Digital BW, The Print

Hi Igor,

>> Among the real issues is the warming of prints. This is 
>>the first thing most people see, but it is very paper specific.

>That's why I'm looking for an alternative for Photo Rag. 
>... Premier Art Smooth ... can't get ... in Holland
>Ultrasmooth ... is very expensive ...

I think the main factor for avoiding the yellowing is avoiding the OBAs, but
there may be other factors like acidity or particular characteristics of the
coating or print environment that are causing the problems.

With respect to the OBAs, another paper I've used and like is Permajet
Alpha.  It uses an Innova non-brightened coating.  It's not quite as white
as Premier Art.

>Innova Smooth Cotton High white ...

Any "high white" paper is going to have OBAs.

>> most OBAs are dyes that will "fade" as quickly as we 
>>are accustomed to dyes fading. When they fade, the image 
>>will appear to warm as the paper warms.

>As the OBAs fade, the paper becomes yellow. My prints, 
>however, become red. That's funny (but not amusing).

Yes, I'm wondering if you're dealing with more than the OBAs.  Are you sure
you have the UT-FS and not the original MIS FS?  Is it possible you're
getting some exposure to ozone or other airborne pollutant that could be
attacking the prints?  

I had some older prints made with first generation pigments on some second
rate paper that also appeared to shift red.  However, with the current
generation of MIS UT pigments and most of the papers I've tested Lab A
decreases as the magenta (or R800 blue) fades the fastest.  On the Premier
Art, most of the change is consistent with this magenta (or just slightly
better R800 blue) fading.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com