Digital BW, The Print

> I'm puzzled.  Did people coat "air dried fibre prints"  (is that the right
> term that people attach to fine darkroom prints?)?  I understand coating to
> make up for the current (and reducing) deficiencies in inkjet printing but I
> am wondering if this is the short term goal or whether we are already
> reaching beyond this.

Steve I will say I am without a doubt doing what you are suggesting-first making up 
deficiencies then intend to reach beyond. But in my case I feel the deficiencies are still very 
significant. This is in part due to my bride's expression (she's a commecial/architectural 
photographer) when I hand her an inkjet print of her work. That dog just won't hunt. Sure 
they work some of the time, but I want very high visual integrity and we are willing to look 
hard for it. I understand everyones idea about what they want is different. I have made 
many prints I am very proud of and everyone (clients esp) liked, but let's face it, there is 
work to do. But the most exciting thing to me is it's largely related to surface properties. 
Thankfully surfaces are...er...well...surfaces which are accessible. I think if Epson or other 
companies spent umpteen million dollars on ink development over the next ten years the 
positive result would pale in comparison to what surface scientists could come up with 
using current inks going after wider color and dmax. Thus my interest in coating.
> 
> 
> > From: helen_bach2003 <helenbach@h...>
> > Reply-To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
> > Date: Thu, 19 May 2005 16:21:36 -0000
> > To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
> > Subject: [Digital BW] Re: Why don't more people coat after printing?
> > 
> > Like Paul, I coat all my glossy prints. I've switched from Macdonald
> > Sureguard - which gives a deeper gloss than Printshield, Imageshield
> > etc - to four coats of water-based Golden UVLS over a Golden GAC-500
> > isolation coat (thanks to Nick Nugent for suggesting the isolation
> > coat). I apply these coats with a roller, and my main problem is dust.
> > 
> > Apart from the extra work involved, it may be that a significant
> > number of people think that only matte prints signify 'Fine Art' and
> > therefore they look upon glossy prints with disdain. I don't wish to
> > comment on that attitude in polite company. However, I think that it's
> > fair to say that not all images suit a gloss finish, and that gloss
> > emphasises slight technical imperfections just as it does with
> > traditional silver printing.
> > 
> > Best,
> > Helen