Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Steve Kale" 
<stevekale@b...> wrote:
> I am curious.  I do not have a wetroom background.  How would one 
describe the difference 
> in texture between a traditional fibre print and, say, Epson 
Premium Luster.  Ignore ink for 
> the moment - just the comparison of two sheets of blank white 
paper.  On a scale of 1 to 10 
> are we at 2 (nowhere near the goal) or at, say, an 8 (close but no 
cigar)?  Of course this is 
> very subjective and perhaps I should go to a Lab and ask for a 
blank fibre print so that I can 
> form my own opinion but I am wondering whether we 
collectively/generally think we are 
> close or miles away.
> 
> Steve
> 
> (as you can tell I am very impressed with the K3 inks and it seems 
we are just missing the 
> texture of the underlying substrate)

Steve;

It's hard to describe the difference in look and feel; Air dried 
glossy isn't really 'glossy', (they don't get high-gloss until 
ferrotyped) the level of sheen it has is closest perhaps to Epson 
semi-matte with the glop applied. That was one of the reasons I was 
initially so excited about glop. But there is a textural difference 
as well: all the RC papers are either too smooth and/or glossy, or 
have too mechanical looking a surface texture. I would put the 
premium luster in the later category. Fiber papers all have subtle 
differences in the particular surface texure, but they generally 
look more organically textured somehow, like the difference in fine 
real leather versus synthetic naugahide. There is also a difference 
in heft and stiffness, but as another member points out, that is no 
longer a factor once the prints are mounted. IMO the Epson semi-
matte & glop are at about an 8-8.5, and everything else falls short 
by varying degrees in terms of imitating air dried fiber. Image 
quality is another issue entriely. 

I don't agree at all that the matte papers (EEM? gimme a break!) are 
anywhere close to it, but I do appreciate that they have a look and 
beauty of their own. If you are willing to make the adjustment, the 
only area they really lack is in dmax-if we could get matte papers 
up to a 2.0+ I for one would be perfectly willing to go that route.