"SOMERSET VELVET" FINE ART PAPERS: ELIMINATING THE CONFUSION
There are five "Somerset Velvet" type papers on the market today that all originate from the same Somerset Velvet paper, and three of these are marketed and distributed as EPSON papers. We'll go over these papers one by one to help eliminate the confusion:
Somerset Velvet - Also known as "Somerset Velvet Radiant White". This mould made paper (the closet machine process to handmade) comes from the St. Cuthberts Mill which is the only commercial papermill now surviving near Wells in Somerset, England . Somerset Velvet was formulated in the early 1990's in association with Legion Paper (who is Somerset Velvet's exclusive U.S. importer and distributor) as one of the world's first digital papers for use in the emerging Iris giclee industry. It soon became the most popular digital fine art paper in the world. Although Somerset Velvet is not considered a "coated" digital paper, it does have ingredients within the paper that help it reduce ink dot gain and increase its brightness, producing the widest color space of all uncoated fine art papers. Fairly good results are obtainable with Iris printers and plotter inkjet printers (i.e. the Epson) using dye-based inks, but pigmented inks print pretty flat (low contrast and low color saturation) with this uncoateded paper. SV is 100% cotton, acid-free, with a slightly textured velvet finish (vellum) that is similar to a watercolor paper. SV is radiant white. Available in desktop size sheets, large sheets, and rolls.
Somerset Photo Enhanced - is the same Somerset Velvet base stock as above, but it is coated with an inkjet receptive surface treatment to increase color gamut, resolution, and maximize ink loads. Distributed exclusively by Legion Paper in the U.S. Although SPE allows you to produce a print with a very high resolution, the ink looks like it's in the paper, not on it, giving a slight softness to the image. This paper is for artists and photographers who demand an inkjet paper that shares the same texture and feel of a watercolor paper. Excellent results are obtainable with both dye and pigment inks, but dye inks will fade quite quickly on this paper (and any of the three papers that follow). Despite the rapid fading with dye inks, many photographers use this paper with their Epson 1280 printers (and the Epson dye inks) to produce portfolio book pages that are already over 2 years old and still look great. (By the way, the type of a coating process used on the SPE is different than the coating process that is use on the Hahnemuhle line of fine art papers, which although gives slightly greater D-Max, and resolution, tends to appear more like photographic papers than fine art papers. Unlike the Somerset coatings, which "stain" or seep more into the paper, the Hahnemuhle coatings reside more on the surface of the paper, and have less abrasion resistance, causing them to "flake" off at times.) SPE is radiant white, is 100% cotton, acid-free, with a velvet finish (vellum). SPE also comes in a "Textured" finish that more closely represents the texture of the original uncoated Somerset Velvet. Available in desktop size sheets, large sheets, and rolls. Desktop sheets are 17 mil thick and weight 225 gsm; rolls are 19 mil, 255 gsm.
Somerset Velvet For EPSON (in rolls) - This product is virtually the same product as Somerset Photo Enhanced (made by the St. Cuthberts Mill in Somerset, England). One significant change is the roll length of this paper: 50 feet, vs. the shorter 33' Legion Paper uses for their Somerset Photo Enhanced. Longer rolls are more economical and less hassle for bigger printing jobs.
Somerset Velvet For EPSON (sheets) - This is a product made by the St. Cuthberts Mill exclusively for Epson. Although the paper base and coating are similar to Somerset Photo Enhanced, the thickness and weight of this paper (36 ml, 505 gsm) sets it apart from all other papers! Available only in large-format sheets: 24" x 30", 36" x 44", and 44" x 60".
EPSON Velvet Fine Art Paper - This paper uses the original Somerset Velvet paper base (from St. Cuthberts Mill), but the coating is totally different, and this is done by Epson. This coating is somewhat similar to the Hahnemuhle coatings, that are more on the surface and tend to "flake" a little with abusive handling, but these coatings do give slightly higher D-Max's, slightly higher resolutions, and higher color saturation. Available only in U.S. letter size and 13" x 19" sheets (19 ml, 260 gsm). Complete specifications on this new paper can be found on this page: http://www.inkjetart.com/pro/fact_sheets/ (Click on the PDF, "Epson Velvet Fine Art Paper".) This paper was introduced briefly by Epson, but distribution was temporarily interrupted by the West Coast dock closures. Epson Velvet has just (11/07/02) resurfaced and is now available in limited supplies.
YAZOO MAILING TUBES FOR SHIPPING YOUR INKJET PRINTS
We've discovered that Yazoo Mills makes the strongest mailing tubes in the world. Without a doubt, this is your best source for mailing tubes that will never allow your inkjet prints to be crushed! Almost all companies that make mailing tubes use 0.08" thick cardboard walls. That's O.K. for a 2" or 2.5" diameter tube, but a 4" diameter tube needs a wall almost twice that thick (0.15") to be crush resistant. Yazoo Mills tubes are that thick. For instance, their 6" diameter mailing tubes can be ordered with a massive 0.25: (1/4 inch) thickness.
It's also very desirable to have tubes that are larger in diameter (5", 6", 8", 10" or even 12 inches), so that your prints arrive with less curl memory, especially if you are using thicker fine art papers in the 250 gsm or higher weights. Ever wonder how you would ship any of the super thick 425 gsm printed sheets of Epson Smooth Fine Art Paper or Textured Fine Art? Shipping a 24" x 30" print can be pretty risking sometimes (we've shipped BairArtEditions.com prints out in their original Epson boxes and still have had shippers kink the boxes and crease the prints inside). Yazoo's 6" diameter tubes will handle the 425 gsm weight quite nicely. However, for creaseless rolling, we recommend you roll the print loosely around a 4" or a 5" tube, wrap a strip of junk paper around the art print, secure the strip with adhesive tape (to prevent the print from unrolling*), slide the tube out, and then insert the rolled print into the 6" tube. All Yazoo tubes come with plastic snap-on end caps (we suggest that these caps be securely taped before shipping). If you plan to ship Epson's super thick 505 gsm "Somerset Velvet For Epson", we'd recommend the 8", 10" or even 12" tubes.
*Your receiving client will appreciate getting a print that is easy to slide out of the tube, rather than a print that is snug against the inside walls of the mailing tube. When you use this method, it is important to fill any extra space with tissue paper, so the print does not slide back and forth in the tube. The Yazoo Mills web site is located at:
EPSON "DIRECT ACCOUNT" STATUS GIVEN TO INKJET ART SOLUTIONS
Inkjet Art Solutions (Inkjetart.com) was recently given "direct account" status by Epson. This allows us to buy directly from Epson, rather than going through Epson's authorized distributors. "Direct account" dealerships are offered to those dealers that purchase $1 million or more in Epson products. Although we can usually obtain better wholesale pricing direct from Epson, rather than going through a distributor, the benefit to you is product AVAILABILITY. While most Epson dealers purchase Epson products from one or two distributors, we have accounts with six Epson distributors. Now with our direct account status, we have even greater access to hard-to-get Epson products, and the ability to keep more of the Epson products you use IN STOCK!
LOWER PRICING FOR EPSON STYLUS PHOTO 1280 (in addition to the $100 rebate)
As you probably know by now, Epson has a $100 mail-in rebate for the Epson 1280 printer, effectively lowering the price from $499 to $399. IN ADDITION, Inkjet Art has discounted our selling price for the 1280. Although our advertised price is still $499 on our Web site (conforming to Epson UMAP guidelines), you can ask for and receive a special online price quote (instantly, via email) by going to our Web site and clicking on the "Instant Price Quote" button. If you live in Utah, and can come to our store for your purchase, we can quote you an even lower price (call 256-0360)!
Epson is replacing the popular and award-winnning C80 printer with the C82, but while supplies last, you can still order the C80 for $129 (the C82 is $149):
Although the new C82 claims to produce higher horizontal resolution (5760 x 720 dpi vs. 2880 x 720 dpi), PCWorld.com gives the C82 a "fair-to-middle print quality" rating . The C80 is still one of the fastest, and least expensive to operate "office" type inkjet printers Epson has ever produced.
NEW MICRO CERAMIC LUSTER - Big savings on a popular paper type
If you are currently using one of these inkjet papers:
Epson Premium Luster Photo Paper
lford Galerie Smooth Pearl
Lyson Professional Photo Satin
Lumijet Genuine Pearl
...basically, you've already used our Inkjetart Micro Ceramic Luster -- you just paid too much! All of these papers use virtually the same inkjet coating technology: Micro-porous (micro-ceramic "inkwell" receptors), which is the most advanced inkjet coating technology available today. Our Inkjetart Micro Ceramic Luster is very economically priced, and will give you virtually the same results you are getting now with your Epson UltraChrome or Epson Archival PIGMENTS inks (using the Epson 2200, 2000P, 7600, 9600, 5500, 7500, 9500 and 10000 Archival ink printers). For more information and pricing, go to:
EPSON 2200 PRINTERS TO REMAIN IN SHORT SUPPLY THRU NOVEMBER
Supplies of the the popular Epson 2200 Stylus Photo printer continue to be scarce. Epson has put this printer on severe allocation. Virtually no distributors or dealers are receiving any supplies of this printer until December, except for some of the super stores that have contract agreements with Epson. Check with CompUSA, Costco.com (not the physical stores), Fry's Electronics, and B&H Photo Video. To check the current shipping status of the Epson 2200 printers, go to:
http://www.inkjetart.com/EpsonStylusPhoto2200/status.html
WEST COAST DOCK CLOSURES CAUSING SOME DELAYS FOR ROLL MEDIA
Although the U.S. west coast dock closures only lasted about 10 days (9/29 - 10/9/02), it has created a 10-12 week backlog ripple in the distribution channels, causing some current delays for Epson Premium Glossy Photo Paper in the 24" roll sizes and previous delays for the Epson Premium Luster Photo Paper. You may also see some delays with other papers imported from Asia.
GOOD "ECLIPSE" SUPPLIES - NEW COMPANY TO TAKE OVER PRODUCTION
BrightCube, the company that makes our popular "ECLIPSE" double-side coated fine art paper has officially gone bankrupt, but we have good supplies of this paper in all sheet sizes. No rolls sizes are available at the moment.
We are in contact with a company that is going to take over the Eclipse paper line. The paper will continue be produced at the same mill. The coating of the paper will take place at a different location. At the moment we can not disclose the name of the company that is taking over the Eclipse paper line, but we will continue to keep you informed.
Due to our increased distribution channels and direct account with Epson, we now have better supplies of the 7600 UltraChrome printers.. We can usually ship you a printer within 7 to 10 days (or less) of your request. We can usually ship 9600 UltraChrome printers within one to three weeks (or less) of your request. Our prices are $2995 and $4995, respectively. Shipping within the continental U.S. is FREE. Online ordering is not required to get free shipping for these products. Simply call 1-800-777-2076
220 ml CARTRIDGES CAN BE USED IN THE 7600 PRINTERS
Epson has always indicated that the 7600 Pro Stylus printer could only use the 110 ml cartridges, and not the larger, 220 ml cartridges. One of the advantages of purchasing a 9600 printer is that you were able to use either size cartridge (even both sizes at the same time), and that the 220 ml cartridge gave one a 22% ink cost savings. Internet discussion groups, like the Yahoo Epson 9000 list, have often hinted that the larger cartridge could be used in the 7600 printer, but some members of the group have worried about compatibility, print head damage if the cartridges dried up due to improper ink monitoring, causing warranty issues, and etc.
A recent discussion with Mark Radogna, Epson's Senior Product Manager of Professional Graphics, cleared the air on this controversy. Epson's 220 ml cartridges can be used in the 7600 model printers, and their IC chips will tell the printer that they are a 220 ml cartridge, and the printer will accurately monitor the ink levels (both via the firmware driver and via the LCD panel). If you want to start using the 220 ml cartridges in your 7600, you can start replacing the 110 ml cartridges as they go empty (its O.K. to mix cartridge sizes).
Why didn't Epson ever tell us this in the first place? Because, using the larger 220 ml cartridges in your 7600 printer is a LEGAL LIABILITY ISSUE. Epson cannot (and does not) recommend (or even suggest) that the larger cartridges be used in your 7600 printer because they could cause the printers to tip over and damage the printer or worse, injure someone. When you install 220 ml cartridges in your 7600 printer, they stick out further, and create greater unbalance, especially if the printer does not have an Epson stand anchoring it. Without the stand, leaning on top of the cartridges or placing a heavy object on the cartridges could tip over the printer. If the printer was on the edge of a table it could fall to the floor, causing damage to itself or injury to a person. The 7600 with a stand is better balanced for use with the 220 ml cartridges. Greater caution should be used if one decides to use the 220 ml cartridges in a 7600 printer without the use of the optional Epson stand. If you ever decide you'd like to upgrade your 7600 printer with a stand, go to the URL below:
FIRMWARE UPGRADE FOR EPSON 7600 & 9600 PRINTERS: BETTER INK USE MONITORING (saves you money)
Epson has a new firmware you can install that will enable the printer to more accurately monitor the amount of ink used, and therefore more accurately estimate the amount of ink left in your cartridges. Earlier firmware versions were sometimes telling you the cartridges were empty, when they had 20ml to 40ml of ink left in them! All firmware versions count the number of droplets used by the printer to predict when the cartridge is near empty and force you to replace the cartridge. However, the older versions counted every drop as if it were the largest droplet size. These printers have variable droplet print heads that deliver three droplet sizes, with the smallest being 4 picoliters (1 picolitre = 0.000 000 000 001 liter). The old firmware versions were inaccurately calculating greater ink consumption whenever the printer was printing midtone and highlight areas (which typically use the two smaller droplet sizes). Older firmware also inaccurately measured the amount of ink used in the initial charge (when cartridges are put in the printer for the first time). The new firmware will leave less ink in the first set of cartridges, and will be even more accurate with each cartridge thereafter. (NOTE: some ink will always be left in "empty" cartridges, because allowing the cartridges to go completely dry can severely damage your print heads.)
