|
 |
Quick Find |
 |
|
|
|
Categories |
|
|
|
|
Information |
|
|
|
|
| 
Special Handling Notice When Using
Epson Premium Glossy Photo Paper
UPDATE January 7, 2001: The 3rd Version of PGPP has arrived. We have it available in letter size only at this time. It can be identified with a white sticker-label in the top-right corner that says: "Manufactured December 2000". Currently, our larger sizes of PGPP do not have this label, and appear to still be the 1st version.
CONTINUED PRECAUTIONS: Despite this new and improved 3rd Version, Epson still suggests that for best results and longer fade resistance, users follow the advice below:
The Following is from Epson's "Taking Care of Your Photographs"
As with traditional photos, proper care will minimize color changes and maximize display life. For indoor display, Epson recommends that prints be framed under glass or placed in a plastic sleeve to protect the prints from atmospheric contaminants like humidity, cigarette smoke, and high levels of ozone. And, as with all photographs, the prints should be kept out of direct sunlight. For proper storage, Epson recommends that your prints be stored in a photo album (or plastic photo storage box) in acid free, archival sleeves commonly available from most camera shops and other retailers.
HISTORY and BACKGROUND
WARNING - CYAN DYE FADING PROBLEMS: While the above advice is good for all of Epson's papers, the Epson Premium Glossy Photo Paper (PGPP) is especially susceptible to cyan dye fading caused by ozone gas. Exposure to high levels of ozone can cause PGPP prints to fade to an orange-red color. While some users of PGPP may never see ozone caused fading, other users may see the results within just a few weeks! This phenomenon is due to having the prints in different atmospheric conditions. (See "Lost in the Ozone: Epson Photos Fade" for more information.)
(Nov. 8, 2000) Byte Magazine Article on Orange Shift David Em with a new look at the orange shift issue. It's well balanced, and worth a read. Bob Meyer's "Epson 870/1270 Orange Shift Paper Test Site" shows you WHAT THE FADING TO ORANGE/RED LOOKS LIKE, has a running history on this problem, complete with personal test results on alternative papers and how they compare with the PGPP.
WHY just with the PGPP? PGPP is Epson's first RC inkjet paper, and the first to use a "micro-porous" coating technology, which helps the paper to produce prints of outstanding quality. Unfortunately, this same wonderful technology also acts as an "atmospheric sponge", wicking the ozone to the inkjet dyes, and accelerating the exchange of gases to the cyan dye. Standard Epson inks (not 870/1270 inks) used on PGPP are even more prone to fading by ozone. Other papers, with different coating technology, are much less vulnerable to the cyan dye fading, caused by ozone gas. However, any inkjet paper with a "surface barrier" layer (that's what an "RC" paper is - usually a polyethylene layer between the coating and the paper that stops the ink from soaking into the paper, which would mute the colors) are going to be more susceptible to fading by ozone gas, because ink is trapped next to the barrier, and is more available to atmospheric exposure. (Add a "micro-porous" top layer to the coating, and you dramatically increase exposure to outside air contaminants.) Less glossy papers delay the fading. Epson recommends its Matte Paper-Heavyweight or Photo Paper. (See "The REAL problem with the 870/1270" and "Epson Offers Work-Arounds to Fading Photos" for additional information.)
What is EPSON DOING to SOLVE THIS PROBLEM? Epson will release in late November 2000 an improved or "reformulated"
version of the PGPP with an anti-oxidant layer to help slow down the
exchange of ozone to the cyan dye. (UPDATE: All of the supplies we have
on hand are the new and "improved" or "reformulated" version of PGPP.
However, for the next few months supplies of the new PGPP may be limited
at Inkjetart.com and all over the U.S., while Epson tries to catch up
with the demand.) The improved version is expected to slow down the ozone gas exchange from about 1/4 to 1/6 of the previous levels. Keep in mind that a print lasting four to six times longer may satisfy some users, though not all -- particularly those who live where the orange shift occurs in days or weeks.
EPSON'S RESPONSE and ADVICE: "A Open Letter From Epson"
In summary (taking quotes from Epson)...
The 870/1270 still has "greatly improved resistance to light", over the predecessor printers.
The 870/1270 has "equal resistance to ozone gas on Matte Paper Heavyweight and Glossy Photo Paper as the predecessor printers".
The "Premium Glossy Photo Paper is more sensitive to these gases".
"The best solution today is to frame the prints to maximize display life or to use an Epson paper with greater gas resistance for unprotected prints."
If you still want use Premium Glossy Photo Paper and live dangerously (by displaying PGPP without protection), then wait for Epson's "reformulated Premium Glossy Photo Paper, which will be distributed in early October" -- which by the way, will not completely solve the gas problem, but will help to extend the life of unprotected PGPP prints.
Your best results with the new reformulated PGPP paper will be to "follow the recommended display procedures", which will still be "for use in glass frames or protected storage".
PROTECTING UNFRAMED PRINTS: If you or your clients don't want to put your PGPP prints in glass frames or other forms of "protected storage" (i.e. sleeves), then a glossy, protective spray may be helpful in sealing the print's micro-porous coating from the atmosphere and harmful ozone gases. One user of the first PGPP product, told us that art store aerosol sprays containing acrylic polymers (i.e. "Krylon") seems to protect their PGPP prints -- at least they have had no orange-red fading with these sprayed prints, while many of the other unprotected prints delivered to their youth soccer team clients have faded.
© 2000 Inkjetart.com
|
Tracking
My Account
Cart Contents
Checkout
Home page
Forum
Contact us
Links
Newsletter
Finishing