Crane & Co. has been manufacturing the finest cotton papers here in the U.S. since 1801. Crane & Co. is one of only about 70 U.S. companies from the 18th Century (late 1700's) that are still in operation today. Well known for Stationery and Currency papers (they make paper base for the folding money in your wallet), Crane also manufactures an array of high technology papers used throughout industry. Museo Digital Printmaking Papers are just one more of the new, innovative lines of papers from the craftsmen at Crane.
MUSEO was Crane's first digital art paper. Unlike many of the popular digital art papers on the market, Crane not only uses 100% cotton fibers, but obtains a good whiteness without the use of optical brighteners, which often cause the paper to yellow over time. They also buffer their papers with calcium carbonate to prevent environmental acidification.
Epson saw the quality of this paper and introduced it into their line of ProGraphics papers as "Epson Smooth Fine Art Paper." It was converted for Epson in a slightly lighter 225gsm weight (vs. Crane's Museo standard of 250gsm) as rolls, and in a 425gsm sheet (rather than the Museo standard of 365gsm). NOTE: Although Epson recently discontinued the Epson Smooth Fine Art Paper, InkjetART may be able to obtain rolls and sheets of this product for you, if you still have a need for this product (call 1-800-256-0360, and ask for any of our sales people). The PAN Pro (365gsm) 13 x 40" is a unique product that also comes in an almost indestructible shipping box that is virtual impossible for shippers to damage (our customers treasure and re-use these boxes many times).
MUSEO ARTIST CARDS: Are a unique, pre-scored, dual-side coated fine art product, complete with matching envelopes, and package in Crane's distinctive black boxes. NEW: We've recently added two new sizes to our line (they've been available from Crane for some time, now): the ""Panoramic" Museo Artist Card (3.875" x 9.125"), and the square "Baronial" Museo Artist Card (5.25" x 5.25"). Here are pictures of these products, along with profiles and templates from Crane: http://www.crane.com/museo/artistcards.aspx
To order, go to:
What makes the Crane Museo Artist Cards so UNIQUE from other cards we carry is their extremely precise pre-scoring method, unlike others who "bump" the card stock with a score line that indents and weakens the paper to create a fold line. This "bumping" is done by striking the paper with a blunt metal score blade that indents the paper on one side, and slightly bulges the card stock on the other side. This bulge can sometime interfere with printing, causing the print head to rub against the bulge or score line (although raising the print head to the "envelope" position can sometimes overcome this problem. On the other hand, the Crane Museo Artist Card pre-score is a very precise partial cut that is virtually invisible until the card is folded. Once folded, the Museo score lays flatter than any other scoring method. And even though Crane's pre-score method is a partial cut, their cotton fibers are so strong that we've never seen any tearing or other similar problems. Clearly, this is a superior card!
Cards shown unfolded. The Crane Museo Artist Card is on the right, and the partial-cut scoring is so precise, it's hard to even see, yet the standard "bump" strike score on the other card is very apparent, and can even hit your print head in some applications, unless you use the "envelope" printing position provided on some printers.
Cards shown folded. The Crane Museo Artist Card is on the right again. The partial-cut scoring is so precise, it make a very clean edge fold and spine. The standard score on the other card produces a more ragged spine when folded.
Cards shown folded, but viewed from edge. Notice how much flatter the Crane Museo Artist Card (on top) lays compared to the cards that use the standard type of score.
MUSEO II: a dual-side coated paper was Crane's next digital paper. It has been very competitive with two other popular dual-side coated fine art papers which are either more expensive, or heavily rely on fluorescent brighteners. This means that Museo II is less subject to yellowing or other color shifts over time (a brightened paper or coating may look great today, but it will undoubtedly yellow or shift color over time - in fact, the Library of Congress defines an archival paper to be OBA-free). The lack of optical brighteners also means that this inkjet paper will not fluoresce in mixed light environments that may contain UV illumination.
MUSEO MAX: was introduced last fall at the NYC Photo East show to rave reviews, and continues to astound people with it incredible D-Max for a matte fine art paper.
MUSEO SILVER RAG: is Crane's most recent digital fine art paper. It breaks tradition with the rest of the Museo line by giving us a somewhat semi-gloss finish, similar to an air-dried fiber-base glossy B/W paper ("silver gelatin" as the purist call it). This paper is not only extremely hard to manufacture to Crane's exacting standards, but its popularity makes it hard for both Crane and InkjetART to currently keep it in stock! Currently it is only available in rolls, though we are hopeful to have smaller sheets by the end of the month.
