Paper Chase Permajet Fibre Base Gloss

This is a brand new paper. So new in fact that the very few experimental sheets around were being couriered about the country to get a couple of prints ready in time for the SWPP & BPPA Convention.

Initially we had only three A4 sheets. We made a profile with a 343-swatch target using the X-Rite Pulse (the only spectro to hand which can build a profile from a single A4 sheet). For the record we used an Epson 4800 using Photo Black ink, set for Photo Glossy Paper at 2880dpi and with the High Speed turned off. Having made and installed the profile we ran a colour audit on the second sheet. The data are summarised in the table.

In a nutshell the overall error came in at 2.98 ÄE2000, compared with our all-comer's average of 3.30 – so far, so good! As far as we can recall (or find in our archives) the skin-tone accuracy and overall grey accuracy are the best we have ever achieved

Paper Chase

Black and White

Although it turned out to be a spectacular skin-tone reproducer, Fibre Base Gloss was intended initially to be a traditional monochrome look-alike. We made a couple of prints using images provide by Paul Gallagher. They were quite stunning, especially the deep and rich Glen Coe image, published in the last issue. The look and feel was very much that of a traditional print and it set us off on an archaeology expedition into the filing cabinet to find some Record Rapid and Ilford Multigrade Fibre Base prints. These had been selenium toned some 15 years ago. The data are summarised in the table.

Paper Chase

The data illustrate just how similar the materials are in base reflectivity. The Fibre Base Gloss was slightly cooler and slightly less glossy than either Record Rapid or Ilford Multigrade FB. The Spectral Power Distribution (SPD) reveals the largest difference between ink-jet and silver halide – note the greater fluctuation in the spectral trace of the ink-jet, this is the root cause of the residual metamerism in the ink set. It is barely detectable by eye though, not a matter of concern!

CONCLUSIONS

This paper is an interesting addition to the options available for the monochrome and colour specialist. In the same month as Nikon announces that it is no longer to produce a vast swath of their film-based products, the arrival of something that looks so like silver halide is ironic! The colour audit data speak for themselves, this paper will do the business.

Paper Chase

The price is expected to be £24.95 for 25xA4 and pro-rata for A3, working out at roughly £1 and £2 per sheet. It is expected that samples and (possibly stock) will be available at Focus so put a visit on your list of stands and see for yourself.

Paper Chase