Digital BW, The Print

Hi Jim,

>... what about paper selection? I was not clear from your
> notes if you saw any major difference in smoothness depending 
>upon paper selection. If the answer is yes, could you 
>provide a list of paper types you have tested in order 
>of smoothness rather than tone. 

Yes, paper affects smoothness.  Start with Epson Premier Art Scrapbook
(great deal at Atlex), or the Premier Art 205 (essentially if not actually
the same paper).

The Moab papers seem good.  190 may be better than 300.

The 325 Premier Art Hot Press is too thick.  The 270 might be the optimum
combination of weight and good dmax/tone. (Premier Hot Press papers have
higher dmax and more even tones above the 205 thickness, but the 325 did not
print as smoothly.)

In general, (with the possible exception of the PA 325, graph which I should
replace with the 270 chart) the papers I listed printed very well, at least
with the caveat that the printer does better if it has enough paper margin
top and bottom to grab onto.

Many papers/coatings print with that cool-warm split tone.  That's fine for
some images, but for a "cool" or more neutral look I either like an even
distribution.

My Moab papers are a bit old, but if their coating has not changed (and if
they have finally solved the flaking problems) that paper/coating is going
to be near the top in terms of evenness of tones.

Let me know how your experiments work out.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com