I need help choosing paper for Color & B&W printing. I'm using a lab here in Portland,Or. They suggested Chromira digital chrystal arhival prints on Fuji paper. Is this paper also good for B&W prints.
Any suggestion on what paper to use are very much appreciated. And also any suggestions on how to ship prints are very welcome. Thank you for your time.
The Chromira printer uses RGB LED's to expose the Fuji Crystal Archive paper that is then processed using RA4 chemistry--it is a 'true' photographic paper, i.e. these are not inkjet prints. If you were to print B&W images on this paper, they would have to be in an RGB color space, rather than grey scale.
If I was going to print B&W images, I would use a smooth matte inkjet paper or a glossy inkjet paper and print on a piezography printer that uses only black inks, such as the Cone system. I think your best bet would be to have a discussion with your lab.
In either event, I would have the lab make a proof before committing to a large print.
How you ship would depend upon the size of the print. Very large prints can be shipped rolled in a mailing tube, or in a box. If you use a box, tape the corners of the bagged print to a piece of cardboard, place another piece of cardboard on top and then tape the sandwich together. Place the sandwich in box that holds the sandwich tightly. Smaller prints can be done similarly (the sandwich) and then placed in a padded envelope. Personaly, I like the box method because there's less chance of the print being bent, or otherwise damaged. Be sure to ensure the package.
A couple of notes from what Preston said... Getting inkjet prints done with purely dedicated B&W printers will definitely give you the most perfectly neutral prints, and probably better gradations. That's true. But in my opinion, you can get really excellent B&W prints from other systems as well.
Personally, I've only seen a couple of true B&W printer examples (printed using only black/grey inks) but for many people, I doubt they'd find the difference to be significant. Might be worth trying the Chromira if it's cheaper (and I suspect it is) or try a small print done on each of your options and see if you care about the difference.
Discussion
2 repliesI need help choosing paper for Color & B&W printing. I'm using a lab here in Portland,Or. They suggested Chromira digital chrystal arhival prints on Fuji paper. Is this paper also good for B&W prints.
Any suggestion on what paper to use are very much appreciated. And also any suggestions on how to ship prints are very welcome. Thank you for your time.
Danny Laureys
The Chromira printer uses RGB LED's to expose the Fuji Crystal Archive paper that is then processed using RA4 chemistry--it is a 'true' photographic paper, i.e. these are not inkjet prints. If you were to print B&W images on this paper, they would have to be in an RGB color space, rather than grey scale.
If I was going to print B&W images, I would use a smooth matte inkjet paper or a glossy inkjet paper and print on a piezography printer that uses only black inks, such as the Cone system. I think your best bet would be to have a discussion with your lab.
In either event, I would have the lab make a proof before committing to a large print.
How you ship would depend upon the size of the print. Very large prints can be shipped rolled in a mailing tube, or in a box. If you use a box, tape the corners of the bagged print to a piece of cardboard, place another piece of cardboard on top and then tape the sandwich together. Place the sandwich in box that holds the sandwich tightly. Smaller prints can be done similarly (the sandwich) and then placed in a padded envelope. Personaly, I like the box method because there's less chance of the print being bent, or otherwise damaged. Be sure to ensure the package.
--P
Personally, I've only seen a couple of true B&W printer examples (printed using only black/grey inks) but for many people, I doubt they'd find the difference to be significant. Might be worth trying the Chromira if it's cheaper (and I suspect it is) or try a small print done on each of your options and see if you care about the difference.