Digital BW, The Print

Thanks for the report on Fiba Photo. I have a few samples but have not tried it 
yet with Ultrachrome. I am interested in using it as a replacement for Epson 
Enhanced Matte for my clients who like good color gamut and dmax but don't 
want to spend as much on a print.

As for the other two Innova papers the Smooth Cotton and Soft Texture, I have 
done a lot of monochrome prints with them this week and the more I use these 
two papers the more I like them. I haven't had any flaking or scuffing yet and I 
find them extremely subtle tonally, but tough papers with good blacks and 
great texture. I'm glad their here.

John





--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Clayton Jones" <
cj@c...> wrote:
> 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