12/4/2000 Preliminary Test Results

Let me state one important fact right up front. These test results are based on test conditions that are slightly different that my normal tests. During part of this cycle, my heat was not on, the heat pump was not running, and there was no one in the house. After remediation efforts, the samples were exposed to light for about a week of the test period. These prints spent about a week in the ozone chamber, about a week in my basement with no, or minimal light, and about a week in a normal room environment. I suspect this is less severe than my normal ozone test, but really can't be sure.

I didn't bother to test these outside. I'm not convinced subjecting the prints to subfreezing temps will tell me anything meaningful.

For a full description of the ozone test, look here.

Nonetheless, a test sample of the old PGPP was included as a control, so while results might not be directly comparable to previous tests, they should be useful as a comparison to the old PGPP. I don't have scans ready yet, but will add them here when I get a chance.

Ilford Papers

The Ilford Heavyweight Semi-Matte and Glossy have been in my ozone chamber for more than 2 and a half months, and show absolutely no orange shift. Zero, Zip, Nada. The samples exposed outdoors, for the same length of time, do show slight color shift and fade, but it's less than the shift any of Epson's Premium papers show indoors, in just a few days.

New Vs. Old Premium Glossy

After 3 weeks the old PGPP is, as expected, significantly shifted, especially in the gray scale. About what I would have expected based on my prior tests.

The reformulated, "Revolutionary" PGPP, however, shows NO visible color shift! But remember that this paper has already been recalled by Epson. Royce Bair, of inkjetart.com, reports that the problem with this paper is that too much antioxidant was mixed in. I can't help but think the next version, with less antioxidant, might not work as well. We'll have to keep waiting, I guess.

Epson Premium Luster

I've already said I'm not fond of this surface. It's a fine pebble grain finish, and I have always preferred smooth finish papers for most things. But to each his or her own. It prints very well, with results very close to that on PGPP.

Unfortunately, it shifts like all the other Epson Premium papers. Almost as badly as the old PGPP. I certainly hope that once Epson gets the mix of antioxidants right, it will put them in all its Premium papers.

Weber Valentine Papers

The kind folks at Weber-Valentine sent me samples of 5 different papers to test. Some very interesting papers, and some very promising results.

WV 750-SSP Single Sided Glossy

Using the recommended Glossy Film setting, results are a bit warm. Too much ink-- it's still wet out of the printer, but shows improvement after a few minutes. The results are kind of soft, not sharp. Using the Backlit Film setting, results are even warmer than the glossy film setting. Otherwise, not much different.

Unfortunately, it also has orange shifted significantly. In fact, I think it's the worst of the WV papers I've tested.

WV 750-DGP Dual Sided Glossy

I expected this to just be a double sided version of the SSP, but it's much different. The best of the WV papers I have. Slightly too contrasty. It also seems a bit "soft" compared to PGPP. Not in terms of contrast, but sharpness. No puddling, bronzing or reticulation on the glossy film setting. The paper's not as glossy or as white as the PGPP, but it's pretty nice. The grayscale is a bit magenta compared to PGPP, and flesh tones are a bit pinker. Might be a very nice paper for portraits.

The best news: after 3 weeks, not even a hint of orange shift! I'll put this one back in the ozone chamber and see how it fares over a longer period.

WV JPG-170 Glossy

On the Glossy film setting, results are a bit warm. The paper can't handle all the ink--it's still wet out of the printer, but shows improvement after a few minutes. The results are kind of soft, not sharp. Using the backlit film setting it's even warmer than on glossy film. Otherwise, not much different.

It doesn't seem to be shifting, either!

WV 750-DMP Matte

Using the recommended EPP setting, results are slightly too warm and a bit too contrasty. A soft overall effect, probably very nice for portraits. A bit of rippling from the quantity of ink laid down. The HWM setting looks better. Still very warm, but the colors are more vibrant, and the contrast is better. I'd like this as a portrait paper, I think. Unfortunately, after three weeks it's shifted quite badly. Not quite as much as the old PGPP, but not much less. Maybe a good paper for "warm tone" portraits.

WV GWCS250 Matte

This is a heavy, textured matte paper. On the EPP setting the output is very grainy, with white spots in the image. Certainly not for photo-realistic printing. On the HWM setting, the effect is even stronger. Almost pointillist. I can think of some images this would be very interesting with. Certainly not a general purpose photo paper, but it could be very useful.

And, it doesn't seem to be shifting after 3 weeks!

Red River Papers

Red River Premium Gloss

After 2 and a half months in the ozone chamber, this paper does show a little bit of orange shift in the gray scale. But it's still slight: less that the old PGPP shows after a day or two. Not archival, but better than anything I've found so far except the Ilford papers.

Red River Klondike Gloss

As I reported before, I didn't get very good results with this paper. I found it couldn't handle the amount of ink laid down very well. At least one reader has taken issue with that, saying that she gets very good results. If I get time, I will try again, because the test sample hasn't shown any color shift after almost 6 weeks!

Summary

The new PGPP certainly looks like it's an improvement over the old stuff, but it's really too early to tell how much of an improvement. The Epson Luster seems to color shift just like all of Epson's new line of "Premium" papers. Not too surprising, since I'm sure they all share the same basic technology.

Weber Valentine has a couple of promising papers. In particular the 750-DGP looks good. Personally, I still like the Ilford Semi-Matte, but will admit the WV paper probably needs less tweaking to print. You'll likely need to back off the magenta a bit. The JPG-170 is doing well, too, although I like the 750-DGP better. The GWCS250 Matte also looks interesting. I'll keep all three of these going in the test.

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