, so will just say it really is quite nice and is worth
getting a sample to try.

It's an alpha cellulose paper, made in England, and Jim says that as
far as he can determine it is considered an archival paper (acid and
lignen free, etc).  It's very bright so probably has OBAs.

BTW, I ordered a box and it came in a horrible plastic folding box
contraption which caused much aggravation, and after rassling with
it for a few days ended up transferring the paper to a spare box from
another paper.  Good paper, bad box.


Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm