Digital BW, The Print

"paulmwhiting" <paulmwhiting@...> wrote:

> > ...  PremierArt paper as I recall is OBA-free as compared to
> > the HN photorag sample with Eboni 3MK now in test, so 
> > it deserves its own test.
> 
> Yes, PremierArt Fine Art has no OBA's ...

The 205 weight is the Premier Imaging version of Epson Premier Art Scrapbook paper.  Epson's website relating to the paper claims it is its most archival paper.  In my fade testing inks on this paper did better than on any other paper.  Oddly, the 205 weight did better than the heavier version.

> they also make a PremierArt Bright White which does contain OBA's...

It is said to be the same paper but with OBAs.  I use it for my "neutral-cool" prints with dilute Eboni.  It has the characteristic that the change is Lab B is held down more than any other coated paper. With the old 7500 this resulted in a 100% carbon print where the Lab B never became positive -- i.e., actually a "cool" 100% carbon print.  In more modern printers the smaller dots print warmer.  Still  with the 7800 the Lab B is below 1 at 50%.  

Premier Imaging claims that the OBAs in its Smooth BW paper meet the old silver print standards for brighteners.  But, I'd expect them to fade, turning the paper into, in effect, the Scrapbook paper.  An interesting question is whether the OBAs really do affect the image permanence. That would be a good comparison test.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com