Digital BW, The Print

Hi Clayton, thanks for the feedback. Yes, I'm familiar with your
article # 5. I often refer to it. For most prints I make myself on my
3800, VFA is my paper of choice. The problem occurs when I have to
outsource printing, I'm finding that Somerset Enhanced Velvet is the
stock paper carried by most digital printing firms. As it turns out, I
have a project coming up where the client wants 7 - 24" x 30" printed
pieces, I've been calling around various shops and, invariably,
Somerset is what I'll get unless of course I buy the paper myself
which makes it cost prohibitive. Just out of curiosity, have you ever
tested Somerset EV for dmax? If you or anybody else reading this
thread has, I'd be interested in knowing what it comes in at. My guess
would be below 1.60.


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Clayton Jones"
<cj@...> wrote:
>
> Hello Steve,
> 
> >I'm a b&w fine art photographer looking for a new matte paper to use
> >as an alternative to Epson Velvet Fine Art.  I've been using Epson 
> >VFA almost exclusivity to make my own prints on my 3800.  It's a 
> >excellent paper with good dmax but its textured surface is 
> >appropriate for some images, but not all images....
> >...the Somerset Velvet dmax paled in comparison to Epson VFA.
> >Can someone recommend another matte paper more comparable to Epson
> >VFA. I would appreciated hearing your suggestions and ideas.
> 
> I've tested lots of matte papers (see article #5 at link below) and
> with K3 inks none had better dmax than VFA (HPR has better with
> Eboni-based inks).  I haven't tested all papers so it's theoretically
> possible there's one out there with better dmax, but I think we'd have
> heard of it by now so unless it's brand new it probably doesn't exist.
> 
> I use a 2400 with K3 and VFA is also my #1 choice.  My #2 choice is
> Innova's STA (Soft Texture Art), a slightly warmer paper color, the
> best non OBA paper I've found, really beautiful stuff with K3 inks. 
> It's dmax is not as good as VFA, but still better than many others. 
> But it's also slightly textured.
> 
> As for the texture, it bothered me for a long time but I finally
> realized that it's a non issue unless it's hand held for up close
> viewing.  At any distance, and especially framed, it's not an issue. 
>  I've sold and gifted many prints on it for the past several years,
> most of them unframed, and no one has ever mentioned anything about
> the texture.  In fact, the few times that anyone has ever mentioned
> the paper at all was only with high praise in general and not
> specifically about the texture.  I finally let go of my concern and am
> living happily ever after.  The gorgeous glowing VFA prints are more
> important.
> 
> HPR has good dmax, but while it's great with Eboni-based inks I've
> found it isn't as "friendly" with K3 for some reason.  I still have
> some in stock but have never been thrilled with the results.  I've
> pretty much settled in on VFA and STA for everything these days.
> 
> Regards,
> Clayton
> 
> 
> Info on black and white digital printing at    
> http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm
> I-Trak 2.1   http://www.cjcom.net/itrak.htm
>