Digital BW, The Print

> "Scott Jones" <peanutdogs@...> wrote:
>
> One way I have kept cost down is that I 
> have taken and really like ... suggestion of making test 
> prints on 1/4 letter sized pieces. 
>

I have gone the opposite route. I am making proofs at 16x20 up to 
24x30.

For image capture I am using 4x5 film and a Canon 1DsII digital. I 
got tired of never really **seeing** what is in my images when I look 
at my prints. Especially compared to the detail that I uncover when 
zooming in on the monitor. 

Plus you really need to see the proofs big to catch and correct all 
of the smaller "errors" that don't show up in smaller prints. ;>)

So, I loaded up my Epson 7600 with some cheap ink for proofing. Then 
I bought 9 rolls of Espon Premium Semi-Gloss with the "buy 2, get 1 
free" promo. 

The net cost for the Semi-Gloss 170 - a very nice paper - is $57 for 
a roll of 24"x100'.  That comes to around $.28 per squre foot, as 
cheap as Epson Enhanced Matte in 24" rolls. 

 A 16x20 is 2.2 sq ft, or about $.62 for the paper. A 24x30 is 5 sq 
ft, which comes to $1.40. Then figure your ink cost in ml and add in 
the cost for 1.2 to 1.5 ml of ink per square foot.  My ink cost is a 
little over $.02 per ml.  

***********************************************************

For final output I use Epson K3 Vivid inks on a 7880 and one of the 
newer premium fiber papers.  I have tried most of them - they are all 
great papers. My preference, in order, is:

1. Epson Exhibition Fiber.
2. Harmon Glossy FB Ai
3. Hahnemuhle Fine Art Baryta
4. Innova Fibaprint Ultrasmooth Gloss
5. Ilford Galerie Gold Fibre Silk


But I must say, you could re-order that list at random and find 
someone who agrees with the order. We are really getting down to 
small personal preferences at this point.

I would recommend doing essentially what I have done for most people: 
Use Epson Premium Semi-Matte, Premium Luster, or Premium Semi-Gloss 
for proofs.  Then pick 1 or 2 of the premium papers for final output. 

We certainly have a lot of great tools available today.  Hard to 
belive it was just 10 years ago that the Epson Photo EX 
with "Archival Matte" was state of the art. ;>)

Best,
Michael