Digital BW, The Print

Thanks.  Another poster replied off-list:

"The paper base deteriorates before the OEM inks change.  The RC paper
bases are not archival.  The plastic coatings will peel from the paper
base with the ink on the coating.

Ben"

So it sounds like the acidity of the surface may be less an issue than
the fundamental construction of the paper.

That leads me to wonder if Harman FB Al or Innova Fibaprint White
Gloss are any more archival than the Epson papers?  They both seem to
have layers that may come apart.

I've seen some cracking with both after immersion in water (I use them
to make contact print cyanotypes- not their intended use but they
perform better than matte papers for tonal range) and the Harman is
curling pretty badly under heat from sitting in my south-facing window
as part of a fade test (it's not really fading).

Any thoughts?
Roger


--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "pr_roark"
<pr_roark@...> wrote:
>
> >... I recently acquired a pH testing pen
> > and have been using it on various papers I have...
> >  the Epson papers I use both look to be quite acidic. 
> 
> Wilhelm rates the Epson Premium Glossy papers as having a long life.  
> While the surfaces are acidic, tear one open and test the paper 
> inside.  I think you'll find it is buffered, unlike most of the older 
> glossy inkjet papers.  Whether this is enough for long term storage is 
> may be another question.
> 
> I wonder also if the plastic in all these papers may be more of a long 
> term problem than the acidity.  
> 
> Paul
> www.PaulRoark.com
>