Digital BW, The Print

Michael,  Mi Amigo, 

You bring up another good topic.  Here are a few points I have to offer:

1.  The Piezo or MIS Quadtone print is very different than ordinary RC or standard photos
    A. Printed on Matte Surface paper
    B. Coated Papers
    C. Carbon inks

2.  Prints made with these quadtone inks may be more prone to handling damage due to the possibility of "sheen" and flaking (depending on papers used) and "dirt/oil transfers" due to oily/dirty fingers touching the mat coated paper stock (which sucks liquid/oil like a sponge).  

3.  Because the Prints could show "sheen" or scrapes or scuffs (of the carbon) more easily...and perhaps get dirty faster....I would avoid letting prints be "handled" unattended if at all possible.  

If you are there to watch the handling...it will likely keep people very careful.  IF the prints are just sent in a box to a gallery or some person (average Joe) handles them on their own (unless another fine art photographer lets say) I would suspect the prints would show it pretty quickly by damage and dirt/oil on the papers or print area.  

While I am very impressed with the Piezo ink durability and permanence, I do think they deserve to be covered in glass to maintain a pristine surface.  That is counter to the way most typical photos are handled by the masses though.  Most people are accustomed to "fingering" the print.  

Consider a wedding album for instance.  Once sold, it goes through many hands.  Most wedding albums display the prints in mats but without even mylar or poly to cover the prints.  This seems to work for standard photo prints...but I doubt it would be appropriate for a Carbon Quadtone print.  I suspect that if the album were filled with Carbon Quadtone prints....over time they would quickly show "scuffs and sheen" in the black areas of the image. Even worse, the white brides dress would likely pick up oil and dirt over time.  I do not think this light level of damage/wear would be apparent in the first few months...so most wedding photographers if using quadtone prints (few do) would not be worried about the longevity.  

IF the subject/print is to be considered a "FINE ART PRINT" and is expected to be treated as such...with cotton gloves so to speak...then the open mats in a box would be my preference so as to show the paper surface/texture and the mat surface of the inked areas.  

Just a few thoughts here.  
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: mkravit 
  To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2002 10:50 AM
  Subject: [Digital BW] Print Storage Options


  Image storage has always been a bit of a debate for me. I was 
  wondering if some of the folks here on this list might want to 
  describe how they store their prints.

  Up until now I would print my portfolio images at 11x14 and place 
  them in Light Impressions Master Edition Black Portfolio Binders. 
  They make lovely presentations and look nice as volumes in a 
  bookcase. The acid free sheet protectors allow people to flip pages 
  without touching the print.

  A told me that the "proper" way to archive and store portfolio images 
  is to print them at the actual presentation size (ie:16x20) and place 
  them in TrueCore drop front boxes. That way people can look through 
  the images by handling them and experiencing the texture and feel of 
  the image.

  I would love to know how others store their images.

  Mike 


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