Digital BW, The Print

I have read a few of the posts on flaking and can concur regarding my
first sample of 
Entrada. I recently ( two weeks ago) completed a handmade hardcover
book project where 
the photos were to be printed seperately and attached to the pages of
the book ( made 
from Arches hot press watercolor paper). I was working on a deadline
and received the 
Moab Entrada 190 Bright White the day before I needed to print 12
images for each book, 
36 in all. I decided to make a test print that day and the next day
when i went to do my 
final prints i looked closely and the surface of the Moab was
liberally sprinkled with white 
dots. I called Moab and they at first said it might be flaking from
the cut edges and could 
be dealt with by using compressed air and wiping down. When I
explained the extent of 
the problem, they asked for the lot number and said that the lot I
purchased (from Lexjet) 
was indeed defective. They said that there was a problem in the
baking process, too hot or 
too cold ovens I can't quite recall. What is interesting is that this
batch was not in their 
website section on recalled papers, and Lexjet had not been informed
regarding the 
situation. Had I not closely inspected the test print I could have
produced all the books 
and not known until it was too late so I was very lucky. Moab has
been very quick to 
replace the paper and I was considering it an abberation until I read
the recent posts here. 
Hmmmm.. We really can't have this can we? Why have archival paper if
you can't depend 
on the basic stability of the surface. Maybe this is something that
could be tested along 
with lightfastness. Anyhow, I managed to get some Epson Radiant White
Watercolor paper 
which did a very nice job using the neutral settings in Advanced
Black and White mode in 
my Epson 2400. 

The bad batch serial number is BK4-249-1 (look on the back of the
box)  

----------------------------------------------------------------------
>Actually, while it's rare, I've seen flakes on EEM 
> 
> Same here.  EEM definitely will do it on occasion.
> 
> 
> >>...all 100 % cotton papers have this problem ...
> > 
> >It's a matter of degree.  Innova papers are much better than most, 
> >and Epson UltraSmooth & PremierArt fine art papers are arguably 
> >better yet.
> 
> Agreed again, it does happen with those.  The worst in my
experience,
> by far, is Entrada, even after vigorous wiping and strong compressed
> air burst.
> 
> 
> Regards,
> Clayton
> 
> 
> Info on black and white digital printing at    
> http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm