KODAK & FUJI COLOUR PAPER IM NOT HAPPY!

[Stephen Frizza]

Ok something I and other pro lab owners have put up with for years has been end roll paper wastage. I'm not talking a meter of two I'm talking about 10-20 percent of a roll. I use Kodak and Fuji Matte, Gloss and Luster in roll sizes up to 50inch these are not cheap rolls of paper and so I expect to be able to use the entire roll (will exception of the last meter).

The reason the rolls are ruined for the last 10 percent is Surface defects due to how the paper rolls are wound onto the cardboard central core. The rolls for the last 10-20 percent get a linear surface change that can be seen very easily when gallery lighting is at an angle to the image.

When printing Mural prints from galleries and museums such defects simply arn't acceptable. Why doesnt kodak or fuji fix this problem? Ilford rolls don't have this problem with their paper rolls.

Both Fuji and Kodak are making nice papers but this just annoys me to no end.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Stephen,

Not a direct response as I only have stock of 20x24" cut sheet, but how do you work with such large and crinkle prone rolls of paper in total darkness, - an auto paper dispenser?

Tom

 

[Stephen Frizza]

yea paper coffins which you can program paper lenghts into. for example earlier in the week i needed to make prints 50inches x 3.5 meters so i set the machine to eject 1 meter then rolled it then ejected another meter then rolled it then another meter and rolled it and then another half meter and rolled it in total darkness. Then with my 3.5 meters of paper in a roll it wont dent and I can safely unroll it on a vacuum wall. Only after all this work carefully cutting the paper exposing it and processing it you discover oh thanks Kodak or thanks Fuji for selling me 15 meters of ruined paper surface because of the way they roll paper onto their cores!!!!

 

[brucemuir]

I'd be pissed too
hope you can find a solution but it doesn't sound hopeful

 

[Tom Kershaw]

yea paper coffins which you can program paper lenghts into. for example earlier in the week i needed to make prints 50inches x 3.5 meters so i set the machine to eject 1 meter then rolled it then ejected another meter then rolled it then another meter and rolled it and then another half meter and rolled it in total darkness. Then with my 3.5 meters of paper in a roll it wont dent and I can safely unroll it on a vacuum wall. Only after all this work carefully cutting the paper exposing it and processing it you discover oh thanks Kodak or thanks Fuji for selling me 15 meters of ruined paper surface because of the way they roll paper onto their cores!!!!

so you are exposing the paper optically via a horizontal enlarger?

Tom

 

[Stephen Frizza]

so you are exposing the paper optically via a horizontal enlarger?

Tom

I am indeed. I have 2 durst 2501 horizontal enlargers on 8 meter tracks and 2 vacuum walls for prints up to 4meters by 72inches. though i only have paper processes capable of processing up to 50inch. Please visit link below to see my set up.

http://thelighthouselab.blogspot.com/2010/03/peek-through-lab.html

 

[Photo Engineer]

Steve;

Have you complained to Kodak or Fuji?

If not, I think it in your interests and theirs that you do so.

PE

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Stephen,

The DeVere 5108 looks miniature in the context of your set-up.

Tom

 

[Stephen Frizza]

Steve;

Have you complained to Kodak or Fuji?

If not, I think it in your interests and theirs that you do so.

PE

Yep and I'm not the only one who's complaining. Its been an issue labs here have had for years but like most product complaints in Australia.... Theres never any change. I'de love to know is this is a world wide product issue or weather its just Australia gets short changed.

 

[Michael W]

Hey Steve, you know they send all the rubbish to Australia, right?

 

[Photo Engineer]

Yep and I'm not the only one who's complaining. Its been an issue labs here have had for years but like most product complaints in Australia.... Theres never any change. I'de love to know is this is a world wide product issue or weather its just Australia gets short changed.

Any reaction at all from the companies?

PE

 

[Stephen Frizza]

Any reaction at all from the companies?

PE

no. its simply a case of buy it knowing your not getting the full lenghts worth and consider it lucky we have the materials at all. I should mention that the problem is worse with kodaks papers than fuji's. Do you think I should complain to Kodak USA about this issue?

 

[frotog]

Hi Stephen. Could you describe the surface defect? I use quite a bit of roll paper here in the northeast U.S. and I've never witnessed any surface issues in either F or N. Are you in a particularly humid area? