Digital BW, The Print

Greetings Digital Printers  (sounds like I am addressing an Epson machine), 

Tonight I did some further tests on the Legion Photo Matte  (LPM) paper.  

I am just going to post a few subjective impressions.  

First, I am glad to say that the prints looked marvelous! 

 I printed with both PiezoBW and PiezoColor inksets using Epson 1160s. 

Secondly, these prints looked very much like a "silver print" and had me fooled.   I put one of the prints under glass to reduce the "matte paper look" and was amazed that the prints looked so much like a glossy silver print.  More so than any other paper I have seen/tested/printed.  (ok, I am not counting any "glossy" inkjet papers here)

I am convinced that this paper could really fool people into thinking it was a traditional silver glossy, if it is behind clear glass.  If used in a portfolio with clear sheet protectors, this paper will likely look just like a silver print.  

I must admit, however, that I am not trying to make my fine art prints look like glossy silver prints.  That is my personal taste/judgement/opinion...I prefer papers with a more "fine art" and textured surface or papers with more tooth.  But, for those folks that want to emulate a silver print...this paper is going to be very hard to beat.  

I also examined the paper closely with a 10x loupe and at different light angles and under different lighting conditions.  And I tested both sides of the paper with my ph test pen (neutral to acid free results). 

I also looked at the paper side by side with Conetech Matte (CTM) paper and EAM.  

Of the three, the LPM has the most "opaque" look.  I believe this adds to the reflectivity of the paper (causing a "whiter" look and aids in contrast).  And with the "whiter" look,  I believe photographers who like high contrast or high key images will like this paper very much.  I placed the paper and Conetech matte over various texts and the LPM was definitely more opaque.  

It has a feeling that is slightly "heavier" than the CTM but is very similar in smoothness.  

I noticed that the paper tended to "buckle" a little when the paper was wet with ink.  This subsided as the ink dried.  When properly mounted, I don't think there will be any problem with buckling. 

My only impression that was not entirely positive is this:  I wish it was heavier and thicker.  Even with 230gsm, it is a relatively "thin" sheet of paper.  If mounted, this is not a problem.  But if you are used to handling loose prints, it will feel "light weight"  even if it is a medium weight sheet by basis.  So, I would encourage Legion papers to produce the same finish on a rag paper that is 300gsm or more.  350gsm may even be better.  On the other hand, most silver papers are not that thick. 

Overall, LPM is a very nice paper.

Regards, 
Steadman


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

on 8/21/01 2:35 AM, Steadman Uhlich at steadmanuhlich@... wrote:

> My only impression that was not entirely positive is this:  I wish it was
> heavier and thicker.  Even with 230gsm, it is a relatively "thin" sheet of
> paper.  If mounted, this is not a problem.  But if you are used to handling
> loose prints, it will feel "light weight"  even if it is a medium weight sheet
> by basis.  So, I would encourage Legion papers to produce the same finish on a
> rag paper that is 300gsm or more.  350gsm may even be better.  On the other
> hand, most silver papers are not that thick.

agreed

and also some option in panoramic sizes, either rolls or sheets, would be
wonderful.

Legion have a winner here... they should exploit it.
-- 
John Brownlow

http://www.pinkheadedbug.com

ICQ: 109343205