MUSEO LINE COMPARED: For your information, Crane has supplied us with the following obtainable D-Max averages (using the Epson UltraChrome ink) for each of their papers:
CRANE PAPER
D-MAX
Original Museo
1.50 - 1.55
Crane Museo Artist Cards
Similar to original Museo
Museo II
1.60 - 1.65
Museo Max
1.68 - 1.70*
Museo Silver Rag
2.40 - 2.50**
*Post-coating the paper with a protective spray coating can often boast the D-Max of this paper to well over 2.00, but will also change its artistic, "watercolor" surface texture.
**This incredible D-Max for a true, fiber-base (100% cotton) paper surpasses many of the tests we've seen for RC (Resin coated or polyethylene "barrier layer") glossy or luster photo inkjet papers with "premium" or micro-porous coatings!
These quality compatible cartridges have been reduced for another week to only $4.49 each, whether you buy only one cartridge or five of each color! These Epson-compatible cartridges is guaranteed to work and perform to your satisfaction in these popular Epson printers: R200, R220, R300, R300M, R320, R340. RX500, RX600, RX620. To order at these REDUCED PRICES, go to our Weekly Special:
If you go to our "InkAlike.com" page, you will find the old, higher prices still listed but you'll still get the same price once the cartridges are in your shopping cart: http://www.inkalike.com/ijas/r300.html
Many times one needs a quality scan from color transparencies or negatives. Because many have switched to digital capture, this need often comes from the need to make digital inkjet prints from existing film images.
One can purchase a good 35mm film scanner these days for about $1,000 to $2,000; however, a good medium format film scanner can cost twice that amount, and a film scanner that can also do 4x5 film can easily run $5,000 to $15,000. Epson's Perfection 4990 PHOTO ($499.99) flatbed scanner does a fairly decent job on medium and 4x5 film (for a flatbed scanner), but its lens is NOT optimized to scan 35mm film for high-resolution output (lacking in sharpness). Even though the model 4990 has the hardware resolution to produce a substantial size file (about 4800 x 7200 pixels, or about 99MB RGB), the scan would be lacking in detail. The new Epson Perfection V700 PHOTO ($549.99), with its dual lens system is better suited for doing 35mm film, and will even show a sharpness improvement on medium format film over the model 4990. Call us at 1-800-777-2076, and ask for any of our sales people, if you're interested in getting this scanner.
Despite these options, one doesn't always want to bother with scanning film, and would prefer a professional lab to do the scanning, especially if one only has an occasional need. There are also occasions when one has a volume project with so many images to scan, one would just as soon let someone else do the less creative, or "boring" work of scanning.
INEXPENSIVE SCAN OPTION: One of the inexpensive ways we've recently discovered to get quality scans is by sending your negatives or transparencies to a professional photo lab that has a Noritsu 3200 series scanner / printer / processor. These days, whether a photo lab receives digital files or actual film to process and print, the Noritsu can handle it all -- even medium film sizes up to 6cm x 9cm (2.67 x 3.54 inches), as well as existing mounted 35mm slides. When the lab receives film (processed or unprocessed), the technicians just run the film through the scanning module of the Noritsu QSS 3200 series. A whole roll of processed film can be scanned in only a few seconds, if only 4x6 prints are needed (each image is scanned to about 4.5MB). If larger prints are needed (the printing and processing unit can handle up to 12" x 36" enlargements), each film scan takes a little longer, but is still extremely fast. The scanner module portion is capable of scans up to about 50MB from 35mm film and about 90MB from medium format film (RGB, 8-bits/channel). Check out the Noritsu Web site for more info on this equipment:
We suggest you find a photo lab in your area with a Noritsu that is willing to JUST make scans for you (without photo prints, unless you want them). The average price we've seen for 50MB or higher scans from existing transparencies and negatives is about $10.00 if you only need one image scanned. If you have about 100 images to scan, the prices can average as low as $3.50 each!
Those labs with the older, QSS 2900 series Noritsu can only make scans up to 18MB, but we've seen some labs with this older services offering deals as low $0.30 per scan when ordering 100 or more scans at a time! We tried this service and used these 18MB scans to make 11x14 prints that were very clean and tack sharp (the Noritsu scanning software includes Digital ICE for removing dust and scratches). Most of the labs will also charge you about $5.00 per CD-R (holding about 700MB) to transfer and store those scans. Some charge an additional $5.00 fee to print out an index of thumbnails or provide software to view thumbnails of the scans, if you want these options.
