Digital BW, The Print

Walt,

I'm using the MIS K4 (both in a 2400 and in a 4000, without the LLK  
in the latter) and CSR does exhibit slight bronzing and GD with both  
printers.  As John noted a light coat of Printshield will eliminate  
this problem.  The nozzle check patches exaggerate the bronzing and  
GD.  I've also made comparisons using Hahnemuhle FA Pearl and Innova  
F Type.  The H pearl surface looks almost the same as the CSR (but on  
a whiter paper base) and it also has about the same level of bronzing  
and GD.  Innova F Type has a slightly glossier surface, but exhibits  
essentially no bronzing or GD and unlike the other two papers it does  
not require Printshield treatment.  Except for the surface  
imperfections, the Innova F Type looks most like my air dried silver  
prints.  Recent discussions indicate that there are batches with a  
smoother surface.  Mine was in the boxes with the blue label.  Note  
that all of these comments are specific to MIS K4 inks which tend to  
produce a slightly lower gloss compared to Epson K3.

Carl

On Jul 3, 2006, at 8:23 PM, wwodets wrote:

> Folks-
>
> I've finally gotten a box of Crane Silver Rag and had a quick and
> dirty look.  I did this simply by printing an auto nozzle check
> (solid rectangles) with the MK still in the printer, just wanting to
> see what the ink looked like on the surface.  This is a 4800 with K3
> inks.
>
> If I leave out the MK swatch, the ink is *much* glossier than the
> paper itself--the ink looks like something laminated to the surface
> of the paper.  So, I am imaging that an image would show significant
> gloss differential between very open highlights and more dense areas
> of the image, as well as between dense areas of the image and the
> paper surround.
>
> In comparing the CSR to a few silver gelatin, fiber, gloss, matte-
> dried prints, the SR is actually more matte than the fiber paper.
> The gloss of the ink is a closer match to the gelatin paper.
>
> Though the CSR doesn't really look like a matte-dried paper, I like
> the look and find it very "photographic."  But with the K3 inks, I
> can't see that it would be useful without a Print Shield spray or
> something like that.
>
> Any comments on evaluating the paper/ink in this way or on my
> observations?
>
> Thanks,
> Walt