Digital BW, The Print

I've got one if anyone's interested. Please email me off list.

Thanks,
Sarah

I haven't used this Espon UltraSmooth Fine Art Paper (USFA). But looked 
at its specs, it seems close to and between Moab Entrada Natural 190 or 
300mil.

My questions are: How good is this paper for B&W or color printing? For 
100% cotton, natural colored matte paper, are there any better choice?

Thanks,
Philip

Pacific New Media <panmedia@...> wrote:
>
> I haven't used this Espon UltraSmooth Fine Art Paper (USFA). 
> ...
> 
> How good is this paper for B&W or color printing? 

> For 100% cotton, natural colored matte paper, are there 
> any better choice?
> 


I used Epson UltraSmooth for a while.  My understanding and experience suggests it was the older version of Premier Art Smooth Hot Press.  The Epson Premier Art Scrapbook paper was the thinner version (aka Premier art 205).  Epson had an exclusive on the UltraSmooth weight, which I felt was about right for my old 7500 with rolls. 

For background, my understanding is that when these papers are purchased and re-branded by Epson, as was the case with UltraSmooth, that relationship and branding essentially freeze the formula.  The idea is to keep the profiles and thus printing consistent.  So, the current Premier Imaging papers have been able to, in my view, go beyond where the older coatings are, specifically with respect to dmax.

The Premier Art Smooth 325 is what I have used most in recent times instead of UltraSmooth.  I think it has a better dmax.

See http://www.premierimagingproducts.com/pm_smoothhp.php

The new Premier Art Generations Alise papers are the latest in this line, with, I believe, the highest matte paper dmax I've seen.

See http://www.premierimagingproducts.com/pg_alisefineart.php


There are, of course, so many different factors and preferences relating to paper that it's impossible to say one is best or even necessarily better than another.  I, for example, love the impact of a high dmax, high dynamic range B&W, even if it's Claria dye on glossy paper.  But, for the wall displays, I, personally, like Arches even with it's modest 1.50's dmax.  

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com

Paul,

As usual, thanks a lot on sharing the experience and the advice.

- Philip

pr_roark wrote:

>
> Pacific New Media <panmedia@...> wrote:
> >
> > I haven't used this Espon UltraSmooth Fine Art Paper (USFA).
> > ...
> >
> > How good is this paper for B&W or color printing?
>
> > For 100% cotton, natural colored matte paper, are there
> > any better choice?
> >
>
> I used Epson UltraSmooth for a while. My understanding and experience 
> suggests it was the older version of Premier Art Smooth Hot Press. The 
> Epson Premier Art Scrapbook paper was the thinner version (aka Premier 
> art 205). Epson had an exclusive on the UltraSmooth weight, which I 
> felt was about right for my old 7500 with rolls.
>
> For background, my understanding is that when these papers are 
> purchased and re-branded by Epson, as was the case with UltraSmooth, 
> that relationship and branding essentially freeze the formula. The 
> idea is to keep the profiles and thus printing consistent. So, the 
> current Premier Imaging papers have been able to, in my view, go 
> beyond where the older coatings are, specifically with respect to dmax.
>
> The Premier Art Smooth 325 is what I have used most in recent times 
> instead of UltraSmooth. I think it has a better dmax.
>
> See http://www.premierimagingproducts.com/pm_smoothhp.php 
> <http://www.premierimagingproducts.com/pm_smoothhp.php>
>
> The new Premier Art Generations Alise papers are the latest in this 
> line, with, I believe, the highest matte paper dmax I've seen.
>
> See http://www.premierimagingproducts.com/pg_alisefineart.php 
> <http://www.premierimagingproducts.com/pg_alisefineart.php>
>
> There are, of course, so many different factors and preferences 
> relating to paper that it's impossible to say one is best or even 
> necessarily better than another. I, for example, love the impact of a 
> high dmax, high dynamic range B&W, even if it's Claria dye on glossy 
> paper. But, for the wall displays, I, personally, like Arches even 
> with it's modest 1.50's dmax.
>
> Paul
> www.PaulRoark.com
>
>

I like it a lot.  It doesn't have quite the saturation and Dmax of Velvet Fine Art, but has better resolution and shows more details.

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Pacific New Media <panmedia@...> wrote:

>
> I haven't used this Espon UltraSmooth Fine Art Paper (USFA). But looked 
> at its specs, it seems close to and between Moab Entrada Natural 190 or 
> 300mil.
> 
> My questions are: How good is this paper for B&W or color printing? For 
> 100% cotton, natural colored matte paper, are there any better choice?
> 
> Thanks,
> Philip
>