Digital BW, The Print

I know the simple way to avoid fingerprints on prints is 'don't touch the
print'.  But it's not easy and of course it's not always under your control.
 
Lately I've been using Innova FibaPrint Gloss Warmtone printed with my 4800.
I really love the results BUT its surface shows finger marks from even the
slightest touch, and even with freshly washed clean hands.  They show up
most clearly in angled light in the unprinted or light areas.  Be very
careful with your unprinted paper!  Trying to wipe off the marks (carefully,
with a light touch) does reduce the mark but adds a polish mark in place of
the fingerprint.  I also really like the Innova FibaPrint Semi Matte and
this is much less susceptible to these marks.  [Now, if only they'd make
this lovely paper as a warmtone].  BTW, Innova have failed to respond to my
(very polite) email which raises both the fingerprint problem and asks about
a Semi Matte Warmtone.
 
I contrast this with Crane Museo Silver Rag which is very difficult to mark.
And fingerprints hardly show at all.  If only it had a slightly less
stippled surface ...  This has been my paper of choice for the last 18
months or so.
 
In the light of the recent interest and emerging experience with Ilford Gold
Fibre Silk - which so far sounds like it's an excellent paper - does it pass
the fingerprint test?  I'll be getting some soon but am wondering what to
expect.
 
Steve Gledhill
http://www.virtuallygrey.co.uk/ <http://www.virtuallygrey.co.uk/> 


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The hydroscopic coatings on a lot of these digital fibre papers are very
prone to fingerprint smudges. That's part of what makes them so good at
sucking up ink. Cotton gloves can eliminate the issue. The Ilford comes with
gloves in the box.

On Dec 6, 2007 5:12 AM, stephengledhill <stephengledhill@...> wrote:

>   I know the simple way to avoid fingerprints on prints is 'don't touch
> the
> print'. But it's not easy and of course it's not always under your
> control.
>
> Lately I've been using Innova FibaPrint Gloss Warmtone printed with my
> 4800.
> I really love the results BUT its surface shows finger marks from even the
> slightest touch, and even with freshly washed clean hands. They show up
> most clearly in angled light in the unprinted or light areas. Be very
> careful with your unprinted paper! Trying to wipe off the marks
> (carefully,
> with a light touch) does reduce the mark but adds a polish mark in place
> of
> the fingerprint. I also really like the Innova FibaPrint Semi Matte and
> this is much less susceptible to these marks. [Now, if only they'd make
> this lovely paper as a warmtone]. BTW, Innova have failed to respond to my
> (very polite) email which raises both the fingerprint problem and asks
> about
> a Semi Matte Warmtone.
>
> I contrast this with Crane Museo Silver Rag which is very difficult to
> mark.
> And fingerprints hardly show at all. If only it had a slightly less
> stippled surface ... This has been my paper of choice for the last 18
> months or so.
>
> In the light of the recent interest and emerging experience with Ilford
> Gold
> Fibre Silk - which so far sounds like it's an excellent paper - does it
> pass
> the fingerprint test? I'll be getting some soon but am wondering what to
> expect.
>
> Steve Gledhill
> http://www.virtuallygrey.co.uk/ <http://www.virtuallygrey.co.uk/>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>  
>



-- 
amadou diallo
Author, Mastering Digital Black and White
www.masteringdigitalbwbook.com


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Amadou,
 
Thanks for the explanation which seems to make sense.  But I wonder why
Silver Rag is far better in this respect?  Perhaps it's in part due to its
more stippled irregular surface making the problem less evident?
 
As we get better and better papers to work with we need to keep reminding
the manufacturers that there are still things they can do to further improve
their products.  And this is one aspect that some of them could pay
attention to.  Back to my original point - it's not always possible stop
someone (a potential customer for example) from touching a print.  Unless my
memory isn't serving me well, silver gelatin prints didn't have this as a
problem, or at least when there were fingerprints they could be wiped off
without leaving any trace.
 
