Digital BW, The Print

Hey Folks,

I've just started out with a digital B&W setup on an Epson 860 with 
MIS Full Spectrum and the Woolf curves. I'd like to try printing on 
Photo Rag but have noted that it comes in two flavors, 188gsm and 
308gsm.
I would appreciate it if someone might shed some light on the 
advantages and disadvantages of using either paper and how they would 
work with a printer like the Epson 860.

Thanks in advance,

Mark

Mark - I think it's largely a matter of preference, though I don't know that
printer and can't say if there would be any problems with feeding the
heavier weight paper.  I use an 1160, and cut a piece of foamcor to the size
of the sheet that I will be using and placed in the printer as though it was
a piece of paper.  That way the printer thinks that there is a stack of
paper, and will take the paper smoothly if you place a single sheet on top
of the foamcor.

I think you'll find the 188 fine for small prints but may want to try the
308 for anything large.

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., Bill Agee <billagee@r...> 
wrote:
> At 3:20 PM +0000 9/9/02, markdsatx wrote:
> Mark,
> 
> I like the 308gsm myself.  The heavier weight makes for a more 
> impressive print and also one that is more durable.  I love the 
Photo 
> Rag...great blacks and color with MIS pigment inks...absolutely no 
> bronzing.  Only problem I have occasionally is that it doesn't feed 
> every time through the 1270 or 1280 in letter size.  The weight of 
> the 13x19 seems to get it through fine.  I tape a half flattened 
> paper towel tube to the paper feeder and it seems to make the 
letter 
> go through better by holding it up at a steeper angle...I suspect 
> that the coating is slipping on the rubber rollers...Doesn't happen 
> very often, but you have to pay attention...

Thanks for the feedback Bill. I am concerned with how well the paper 
will feed through the printer. But in general, I want a heavier 
paper. I've done some proofing on Heavyweight Matte and while the 
prints look fairly good, the feel and weight of the paper leaves 
something to be desired. I would, however, stick with a lighter 
weight paper if it meant less problems with printing.

Thanks again,

Mark

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "markdsatx" <markdsatx@y...> wrote:
But in general, I want a heavier 
> paper. I've done some proofing on Heavyweight Matte and while the 
> prints look fairly good, the feel and weight of the paper leaves 
> something to be desired.


I agree about the weight of Photo Rag. Probably in small sheets, 13x19 etc, it's 
fine, but for 24x30 or 35x47 or anything like this, it's just too wimpy. You might 
try BrightCube Eclipse Satine BrightWhite; it has all the blacks of PhotoRag, is 
cheaper, and even though it's rated at 300gsm, the actual caliper width is far 
heavier than PhotoRag. Only bad thing potentially about Brightcube is a rumor 
that their business is not in the best of shape; who knows if they'll be here for 
long time?

Mark Tucker
http://marktucker.com

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "marktuckerdotcom" 
<mtucker508@y...> wrote:

> I agree about the weight of Photo Rag. Probably in small sheets, 
13x19 etc, it's 
> fine, but for 24x30 or 35x47 or anything like this, it's just too 
wimpy. You might 
> try BrightCube Eclipse Satine BrightWhite; it has all the blacks of 
PhotoRag, is 
> cheaper, and even though it's rated at 300gsm, the actual caliper 
width is far 
> heavier than PhotoRag. Only bad thing potentially about Brightcube 
is a rumor 
> that their business is not in the best of shape; who knows if 
they'll be here for 
> long time?

Thanks Mark, I might just give that paper a try. BTW: The images on 
your website are gorgeous!

Mark

Mark, I think they make 3 weights of photo rag. 

The heaviest is pretty heavy.

I'm VERY sorry to hear about brightcube. Eclipse is the only luxury
paper I've found that is actually affordable.

Jerry

At 3:20 PM +0000 9/9/02, markdsatx wrote:
>Hey Folks,
>
>I've just started out with a digital B&W setup on an Epson 860 with
>MIS Full Spectrum and the Woolf curves. I'd like to try printing on
>Photo Rag but have noted that it comes in two flavors, 188gsm and
>308gsm.
>I would appreciate it if someone might shed some light on the
>advantages and disadvantages of using either paper and how they would
>work with a printer like the Epson 860.
>
>Thanks in advance,
>
>Mark
>


Mark,

I like the 308gsm myself.  The heavier weight makes for a more 
impressive print and also one that is more durable.  I love the Photo 
Rag...great blacks and color with MIS pigment inks...absolutely no 
bronzing.  Only problem I have occasionally is that it doesn't feed 
every time through the 1270 or 1280 in letter size.  The weight of 
the 13x19 seems to get it through fine.  I tape a half flattened 
paper towel tube to the paper feeder and it seems to make the letter 
go through better by holding it up at a steeper angle...I suspect 
that the coating is slipping on the rubber rollers...Doesn't happen 
very often, but you have to pay attention...

Bill
-- 

bill agee studio
capistrano beach, ca / laguna beach, ca

billagee@...
http://www.redsilver.com