Digital BW, The Print

It's a very nice paper, though not quite 100% there yet, so I hope 
Crane will tweak it in response to the beta testing.

In some ways it is a bit similar to air dried fibre based paper - but 
not really/not quite. In fact this is one of the first papers that 
might show how ink printing can go forward on it's own instead of 
either trying to copy darkroom prints (which is what the RC papers 
do) or trying to "make do" with what we can ( which is what the 
art/rag papers really do).

The paper has a really nice look and feel to it and it is almost 
unique. Best of all it has very nice deep blacks - but as 
importantly, extremely good rich shadow detail - more than any rag 
paper of used of the dozens and dozens I've tried over the last 8-10 
years. It also has good highlights and mid tones and is very crisp. 
It gives a very neutral B&W print, but the most impressive think is 
the sense of depth in the prints - it doesn't feel like it sits on 
the surface like the RC prints do - and it obviously doesn't have 
the "flat" look of the rag papers. The pritns are rich and luscious

It is supposed to be based on Cranes excellent 100% rag base, so if 
it lives up to that in terms of longevity it will be a big plus. It 
seems a very tough paper too - resists scratching and moisture

Only downside was slight bronzing with the original UC PK (MK/Ebony 
was a no go - dry ink comes off on your fingers) using QTR. The 
bronzing (which is more like silvering really) was reduced pretty 
well with a spray of Print Guard - and even without that is nowhere 
near the horrible bronzing on Photo Rag Satin (?) or Premier Art's 
equivalent. I would imagine the new inks in the 2400/4800 etc will 
have no bronzing problem?

Potentially a really good paper - innovative and different. Hopefully 
it will live up to these first trials. It looks better than almost 
anything I've used before - and if the bronzing/silvering goes with 
the newer epson inks, it's a big step forward.