Steve Gledhill
www.virtuallygrey.co.uk
 
  _____  

From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of amadou
diallo
Sent: 06 December 2007 12:37
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Digital BW] Fingerprints

The hydroscopic coatings on a lot of these digital fibre papers are very
prone to fingerprint smudges. That's part of what makes them so good at
sucking up ink. Cotton gloves can eliminate the issue. The Ilford comes with
gloves in the box.

On Dec 6, 2007 5:12 AM, stephengledhill <
<mailto:stephengledhill%40yahoo.co.uk> stephengledhill@...> wrote:

> I know the simple way to avoid fingerprints on prints is 'don't touch
> the
> print'. But it's not easy and of course it's not always under your
> control.
>
> Lately I've been using Innova FibaPrint Gloss Warmtone printed with my
> 4800.
> I really love the results BUT its surface shows finger marks from even the
> slightest touch, and even with freshly washed clean hands. 
< ... snip ... >



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Have you ever tried inexpensive cotton gloves?

 

Richard Eskin

RichEskinPhoto@...

Online Gallery at www.RichEskinPhoto.com

 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

In a message dated 12/9/2007 2:21:19 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
richeskinphoto@... writes:

Have you  ever tried inexpensive cotton gloves?



Richard  Eskin



Hell... you let the secret out.
 
Richard Massie



**************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest 
products.
(http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I can see it now.  ³Come have a look at my photos....oh but put these dinky
things on first.  No, I assure you no one else has used them before you.²
Steve, I think you¹re going to have to display your ³preview² prints and
perhaps then it will be easier to rub the prints off or else put it down as
a cost of marketing.

From: <CorrPro96@...>
Reply-To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Sun, 09 Dec 2007 14:37:42 -0500 (EST)
To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [Digital BW] Re:Fingerprints

 
 
 

 
In a message dated 12/9/2007 2:21:19 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
richeskinphoto@... <mailto:richeskinphoto%40comcast.net>  writes:

Have you  ever tried inexpensive cotton gloves?

Richard  Eskin

Hell... you let the secret out.
 
Richard Massie



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

In a message dated 12/9/2007 2:44:08 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
stevekale@... writes:

I can  see it now.  ³Come have a look at my photos....oh but put these  dinky
things on first.  No, I assure you no one else has used them  before you.²
Steve, I think you¹re going to have to display your ³preview²  prints and
perhaps then it will be easier to rub the prints off or else put  it down as
a cost of marketing.



Prints should be shown either matted (for fingers) or in clear bags. It's  
the print-maker that needs gloves while handling prints coming out of the  
printer and for studio handling. We did it handling glossy 5x7 headshots and  
ferrotyped 8x10s at the drum dryer as well, remember?
 
Richard Massie



**************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest 
products.
(http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Richards,
Thank you for your suggestion - as if it weren't obvious.  But it does miss
my point.  In my two posts I referred to prints being touched as not always
being under my control:

"I know the simple way to avoid fingerprints on prints is 'don't touch the
print'.  But it's not easy and of course it's not always under your
control."
and
"Back to my original point - it's not always possible stop someone (a
potential customer for example) from touching a print." 

It may well look good, even superb, but if it's so easy to mark then the
real question here is "is the paper up to the job".  OK - it depends on the
job.  If everything is under your control for the life of the print (cotton
gloves and all) then fine.
 
Steve Gledhill
www.virtuallygrey.co.uk


  _____  

From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
CorrPro96@...
Sent: 09 December 2007 19:38
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Digital BW] Re:Fingerprints

In a message dated 12/9/2007 2:21:19 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, 
 <mailto:richeskinphoto%40comcast.net> richeskinphoto@... writes:

Have you ever tried inexpensive cotton gloves?

Richard Eskin

Hell... you let the secret out.

Richard Massie



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Steve,
 
Or use a paper that is equally good that doesn't mark - like Silver Rag.  In
fact Silver Rag is really tough compared with other papers I've tried.
 
Steve Gledhill
www.virtuallygrey.co.uk <http://www.virtuallygrey.co.uk/> 


  _____  

From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Steve
Kale
Sent: 09 December 2007 19:44
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Digital BW] Re:Fingerprints



I can see it now. ³Come have a look at my photos....oh but put these dinky
things on first. No, I assure you no one else has used them before you.²
Steve, I think you¹re going to have to display your ³preview² prints and
perhaps then it will be easier to rub the prints off or else put it down as
a cost of marketing.



