In early March, Ilford introduced five (FIVE!) new papers to their Prestige Fine Art Line for wide format museum quality photographic and fine art printing, including Ilford’s first ever inkjet photo paper designed exclusively for black and white prints. Here’s a brief intro to the five newest papers, along with all the stats and our resident artist/ fine art printer’s first impressions.
Galerie Prestige Gold Mono Silk 270gsm is a true black and white media for printers specializing in monochromatic photography. Designed to appeal to darkroom print purists, this acid and lignin free fibre based paper promises a “seamless” transition between shadows and highlights with exceptional Dmax and Dmin values. Ilford Gold Mono Silk promises deep, rich blacks and bright whites and is designed to remind photographers of silver halide F-type prints. Ilford Gold Mono Silk is available in sheets and rolls, and is compatible with both pigment and dye based printers. (Jo’s note: I’m dying to try this paper with some black and white fine art prints. The nanoporous surface and the fact that it is geared specifically for black and white printing make experimenting irresistible!)
Weight: 270gsm | Opacity: >99% | Surface: Silk | 10.5 mil | Bright white tone
Galerie Prestige Gold Cotton Smooth330 gsm is a mould made paper with no optical brighteners and a silky smooth surface. Galerie Prestige Gold Cotton Textured 330 gsm is the textured version of the same product. Both papers are 100% cotton and the base is manufactured in a traditional paper mill, giving them the feel of a true fine art paper designed to pass the test of time. Both papers offer wonderful surfaces that ensure bright, vivid color and museum quality prints. Ilford Prestige Gold Cotton Smooth 330 gsm and Gold Cotton Textured 330gsm are available in sheets and rolls for pigment based printers only. (Jo’s note: A bit on the warm side, but a beautiful surface and quality “expensive” feel in the hand make this paper truly something special.)
Weight: 330 gsm | Opacity: 100% | Surface: Fine Art | 21.5 mil | Warm tone
Galerie Prestige Fine Art Smooth 220 gsm is a true doublesided paper with a very high cellulose content, providing a paper that resembles a 100% cotton paper but provides double sided versatility. This bright white, double sided media is idea for wedding albums, portfolios, fine art and photography books. This mould made paper has an alphacellulose base that is manufactured in a traditional paper mill, giving it a true luxurious cotton feel, print longevity and excellent durability without the bulk of a 100% cotton paper. Galerie Prestige Fine Art Smooth 220 gsm is available in sheets and rolls and is compatible with both pigment and dye based printers. (Jo’s note: We’ve heard good things about this paper’s surface – smooth and silky without the sheen associated with resin coated papers.)
Ilford Galerie Prestige Fine Art Textured 220 has the same attributes as the Fine Art Smooth 220gsm paper, but offers a unique textured surface suitable for double sided printing. Perfect for adding pop and visual interest to your albums, books and portfolios, this beautiful paper pairs perfectly with Prestige Fine Art Smooth while adding visual interest to your images. (Jo’s note: Of all the new papers Ilford has introduced, this is the one I am most excited about. Books, portfolios, tear sheets – the possibilities are endless!)
Galerie Prestige Fine Art Smooth and Textured are available in sheets and rolls and compatible with both dye and pigmented inks.
Weight: 220gsm | Opacity: 99% | Surface: Fine Art | 13mil | Bright white tone
Want to see what all the buzz is about? Call our inkjet specialists at 800-342-9294 or email us at inkjet@imagingspectrum.com.
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