Digital BW, The Print

Hello All,

I have been testing these new papers and have good things to report, especially for the Natural version (called "Museum" on the Premier Art web site).

Main points:
1) Dmax (with K3 inks) is excellent on both, with slightly better result on the natural version, 1.72, with 1.71 on the BW version. Only VFA is higher at 1.75.  Results may be different with Eboni-based inks.  These numbers are an average of 4 to 6 readings done by Steve Karafyllakis with a ColorVision SpectroColorimeter.

2) Both versions render cool ink tones.  

3) The paper color of the Natural version is not as warm as most other non-OBA papers.

4) Prints easily, meaning the prints match the EEM proofs in contrast and density and don't require adjustments.  Seems almost effortless.

5) The smooth surface has very little bleed and renders extremely sharp details.  Things just look real crisp.

My Impressions of the Natural version:
This is the highest Dmax non-OBA paper I've tested.  It is also the least warm non-OBA paper I've seen.  Because of these qualities, I feel this is the most significant new paper to come along in a long time (there are some other new papers I haven't tested yet, so it's possible there are others that share these qualities).

I am currently printing a family reunion portrait job with it and I'm getting gorgeous results.  My impression is that this is new technology.  It's not yet another version of the same old coating technology we've seen for years.  It takes inks differently than anything else in my experience.  It's the first new paper to get me excited in a long time.

A more detailed review can be found at this link

   http://cjcom.net/articles/digiprn5b.htm



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