Epson 2200 and Bronzing (etched look)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Steve Hoffmann
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Steve Hoffmann

I just got my new 2200 up and running. I printed a nice portrait using ICM
mode with premium semi-gloss. The colors are spot on but the print was a
little flat looking and I was surprised to see so much bronzing. I cranked
up the ink intensity to 10 and it helped both contrast and the bronzing.
Will going to +20 on ink intensity get rid of the bronzing? I hate use much
more ink fiddling around...:^) How about premium luster? Does it have a
smoother finish? More or less gloss than semi-gloss? Less bronzing? I can
live with premium semi-gloss at +10 ink or more if necessary, but a little
guidance would be appreciated....

Thanks, Steve
 
Steve, are you looking at the prints when they are first done and see this?
Have you looked at the prints after they have sat for a few hours? It seems
to take a while to see the true colors.
 
You can minimze the effect using the luster paper, but you will still see a
difference in reflectivity between the areas with ink and the plain paper
background.
You can eliminiate the effect completely if you use matt paper, but you will not
get the same depth of tone in the blacks.
If you look at a printed magazine on coated stock at an sharp angle you will see
the same effect. Any ink type which primarily sits on the surface causes a
change in the reflectivity.
I find luster the best compromise between dynamic range of the image and less
noticeable surface effects. In addition it is one of the few available in 13"
rolls which means you can print any size you want without waste.

If you mount your pictures under glass, or store them in plastic photo pages,
you won't see the effect unless you look at a very steep angle.
Just the nature of the beast..
 
[snip]
I find luster the best compromise between dynamic range of the image and less
noticeable surface effects.

As far as Epson papers go, I concur. There are other glossy/luster papers
out there, however, which offer, imo, far better performance for the
professional. Many of the folks I know that use a 2200 for glossy color
output select either Pictorico or Legion for their high-end product, and use
Epson Premium Luster for the rest. For example, if you place a print made
on EPL next to one made on Pictorico PGHG white film, the difference is
startling. Needless to say, though, both Pictorico and Legion papers are
not cheap.
In addition it is one of the few available in 13"
rolls which means you can print any size you want without waste.

I personally find the roll option to be useful only when printing large,
repetitive projects. The cost/sq.ft. is virtually identical to cut sheets,
the wastage issue is always there unless you print *everything* borderless
(which is never the case), and the curl memory of the coated papers is a BIG
problem, so much so that the 4" rolls are unusable. In fact, I've re-curled
prints backwards on a used roller for a week and in just a day or two they
go right back to where they were before.

BTW, you have some *very* nice images on your site. Well done.
 
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