Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Johnston" <wpajohnson@...> wrote:
>

> I am a little confused about Premier Art Smooth BW paper.
> 
> There are two listed on the MIS web site.
> 
>  
> 
> PREMIER ART HOT PRESS FINE ART 
> 
> PREMIER ART MATTE BW PAPER
> 
>  
> 
> Premier Art's web site indicates there is a smooth hot press BW.
> 
> I have not found any supplier other than MIS that distinguishes or mentions
> BW.

Mike, Premier seems to have caught the name changing bug from epson some years back.  The Premier Art Hot Press is a natural paper without Optical Brighteners and comes in a number of weights and single/ double sided in some weights.  It is very bright for a non OBA paper

The BW (Bright White) is similar but has OBAs.

Within matte papers most of the paper manufacturer's seem to agree on Fine Art as a designator for a rag paper; Hot Press for a smooth paper, Cold Press for one with texture, Natural or non-OBAs explains itself and either BW (Bright White) or some designator that it is a brightened paper.  Most manufacturers offer something in these two types (brightened/unbrightened) of paper and can be competitive.  Everyone also offers their upper tier papers that you have to take one at a time for comparison.

I was looking for double sided BW from Premier some time ago and they did not have the double sided version.  Others do have a BW paper, some cheap, some expensive.  I ended up with Moab Entrada BW as it comes double sided and I am very happy with it and I can get it locally.  (one caveat, it needs a good stiff brushing with a horsehair brush before printing)  I believe Red River has a BW fine art matte also.  There was a post from Ernst Dinkla about a double sided Canson paper that is very bright without OBAs: Rag Photographique Duo.  I have some waiting for me in Providence if I can get a chance to get up there and pick it up.  My local Utrecht only carries it in 10 sheet packs, so the couple I ordered where a tad expensive.  if it works out I think it might be available in 50 sheet packs at a much lower pice.

The whole OBA issue is real unfortunately.  some of the worst, like Epson's Ultra Premium matte (or the old name still in use, EEM or Epson Enhanced Matte) can go yellow in days  even out of the sunlight.