Hi, I'm wondering if you can confirm whether or not the Somerset Velvet Radiant White 330gm 35x46" sheets contain optical brighteners? I'm trying to choose the whitest somerset possible without OBA's.
Somerset Radiant White does contain OBA. The whitest Somerset without OBA will be White Somerset. What do you require the paper for and what is your concern over the use of OBA?
Thank you for your prompt reply. We produce fine art editions for major artists, museums, etc. in New York City. We are using Pinnacle Gold Dye inks on an IRIS printer (some are still running in the world!); and, our clients frequently require statements from us regarding permanence.
Have any accelerated aging studies been performed on the Somerset Radiant White to predict any performance data over time, and is this data available?
While it is likely that the OBA's will eventually fade, how evenly they fade is our concern, as this can render a fine art print valueless for the period which fading is uneven. We are also concerned about chemical interactions between OBA's and the dyes, which are less stable than the pigments commonly in use today.
Is the sizing of the White Somerset (OBA-free paper) similar to that of the Somerset Radiant White?
Somerset Radiant White was developed specifically for the Iris printer and has slightly different absorbency properties to the normal Somerset range which were developed for printing techniques that involved direct contact with the paper. Somerset Radiant White is more absorbent; this allows the ink to spread laterally but not in the z direction. This overcomes mottle in large areas with heavy ink coverage and gives a more continuous tone.
I have been on the internet and found the following regarding ink/paper expected lifespan. Cone editions mentions Somerset Velvet, I assume this is Somerset Radiant White as this grade is made in a size to fit the drum of an Iris printer. I have also found the Wilhelm imaging website with an article about Nash Editions and accelerated ageing tests with Pinnacle Gold inks and Somerset Velvet. I will provide links at the bottom of this mail.
My own work suggests Somerset Radiant White paper in accelerated ageing tests has taken the paper up to Blue Wool Scale 6 without any noticeable discolouration but I have not been able to control humidity. I don't have any information regarding paper/ink combinations.
Only Somerset Radiant White(500g/m² and 330g/m²) is available in the size you require; the next largest sheet size in ordinairy Somerset White is 30"x44" in 300g/m².
Have any accelerated aging studies been performed on the Somerset Radiant White to predict any performance data over time, and is this data available?
While it is likely that the OBA's will eventually fade, how evenly they fade is our concern, as this can render a fine art print valueless for the period which fading is uneven. We are also concerned about chemical interactions between OBA's and the dyes, which are less stable than the pigments commonly in use today.
Is the sizing of the White Somerset (OBA-free paper) similar to that of the Somerset Radiant White?
I have been on the internet and found the following regarding ink/paper expected lifespan. Cone editions mentions Somerset Velvet, I assume this is Somerset Radiant White as this grade is made in a size to fit the drum of an Iris printer. I have also found the Wilhelm imaging website with an article about Nash Editions and accelerated ageing tests with Pinnacle Gold inks and Somerset Velvet. I will provide links at the bottom of this mail.
My own work suggests Somerset Radiant White paper in accelerated ageing tests has taken the paper up to Blue Wool Scale 6 without any noticeable discolouration but I have not been able to control humidity. I don't have any information regarding paper/ink combinations.
Only Somerset Radiant White(500g/m² and 330g/m²) is available in the size you require; the next largest sheet size in ordinairy Somerset White is 30"x44" in 300g/m².
http://www.wilhelm-research.com/ist/WIR_IST_2006_09_HW.pdf
http://www.cone-editions.com/iris.html