Digital BW, The Print

I know most of the discussion here is about printing BW photography, but I 
also know that Paul Roark and perhaps others sometimes are making new prints 
from restored antique photos.

My primary interest in BW printing is creating new prints from antique 
photos. I'm using a 1280 with the UT2 inks on PhotoRag at present. I have no 
problems with this combination. I have no problems with clogs, even though 
the printer stays on for weeks at a time and often sits without being used 
for a few days at a time. Nor do I have any problems with the PhotoRag 
flaking. I'm careful to wipe each sheet before use and maybe that's the key. 
The color of the PhotoRag paper is perfect for printing antique photos.

I plan to continue using the 1280 and UT2 as long as the printer is 
producing nice prints. However, I'm wondering about the new matte papers 
that are being discussed here. Are any of you who do antique photo 
restoration using the new papers for this purpose? Which ones (preferably 
usable with 1280 / UT2 curves), if any, should I consider as possible 
suitable replacements for PhotoRag?

TIA for any suggestions.

Tom Keesling
Intelligent Design

Tom,

>My primary interest in BW printing is creating new prints from antique 
>photos. I'm using a 1280 with the UT2 inks on PhotoRag at present. 
>I have no problems with this combination. ...

>...I'm wondering about the new matte papers 
>that are being discussed here. Are any of you who do antique photo 
>restoration using the new papers for this purpose? ...

I like the warmer, no OBA papers, like PermaJet Alpha, with pure carbon warm
tone for these photos.  I think it both looks appropriate and will probably
be the most archival.  Alpha has a dmax that is between EEM and PhotoRag,
has curves for UT2, and is available from Jobo at (800) 664-0344.
Supposedly people get a discount if they mention my name.  I don't know how
the net price looks, however.  I think the Innova Smooth Cotton Natural
White is similar.  Jim Doyle at ShadesofPaper carries this.

The brightest non-OBA paper is probably Epson UltraSmooth (aka PremierArt
Hot press fine art).  The dmax is a bit less.  ULtraSmooth has done very
well on fade tests.  (I have not tested Alpha.)  Whether lack of OBAs aids
in longevity is an open question.  I personally prefer to avoid them if I
can get the look I'm after with a non-OBA paper.

For a whiter paper, the PermaJet Delta might work -- same good dmax, but
with some brighteners.

Hope this helps.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com

Paul,

Thanks once again for your thoughts and suggestions. I'm with you. I prefer 
the warmer papers for printing the antique photo prints, and I definitely 
want my prints to be as archival as possible. If anything that we print is 
going to be around for more than a few years, it'll be prints from restored 
antique family photos. My clients who go to the trouble of having an old 
family photo restored expect future generations to be viewing the new 
prints.

I'll see if I can get samples of the Permajet Alpha and the Innova paper and 
compare them to the PR that I've used for the past few years.

Thanks for the UT-2s, the curves, and your incredible support. It's very 
much appreciated!

Tom Keesling
Intelligent Design