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

In a message dated 12/9/2007 3:44:06 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
stephengledhill@... writes:

"I know  the simple way to avoid fingerprints on prints is 'don't touch  the
print'.  But it's not easy and of course it's not always under  your
control."
and
"Back to my original point - it's not always  possible stop someone (a
potential customer for example) from touching a  print." 



It is usually a problem when the print is not completely dry, or hands are  
not clean (oily). Once dry, you shouldn't have that problem. Borders help,  
matting is even better to allow fingers to hold the print by the matte. Hinged  
mattes are easily tranferrable between prints.
 
HTH
Richard Massie



**************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest 
products.
(http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I give up after this ... and pardon me for being tetchy with my reply - but
you really should read the original post before firing off so called
answers.  I said:
 
"They show up most clearly in angled light in the unprinted or light areas.
Be very careful with your unprinted paper!"
And I said:
"BUT its surface shows finger marks from even the slightest touch, and even
with freshly washed clean hands."
 
So, yes Richard, it can be a problem when prints aren't dry - but again -
that WAS NOT the point of my post.  The unprinted paper is easily
fingermarked - so if you have visible borders they show up.  And yes - of
course matting helps.
 
Steve Gledhill


  _____  

From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
CorrPro96@...
Sent: 09 December 2007 21:08
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Digital BW] Re:Fingerprints

"I know the simple way to avoid fingerprints on prints is 'don't touch the
print'. But it's not easy and of course it's not always under your
control."
and
"Back to my original point - it's not always possible stop someone (a
potential customer for example) from touching a print." 

It is usually a problem when the print is not completely dry, or hands are 
not clean (oily). Once dry, you shouldn't have that problem. Borders help, 
matting is even better to allow fingers to hold the print by the matte.
Hinged 
mattes are easily tranferrable between prints.

HTH
Richard Massie
<http://geo.yahoo.com/serv?s=97359714/grpId=3702311/grpspId=1705019182/msgId
=89135/stime=1197234496/nc1=5008817/nc2=3848627/nc3=4507179> 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

All inkjet media should be handled with cotton gloves, especially before printing.

Steve don't let em get ya down. :)

Charles.

----- Original Message ----
From: stephengledhill <stephengledhill@...>
To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, December 9, 2007 1:25:55 PM
Subject: RE: [Digital BW] Re:Fingerprints

I give up after this ... and pardon me for being tetchy with my reply - but
you really should read the original post before firing off so called
answers. I said:

"They show up most clearly in angled light in the unprinted or light areas.
Be very careful with your unprinted paper!"
And I said:
"BUT its surface shows finger marks from even the slightest touch, and even
with freshly washed clean hands."

So, yes Richard, it can be a problem when prints aren't dry - but again -
that WAS NOT the point of my post. The unprinted paper is easily
fingermarked - so if you have visible borders they show up. And yes - of
course matting helps.

Steve Gledhill

_____ 

From: DigitalBlackandWhit eThePrint@ yahoogroups. com
[mailto:DigitalBlackandWhit eThePrint@ yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of
CorrPro96@aol. com
Sent: 09 December 2007 21:08
To: DigitalBlackandWhit eThePrint@ yahoogroups. com
Subject: Re: [Digital BW] Re:Fingerprints

"I know the simple way to avoid fingerprints on prints is 'don't touch the
print'. But it's not easy and of course it's not always under your
control."
and
"Back to my original point - it's not always possible stop someone (a
potential customer for example) from touching a print." 

It is usually a problem when the print is not completely dry, or hands are 
not clean (oily). Once dry, you shouldn't have that problem. Borders help, 
matting is even better to allow fingers to hold the print by the matte.
Hinged 
mattes are easily tranferrable between prints.

HTH
Richard Massie
<http://geo.yahoo. com/serv? s=97359714/ grpId=3702311/ grpspId=17050191 82/msgId
=89135/stime= 1197234496/ nc1=5008817/ nc2=3848627/ nc3=4507179> 

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]





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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]