Paper Chase Breathing Color Canvas Options from the Imaging Warehouse

We look at three canvas options from Breathing Color, media that is now imported and distributed by the Imaging Warehouse. The three are different in terms of cost, construction and intended use. At the top of the tree stands Lyve Canvas with its enhanced chromata coating for a high-gamut performance without the use of OBAs. Next comes Crystalline Gloss with a self-glossy finish and finally the budget Economy 800, a brightened product intended for ‘decor use only’ rather than fine art, limited-edition printing.

Testing

We had to decide which type of ink to employ from our Epson 4900. The media are compatible with both, but for optimum performance we choose Matt Black with Lyve and Economy 800 and Photo Black for the glossy Crystalline canvas.

For profiling we continued testing the X-Rite i1 Publish and used a 727-patch scrambled target for Lyve and Economy 800 but ran into trouble with Crystalline – more on that later. We chose Auto for platen gap (against the advice on the Breathing Color website) but got away with it most of the time. The 4900 with its back-tensioning holds canvas nice and flat. In all instances we employed the new HiGAM audit target but measured the effect of the BC varnishes, the newer Timeless product and the older Glamour Gloss II.

Lyve Canvas

This is the premium product, intended for fine art reproduction, limited-edition and exhibition printing of the highest quality. The Breathing Color website is as bullish as ever over the performance and we mentioned this a year ago when we first reviewed the media. However, we continue to be impressed; there is a richness to the prints even before they are varnished and with the more stringent numerical auditing we carry out today, it still held up well.

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