Q: Best paper options for high quality black and white photo print...

I'm new to the forum so please excuse me if I'm posting this in the wrong area and pardon my ignorance using erroneous terminology.

I've been working on a project for 2 years now and am having difficulty producing a relatively scratch resistant black and white photograph meant for framing. I'm currently using "premium satin matte " 300gr photo paper and premium HP dyes in a commercial inkjet printer. The issue I'm experiencing are prints that are highly susceptible to both printing artifacts as well as post printing scratches/smudges of the images. They are extremely fragile. Up to 1/3 of my prints are not of sufficient quality to frame due to these imperfections. The scratches are esp. visible due to the entire background of the image being pitch black while the image on the black background is various shades of gray and white. I have attached a sample of what I'm printing. It's mag'd up significantly. This portion of the image doesnt have any of the scratches...it just shows my desired output.

I'd appreciate any guidance concerning the optimal print process, dyes, printers, techniques, and paper for production of black and white photographs (meant to frame), 10" x 20", where the background is pure black.

Thanks,
Houston

 

Hi Houston,

To be honest, Dye based ink won't give you the best quality (even though the colors can be pretty vivid upfront). The inks lye on top of the media so the longevity won't last as long and it can be pretty easy to scratch without a protection. If you want to get the best quality for your B&W images, the option is to go a printer that has 3 blacks (Epson) or the other brands (HP and Canon) that have Black and Gray's to give you this output. Epson printers with the K3 have been proven to be great B&W printers. We also sell the fine art brands if you're interested in finding a paper with high B&W quality to match your image.

IT Supplies
800-238-6050

 

Thank you for the reply. So the Epson and K3 you mention above isn't the same type of ink that lies on top of the media? I guess fundamentally I'm trying to decide whether to stick to inkjet format in general and optimize it (as I think you are referring to with the Epson & 3k) OR foregoing inkjet altogether and taking a more expensive avenue.

I do appreciate the insight.

 

Dye based in sits on top of the media vs inkjet that "seeps" a little into the media to give the better ability for longevity and better against scratches and marks. Printers like the Epson R3000, Pro 3880 and larger with have the K3 blacks for the best B&W printing. Than, it depends on the media you used for your images.

let us know if we can assist you any further.
800-238-6050

 

I always thought that dye ink seeped as much or more into the same media as pigment ink, both inkjet. It's late as I'm typing this so maybe the thread isn't clicking for me.
I would also think the scratchability and ink-seep into the stock depends a lot on the stock you are printing on and its coating.
Finally, if you are framing the prints why does the scratchability matter that much - how would the prints get scratched under glass?