Epson Exhibition Fiber Issues....

[Vince Lupo]

So I finally made the plunge into digital printing and bought an Epson 3880. My first box of Exhibition Fiber (13"x19") produced beautiful prints -- exactly as they looked on my screen, and the quality seems to rival the results that I used to get in my traditional darkroom and fiber-based paper. Very impressed.

However, the last two boxes that I bought have given me some troubles. The finish of the print has flaked off in a couple of spots, revealing the paper white beneath. Additionally, the whole print has little white 'spots' all over the prints -- almost like the backside of the paper in the pack that was sitting on top of the one I just printed transferred itself into the gloss finish. It's particularly noticeable in the dark areas of my prints. Both of these new boxes have exhibited this problem, and I've tried different sheets of paper from various spots in the pile (top of the pile, middle, bottom of the pile), but the same issue persists. As a control I tried a piece of Epson Premium Luster (8.5"x11") paper that came with the printer, and it looked fine. So I don't think it's the printer.

Has anyone else experienced this problem? At one of the photo labs I use, I had them print something on Exhibition Fiber a couple of months ago, and it did the same thing.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I remember about 10 yrs ago, epson had some issues like that with one of their papers. Was a manufacturing issue. Call them and tell them what you're seeing.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Hi Chris -- Thanks for the response. I just got off the phone with them, and they're going to call me back after they figure out what to do. I don't know whether it necessarily makes a difference, but the first box I bought along with the printer came from B+H, whereas these other two boxes came from a camera store via Amazon.

 

[kzphoto]

I had an issue like this with some Hahnemuhle Photo Rag paper. I believe the issue was finally remedied by placing a humidifier near the printer. For some reason the paper was flaking apart as it came through the printer and causing small white specks. The humidifier kept the paper more pliable and ultimately kept the flaking down. YMMV, but that worked for a small school digital lab with 2 7990's and a few 3880's.

 

[kiteboy]

I have had a simlar problem with Innova FB paper.

I had two issues. The first was a manufacturing fault. I raised it with the supplier and they were great, responding quickly and replacing the paper. If if you carefully examine the blank sheet you can usually see small gaps in the coating.

Additionally I sometimes get small white marks . These are attributable to surface dust on the paper, this tends to mask the ink and then fall off. If I think I have a "dusty" batch I use Dust Off to blow off the surface before printing.

Hope this helps.

Andrew

 

[Vince Lupo]

Just heard back from Epson -- they want me to send the two packs to them (they'll pay for the shipping), and they'll replace the paper.

It's almost like they stacked the paper before it dried, and the 'fibers' of the underside of the print laying on top got transferred to glossy surface of the paper beneath.

I just bought another box of the same paper from a local camera store, and it seems fine (though I still am getting the odd surface flaking here and there). I think after all this is sorted out, I may go back to my FB Gold Fibre Silk.

As a total aside, I'm finding that digital 'darkroom' printing is as involved as traditional darkroom printing (which isn't necessarily a bad thing!). Anyone who says it's as simple as clicking a mouse -- I say 'oh really?'