Digital BW, The Print

Hello All,

Recently I tested some PremierArt Matte BW with K3 ink to compare with
other papers and was quite surprised by the result.  MBW paper is very
similar to Kayenta, a popular paper (smooth, bright white, cool toned,
2-sided, alpha cellulose, 210 gsm, relatively inexpensive).  Well, MBW
blows Kayenta out of the water in dmax and over all clarity and depth.  

It's dmax is remarkable, close to VFA, the highest I've tested so far.
VFA is first (the clear winner), followed by PR, MBW and Innova Photo
Fiba in a toss-up for 2nd place (and probably the other Innova matte
papers as well).  Then there's a significant gap to the others [in
descending dmax order]: Museo Max, Condor BW, Kayenta, Aurora Art,
Merlin Natural and Entrada). 

Note: These results are for Epson K3 inks only.  MBW may be equally
better with other inks as well, but I can't say for sure.  Sometimes
the dmax rating is different with different inks.  For example, with
Eboni (the black ink in most MIS ink sets) PR beats VFA in dmax, and
while Kayenta and some of the others are top notch with Eboni, they
are just so-so with K3.  

If K3 users are looking for a paper of this type, look no further,
it's no contest - it's right up there with the big guys.   

Regards,
Clayton


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