Digital BW, The Print

cal  print making.  Is it true that you get better,
>> richer blacks using matte finish papers with K3 pigments than with
>> lustre finish papers???  This is the opposite of the chemical world !
>> If true, what's the physics here?
>> Thanks
>> 
> 
> No, the same physics applies to both types of printing. Luster and
> gloss papers have a better dmax.
> 

But there are also intangibles or non obvious variables...
For instance the photographic printing process most famous for its blacks
hands down is Platinum printing. Platinum prints.
That's a matt process. Flat Mat. Mat Black, Mat Board, Mat Helm, Mat Damon.
Reason?
Does a Dmax "reading" with a Dmaxometer bare this out? I seem to recall
maybe it doesn't. But the PERCEPTION of the blacks wins out in our hearts
and minds eyes.
Well from what I can tell the physics of the metals which comprise the image
being what they are are ON TOP of all substrates. No gelatin between you and
the image comprising elements. Keeping all substrates sub; which where they
belong in the first place if you ask me. :)
The elements being platinum and palladium. (Atomic # 78 and 46:)

In the Platinum printing word spraying is widely wildly discouraged. Not
done. And sure Verethane the thing and the blacks just might get blacker.
I have, and from some bad experiences way back, very down on over-sprays,
waxing, dry mounting - anything that could otherwise shorten the life of an
otherwise extremely long lasting elegant print process. I know some on this
list do not share that opinion. But I agree with most of my opinions.

The inkjet processes to me has an advantage as the pigment can be pretty
much on top. The first thing you see. Nothing gumming up your perception of
the image.

Mark Rabiner