Digital Prints

Cost: I’ve already described ink and media costs in the previous chapter, but I’ll mention
a cost-saver here. One trick that experienced printmakers have learned is to do the testing,
color balancing, and other preliminary work on similar, but cheaper, paper. Then,
when they’re ready, they pull out the good stuff. This used to be hit or miss, hoping that
the proofing paper would use the same settings or profiles as the expensive paper, but now,
paper suppliers are starting to offer this combination with uniform coatings. For example,
Hahnemuhle introduced their Art Proof paper in early 2004 specifically for “lowering
the expense of non-income-earning test prints.” It’s 110 gsm, and they claim it saves
35–50 percent on the regular Hahnemuhle stocks. Similarly, Moab now offers Kayenta
Photo Matte as a lower-cost “everyday” paper (Sulphite) plus as a proofing paper for Moab’s
Entrada line (100-percent cotton). Finally, Legion Digital Rag is the proofing suggestion
for Somerset Velvet.
Paper Name Equivalents
Trying to sift through all the various types and names of printing papers can be a challenging task. It’s
made even harder when you realize that the same paper can have different, rebranded marketing names
depending on who is selling it. For example, consider the following:
Hahnemuhle German Etching = Lumijet Classic Velour = Lyson Standard Fine Art = MediaStreet Royal
Plush = the former ConeTech Orwell.
Sometimes, it’s common knowledge when it’s the same paper, but many times, as with the examples
above, its not. You just have to know.
Chapter 7 ■ Choosing Your Consumables 241
Figure 7.15 A portfolio book
created by Andrew Darlow with
Lineco’s PopArt post-bound digital
album. Andrew printed directly onto
the double-sided Lineco Digital
Archival Matte paper, which has a postbinding
strip with holes ready to fit
into the album covers.
Album and photographs © Andrew
Darlow/www.andrewdarlow.com