Digital BW, The Print

Hello Djon,

>Clayton, are you simultaneously testing various papers/pigs/dyes? 

No, just a few things that I have personal interest in.  I keep this
one there to see if it ever does begin to fade.  Eboni is widely used
so I post an update on it now and then.  An unprotected print
withstanding direct sunlight seems pretty significant.


>If not, what paper are you testing here? 

Sorry, forgot. It's on EEM.

 
>Is "fading" really an issue with black "inks" (Vs pigs)? 

I think it's an issue with any ink.  An ink either does or doesn't
fade, within a given time frame under certain conditions, and it's a
good thing to know for any inks you're using, especially if they are
toned.  The Septone inks faded at 4 months.  How does that translate
to "under glass in room light"?  I don't know.  It just seems
significant that it faded in 4 months and Eboni BO is at 18 and
counting.  Eveyone can draw their own conclusions.

Last summer I began testing the original UT7 inks and they faded in 6
months.  MIS says that was an experimental formula and was advertised
as such, and that last August they changed it to use better toners.
But they also admit that even the best toners don't last as long as
pure carbon.  But I don't know what that means in practical terms.  So
in February I printed new test strips with the new UT7 inks, so we'll
see how they do.  Surely they will do much better.  

I have also been experimenting with a modified UT7 formula which
eliminates most of the non-carbon toners.  It should significantly
reduce any chances of fading.  I'm almost done and will start a fade
test on that pretty soon.  Right now Eboni BO is the only thing I have
full confidence in.  If it can withstand the windowsill for 18 months
it should do well under glass in room light.

Regards,
Clayton


Info on black and white digital printing at    
http://www.cjcom.net/digiprnarts.htm