Digital Prints

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Mastering Digital Printing
The other way to go is to use non-recommended, third-party papers. ILFORD,
Hahnemuhle, Arches, Crane, Somerset, Legion, Hawk Mountain, Red River, and Moab
are only some of the paper makers or distributors offering top-notch third-party papers
for inkjet printers. Larger online retailers like MediaStreet.com (“Generations,” “Royal,”
“Renaissance”) and inkjetART.com (“Micro Ceramic”) also sell high-quality media under
their own brand names. (InkjetGoodies.com sells its related division Moab paper line in
addition to other brands.)
Paper Handling
Another important printer-deciding factor is paper handling. The drum-based inkjets
(IRIS/IXIA and the discontinued ColorSpan Giclée PrintMakerFA) are famous for being
able to handle very thick media (although their maximum dimensions are limited, and
the manual loading and unloading is a major headache—the main reason the Giclée
PrintMakerFA is no longer made). I know of an English printmaker who uses an old IRIS
to print on Arches 640 gsm artist paper (the same paper used for painting).
Maximum paper thickness is an important consideration for many. Epsons shine in this category
with most newer wide-format models (including the 4000) able to print on premounted
papers and boards up to 1.5 mm thick. The Mutoh Falcon II can also print up to 1.5 mm,
and the Mimaki JV4 Series printers can handle thicknesses up to an amazing 7 mm.
Most regular users, however, don’t need to print on paper that thick. In fact, according to
inkjet supplies reseller Royce Bair of inkjetART.com, most desktop users of photo/fine art
inkjet papers tend to prefer thicknesses below 13 mil, typically 10-12 mil. (A mil is a measurement
of thickness, 1/1,000 inch.) That same 1.5mm would equate to 59 mil, and there
is no popular, unmounted paper currently that thick. In fact, the thickest inkjet papers
now available are some of Epson’s that are 425 and 500 gsm (30-36 mils/.76-.9 mm).
Figure 6.3 Artist and fine-art
printmaker Jan Steinman uses
translucent film to produce his
signature Translesce prints.
Courtesy of Jan Steinman
www.Bytesmiths.com