Re: Ilford Semi-matte strange blacks

[Niels Gram Jeppesen <nielsgj@mips.com>]

Mark Graf wrote:
> 
> I recently began using Ilford Semi-matte paper on my 1270 given its reported orange plague resistance.  However, I am noticing a strange characteristic in the black areas of prints.  When looking at the print at various angles, the black areas have a splotchy iridescent pattern in them.  It isn't consistant thoughout the same print, and only seems to apply to the blacks.
> 
> This was after the print had dried for about 8 hours.  I am using the Backlit film paper setting, CMY levels at -10, 1440 dpi / HQ halftones.
> 
> Any experiences with this or how to resolve it?

I have the same problem. I had to adjust output levels to 10-255 as suggested by
Ilford to avoid severe bronzing in the black areas and then the print looks fine
right of the printer. But after some time, I noticed some strange effects in the
black areas when viewed from an angle. Ilford send me their "Insider's Guide to
Great Inkjet Photos" along with the paper. You may want to get a copy if you
like the paper. It seems that there can be two problems with this paper: Too
much black ink which does not penetrate into the paper and ink being jetted on
paper faster than it can be absorbed. Our problem with the paper is probably
that we get too much black ink. I think I have decided on Epson's HWM paper. I
can live with the matte finish.

Niels
-
Turn off HTML mail features. Keep quoted material short. Use accurate
subject lines. http://www.leben.com/lists for list instructions.