Digital BW, The Print

Hello Clayton,

Actually, that Dorian Art paper you mentioned here is what you printed
the samples on, that you sent me. I do like it... but it's a tad warm
for what I want to do now. It is very reminscent of Agfa Provira wet
darkroom paper, of which I still have a few boxes. So I do like that
look for some applications but wondering what you'd suggest for
something cooler. I've read your "Great Paper Chase" and the Condor BW
looks good.

I should add, btw, that I'm a convert to your BO printing... just
loaded up the driver for my new R220 and so far looking good. Once I
load an MIS black (Eboni or Black) cartridge in the black slot, can I
leave my OME color carts where they are for when I want to do color
prints? Will they be happy with this black cartridge "intruder"?

Thanks to you and Paul for all you do,

Paul

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Clayton Jones"
<cj@...> wrote:
>
> Hello Kevin,
> 
> >I already use the RR Aurora Art as my primary paper, so it just 
> >makes sense to use it for proofing, too. Also, most proofs turn 
> >out nice enough to file in a photo album or give away to family 
> >and friends. 
> > Those proofs might as well be on the better paper.
> 
> 
> These are valid points, but there are some other things you might want
> to consider.  The contrast and density curves of EEM are close to what
> seems like an average for many matte papers, and it also happens to be
> such that it's fairly easy to achieve good WYSIWYG using the standard
> options for the image and printer profiles (I don't think this is an
> accident, I think the papers are designed that way).  Therefore using
> EEM for proofing has some advantages:
> 
> - Good WYSIWYG, which means faster and more efficient work
> 
> - Any image proofed on EEM will print to a wider range of papers
> without requiring major tweaking  (these are some of the reasons why
> the simple workflows can be so effective)
> 
> - EEM is widely available in office supply stores and online.
> 
> 
> It so happens that Aurora Art's contrast and density are different
> enough from the average that a considerable adjustment curve is
> required for both density and contrast when the image is proofed on
> EEM.  You are right that proofing on the same paper as the final
> prints is efficient, however you may be "painting yourself into a
> corner" so to speak, if you ever want to print on other papers.
> 
> When you work up and proof an image, the image is largly adapted to
> the proof paper.  If the images are proofed to Aurora, they may be
> more difficult to print on other papers.  One of the reasons EEM is so
> well liked as proof paper is because it is pretty much dead center in
> the mainstream of contrast and density.  This insures that the images
> are closer to what might be considered a standard.  Aurora is pretty
> far away from that.
> 
> As you gain more experience it is likely the urge to try other papers
> will rear it's head, and someday you might find one you like better. 
> It would be a shame to discover that many images proofed on Aurora
> will not print well on other papers.  
> 
> All of my images, going back over four years and across as many
> printers, were all proofed on EEM using the same mainstream settings.
> They can all be printed easily with either of my current printers
> with a minimum of tweaking required.  Printers, inks and papers come
> and go over time.  But I'm secure about that because all the
> images are uniformly proofed.  I was ill at ease when I first got the
> 2400 last year, a completely different system.  But I was delighted to
> find that almost all of my images printed as is, requiring little if
> any adjustments.
> 
> If you really want to proof and print on the same paper, IMO Dourian
> Art would be a better choice.  It is also 2-sided, and is very close,
> nearly identical, to EEM in contrast and density.  It also has better
> dmax than Aurora.  Dourian is a dead ringer for PhotoRag, arguably the
> most popular mainstream paper that has set the standard for years.
> 
> Regards,
> Clayton
> 
> 
> Info on black and white digital printing at    
> http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm
>