Digital BW, The Print

Hello Allan,

>why is it that EEM, with OBAs, turns yellow, but that you suggest 
>that this paper, also with OBAs, is more archival?
>...is the yellowing a result of solely the OBAs, or because of some 
>other characteristic of EEM in particular?  If it's from the OBAs, 
>does that mean that all papers with OBAs will yellow, either at all 
>or as much as EEM?

I don't think EEM yellows because of OBAs (unless it uses really
crummy ones).  It yellows (I'm pretty sure) because it contains
lignens and may also not be completely acid free.  Whatever the
reason, it does it with alarming swiftness.  There are many archival
(acid and lignen free) papers with OBAs that don't change noticeably,
even after several years unprotected by glazing under nearly constant
light.  The subject of OBAs is an ongoing controversy with
disagreement even among "experts".  There is more information about
this at the bottom of the "Great Paper Chase" article at the web link
below.



>I realize that I am using "archival" incorrectly - EEM doesn't 
>actually fade, right? 

Right.  Papers don't fade, inks fade.  So we have to be clear which we
are referring to in our discussions.  If we speak of a print fading
we're usually talking about an ink problem, although a given ink may
fade at different rates on different papers.  Clear as mud? <g>


Regards,
Clayton


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