Digital Prints

Gas Ghosting
In 2003, photographers first reported on e-mail discussion lists about a specific problem called “gas
ghosting” or out-gassing/fogging. Imagemakers were finding “fogging” on the inside of glass-framed
prints when certain combinations of paper and inks were used for their digital printing. The initial discussion
focused on Epson UltraChrome inks.
Epson took the unusual action of responding publicly, claiming that the fogging was caused by ink solvents
that hadn’t completely cured, and that the phenomenon primarily affected “barrier” papers (RC, as
an example), and that it could occur with any manufacturers’ inks, not only Epson inks.
The problem apparently does not occur with fine-art, matte-coated, watercolor, or cotton-rag-type
papers, and the best solution seems to be with accelerated drying or curing procedures. Epson recommends
interleaving stacked prints with plain paper to absorb the gasses and ink residues. If the fogging is
already in evidence on the frame or bag, simply remove it with glass cleaner.
(Epson’s explanation of this phenomenon can be downloaded from www.dpandi.com/digitalnews/fogging.pdf.)
Deckling Your Edges
While some artists like Karin Schminke print directly onto fine-art paper with deckled
edges (she has a special technique using removable tape plus strips of acetate taped to the
back of the print), most prefer to tear the edges to give a deckled effect after printing. This
takes some practice, but it’s a skill that can be picked up very quickly.
Chapter 9 ■ Finishing and Displaying Your Prints 281
Figure 9.2 Ken Smith likes to hang
up his Epson UltraChrome (Premium
Luster) prints for 48 hours as part of
his drying process. “The problem is,”
he says, “I have only so much room to
do this.”
Courtesy of Ken Smith
www.klsimages.com