Does anyone out there use Brilliant fiber-based graded paper? What os your overall reaction? How are the blacks? Good mid-tone separation? Thanks.

-- Steve Serio (ms1serio@enteract.com), January 16, 1998

Answers

Re: Calumet's Brilliant paper

I have used this paper for many years from frozen stock. It is an excellent paper for fine print quality and tones very well...especially in selenium. Its curve is on the steep side giving strong mid-tone and highlight separation with crisp blacks. One point to keep in mind though, my experience with this paper dates back to when it was produced by a company in France. It is now being made by Ilford...supposedly following the same formula, but, to borrow a line from Fred Picker (the father of this paper)...different is not the same! I have not used any of the current supply from Calumet (graded that is), but would expect it to still be a fine product since Ilford is producing it. I have used the current VC version, but didn't like it as much as the graded or other VC products available. For VC, I very much like Forte Polygrade and Ilford's Multigrade IV Fiber. However, if bleaching is a used printing technique of yours I would stick with the Forte.

-- Mike Hunter (prasepe@ibm.com), January 16, 1998.

Calumet's Brilliant Paper

I use this paper and find it to be very beautiful. Rich black tones and stark whites. However, matting is difficult as the white is very hard to work with.

-- Lisa Levine (LLevine128@aol.com), December 15, 2000.

Lisa, what do you mean by "...the white is very hard to work with."? Are you having trouble finding a board of similar color? Or???

-- Sal Santamaura (bv_hill@qwestinternet.net), December 15, 2000.

Please note there's a typo in my previous post. My email address is correct in this one.

-- Sal Santamaura (bc_hill@qwestinternet.net), December 15, 2000.