Digital BW, The Print

I'll share my own experiences with Hahenmule Photo Rag here. 
I realize that I am in the minority with my problem.

A week ago I sold Hahnemule Photo Rag in 2 sizes at well below my
cost. The reason was that HPR is the only paper (I was using 308) that
persisitently and mysteriously caused my printers loading problems.
I suspect that particles were coming off the paper and coating the
loading mechanism of my 2200 and 2400. (I'm using the 2200 for BO)
The issue happened with regularity. And, there are some very nice
options so I finally decided to ditch the paper, selling my 2 unopened
boxes. In truth, I prefer the look of some of the other papers.
(Innova Smooth, Merlin 2, Kayenta, VFA etc) None of the latter ever
give me loading difficulties.
 I realize that I am in the minority with these negative experiences.
HPR seems to be a very popular paper. But, if there is just one person
with a similar problem, perhaps they will know they're not alone.

Respectfully,
Howard



--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com,
"tariqgibranstudio" <tariqgibranstudio@...> wrote:
>
> John,
> 
> The flaws are very subtle, little tiny specks really sort of like if
you touched a ball point 
> pen tip to the paper.  It might be something that most people would
not notice.  I have yet 
> to get ANY Museum Etching rolls which do not exhibit this.  It
usually also is on at least 
> one sheet of the 17"x22" size in each pack.  I'm sure it must have
something to do with 
> the manufacturing process.  Other than that, it is definately my
favorite paper at the 
> moment.  It is more durable than German Etching as it is 100% Cotton
Rag, not the weaker 
> Alpha Cellulose of the German Etching.  I have yet to see any
flaking with it which I 
> occasionally saw with German Etching but of course now I always
brush the paper before 
> printing.  It just irks me a bit that I'm paying more for the Museum
Etching and I have yet 
> to see a perfect roll or Box.  On a rolls, its not just one dot but
many every so many feet 
> vertically but only one horizontally.  If you look closely, I bet
you will notice it.  I would be 
> curious to hear from anyone else who has seen this or might know why
these dots are 
> there.  They were not there on the German Etching at all.
> 
> Tariq
> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "john dean"
<deanwork2003@> 
> wrote:
> >
> > Tariq,
> > 
> > Oh no. That is terrible. No, I've seen no flaws in the about 4 rolls
> > of the Museum Etching that I've used so far. I don't know if this is
> > just my experience or not but this paper seems a lot more durable than
> > German Etching, far less tender, and I've been putting a lot blacks
> > down on it. It seems  more like the Innova coating but with better
> > dmax. I sure hope I don't experience any problem because this is my
> > new favourite paper because I'll send it back, immediately. I'm about
> > to do two large portfolios with this stuff and I can't deal with that.
> > 
> > I'll tell you right now I've been using Hahnemuhle papers for about 6
> > years, every month, and never have I had a quality control problem of
> > any kind. It has been my most consistently good media. I don't think
> > that is luck, I think it is a good German craftsmanship. I will keep a
> > look out though. Thanks for the forewarning. 
> > 
> > John
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> >  I see these small tiny black or gray dots every so many feet.  Looks
> > like 
> > > where a machine has handled or marked it.  Never ever saw this with
> > German Etching and 
> > > its a real issue as It will almost invaribly end up in a white
> > border or margin ever so often 
> > > unless I waste some of this very expensive paper.  Have you seen
this?  
> > > 
> > > Tariq
> > > 
> > > 
> > > --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "john dean"
> > <deanwork2003@> 
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > For the life of me I can't understand you guys paying that kind of
> > > > money for sheet of rag media. To me it is just not even
something I
> > > > would remotely consider at those prices. I have only had one issue
> > > > with using good roll media, and that is flattening the prints
> > > > afterwards, and that is certainly no big deal for me. I brush the
> > > > media quickly while on the machine with a large drafting
brush, and I
> > > > have no flaking problems at all anymore. But the key for me
was when I
> > > > bought the 53" Rototrim paper cutter that will accept the
width of the
> > > > lare rolls, it costs $700.00. But I got it half price with a
teacher
> > > > discount. This self sharpening device has been my most loyal
friend
> > > > for 5 years and is still like new. 
> > > > 
> > > > As a matter of fact for roll paper I am using the very thick
> > > > Hahnemuhle Museum Etching rag now at 350 gsm and the 9600 cuts
through
> > > > it completely just fine. Even the old 7000 scores is so well I
just
> > > > tear it off very easily, however usually what I do in a print
run is
> > > > stroke the edges of each print in PS with a thin grey line and
take
> > > > them to the Rototrim all at once with a number of prints on
that roll.
> > > > I couldn't imagine sitting here feeding a sheet at a time like
a robot
> > > > all day. I'd rather be in the other room watching a DVD or or
working
> > > > on the drum scaner or another printer. What I would really like to
> > > > have is one of those mechanized roll up devices for the bottom
of the
> > > > printer that would allow you to print a half a roll or more at
a time
> > > > out of a good rip. Now that would make me money while I sleep.
I do
> > > > all my proofing of many things at once and evaluate all that way
> > > > before the final output.
> > > > 
> > > > John
> > > >
> > >
> >
>