June 2 Update:
We've discovered that many Costco locations (click on "Locations" in the upper right corner, and enter your Zip Code) that have a photo department have the Noritsu QSS model 3101 or model 3111. These are capable of making the 2048 x 3072 pixel resolution scans (18MB) from 35mm slides or negatives for only 29 cents each, and without a copy-to-CD charge! (Some stores have the model 3400, which we have not as yet determined if it can go to the 2048 x 3072 pixel resolution.) Be cautious though, as our tests showed that some operators can be sloppy. Some operators scanned our slides slightly off-center (cropping off one side and including part of the slide mount on the other side of the scan). In one order we tested, about 50% of the scans were slightly out of focus, compared to other Noritsu scans we'd received.
QUALITY SCANS: A reliable source for 18MB (2048 x 3072) Noritsu scans is RELICOLOR LABS (located in the same building as InkjetART.com). We've found them to be very professional and consistent in quality. They charge only 30 cents per scan when you place an order from 100 or more slides/negatives (35mm size only). To check out their quality, you can get just a few scanned for 46 cents each (plus a $5.00 CD-R charge. Ask for Charlene Mangelson:
http://www.replicolor.com/
Here is a non-InkjetART review -- one of the first we've seen that was honest and fair (both pros and cons). Although it's from a competitor, we look for truth and will point you to it, wherever we find it!:
OUR REVIEW: We just received our iPF5000 demo unit yesterday, and Chris Bair has been running tests and profiles long into the night. You can read his first impressions linked from the Web page listed below. We also have a profiled test print from this printer you can order, and make your own observations and comparisons (see the yellow-shaded box to the right of the Canon printer picture). For reviews, test prints, pricing and order info, go to:
The Epson StoryTeller Photo Book Creator now be found under the following menu selection path: "Misc" > "Book Kits" > "Epson StoryTeller," (or use the link below) and it's now 10% off Epson's regular prices for the next 30 days!
These easy-to-use kits come in three sizes: 5x7 w/10 pages, 8x10 w/10 pages, and 8x10 w/20 pages. The book system includes a hard cover, a printable, wrap-around cover sheet, a clear jacket cover, blank inside pages for printing, and easy binding system with complete instructions. Each kit utilizes Epson's Premium Glossy Photo Paper, along with a quick and easy binding system that is incorporated into each sheet. With StoryTeller, you can celebrate and relive your memories like never before. And, StoryTeller photo books make great gifts for weddings, birthdays, and other occasions.
One of our readers wanted us to point out the software that comes with the StoryBook is PC only - it does not run on a Mac, BUT the actual StoryBook still does work fine on a Mac if you know your way around Photoshop and can layout your own images on the 5x7 or 8x10 pages.
While supplies last (no "rain checks"), you can get the following bulk inks at 67% off our regular prices. That's 1/3 our regular prices. (NOTE: this sale EXCLUDES the Lyson Cave Paint inks.):
Lyson Lysonic Ink
Lyson Fotonic Ink
Lyson Monochrome inks
Lyson Small Gamut ink
MIS Color Archival Ink
MIS Quadtone Ink
MediaStreet Generations Enhanced Micro-Bright
Just add the ink to your shopping cart to see the lower, discounted price! Follow the links from this HOME page (under "3rd Party Archival Inks"):
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"Inkjet NEWS & Tips" is published by
Royce Bair, Editor royce@inkjetart.com
Inkjet Solutions for Photo-realistic & Archival Fine Art Printing
http://www.inkjetART.com/
Inkjet Art Solutions
8100 s. 1300 w., Suite A
West Jordan, UT 84088
Phone: 801-256-0360 Fax: 801-256-0369
(c) Copyright 2006 The Stock Solution, All Rights Reserved
No portion of this publication may be reproduced or re-published
without written permission from Royce Bair or his stock photography agency, The Stock Solution.
Send your comments to Royce Bair royce@inkjetart.com.
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All longevity estimates should be treated as such, Inkjet Art Solutions is not liable for pre-mature fading of prints or damage to printers through use of our products. Be sure to properly research your purchase and follow the directions given. If you need help, please contact us.
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