Most of the 7600 and 9600 printers sold in October were shipped with the new firmware version (BN1928 for the 7600 UltraChrome, and BW1928 for the 9600 UltraChrome). To determine if you have the new version:
Print out a "nozzle check" pattern from the front Control Panel of your printer. Your printer's firmware version is printed just below the nozzle test pattern. The latest firmware version number should be:
BN1928 for the SP 7600
BW1928 for the SP 9600
If you have any of the following firmware versions below, you will
need to get the upgrade:
SP 7600 - BN3024, BN0526, BN2126
SP 9600 - BW3024, BW0525, BW2126
The top URL is for 7600 UltraChrome printer, the bottom URL is for 9600 UltraChrome printers. If you have a DYE ink model, go to the home page and follow the links to the dye version page.
....and download one of these two files:
Firmware Update vBN1928 (vBW1928 for the 9600)
Windows 95/98/Me/NT 4.0/2000/XP
...or
Firmware Update vBN1928 (vBW1928 for the 9600)
Macintosh System 8.6 - 9.22
NOTE: These downloaded files will be:
Stylus Pro 9600 ver. BW1928
epson10470.exe - PC download file
epson10471.sea.hqx - MAC download file
Stylus Pro 7600 ver. BN1928
epson10468.exe - PC download file
epson10469.sea.hqx - MAC download file
The unstuff or unzipped file will have the correct version name/number.
Then download the appropriate (Mac or Windows) utility right below it:
Printer Service Utility v1.10
...this utility is used to install the new firmware onto your printer. Do NOT install this upgrade through a server - install it directly from the computer that is attached (via USB, FireWire or Parallel cable) to your printer. The utility also has a great feature that guides you through setting up custom paper types for 3rd party media. It helps you key in the paper thickness and aids in the selection of the proper media setting.
NEW PRINTER PROFILES FOR EPSON MEDIA USED ON 7600/9600 ULTRACHROME PRINTERS
Bill Atkinson (working with Epson) has just completed four new premium profiles for printing on matte papers with the Epson Stylus Pro 9600 and 7600 printers. Bill has also revised the six profiles that he previously made for the coated papers.
All ten profiles, as well as a few useful test images and an updated "About..." document, are now available for free downloading from Bill's public file sharing folder at: http://homepage.mac.com/billatkinson
We just made another special purchase from Eastman Kodak of five (5) more of the slightly used Royal Sovereign, model NPH-1200N laminators. (When we mentioned that we had only four of these laminators in our September 30th newsletter, they were gone in 30 minutes!)
New NPH-1200N laminators can be purchased directly from Royal Sovereign for $876.00 each. The four laminators we purchased from Kodak were only used for 14 days during the 2002 Winter Olympics to make accreditation badges for photo-journalists. The Royal Sovereign NPH-1200N is a professional series, pouch-type, 12" desktop laminator. We are selling these laminators, while they last, for only $169.00 each (telephone orders only). Free shipping is NOT included (average cost is about $14). Call 1-800-777-2076 during business hours to order (we won't fill orders for voice messages). For more information on the NPH-1200N, go to:
Waterproofing that goes beyond any pigment ink or paper combination
Tremendous print durability
Economy
Use cheaper photo-matte papers, then laminate to a gloss finish
Greater image fade-resistance: Complete encapsulation is better than top-coat sprays, glass or album pages or sleeves. Wilhelm Imaging Research has been making us more aware that air exchange (ozone, oxygen and humidity) across the print's image can often play just as big a role in image fading as that caused by light. (Naturally, you wouldn't want to laminate a beautiful fine art paper or a canvas print, so glass, sleeves and sprays do have their place.)
NEW TELEPHONE SYSTEM AT INKJET ART & THE STOCK SOLUTION
In an effort to improve efficiency at Inkjet Art and its parent company: The Stock Solution, we've installed a new telephone system. Each employee and manager has their own extension and voice mail. Most of the time you will no longer get a receptionist to route your calls. You can now do this more efficiently yourself if you know the right extension. You do not have to listen to our opening greeting, you can immediately route yourself to any person, department or division by pressing the STAR (*) key and dialing the appropriate extension number at any time.
Main switch board number: 800-777-2076 or 801-256-0360
Fax line: 801-256-0369 Our normal business hours are Monday-Friday, 7:30 am to 5:30 pm Mountain Time (-7:00 GMT).
If you get the a digital sounding message saying, "Hello. Thank you for calling. Your call will be answered shortly.", this means all of the available lines (we have 4 incoming lines) are being used, and the system is searching for the next available line. This message may be repeated several times. When you transfer to an extension, you may also get this same message until the person or department answers. If the person at that extension does not answer after 3 or 4 repeats of this message, you will be transferred to voice mail, where you can leave a message. If you must talk immediately to someone, dial *11 for the receptionist, or dial *22 to go back to the main menu to try another extension.
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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 2005 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.
For more information regarding our policies, including our return policy, please visit our Policies Page
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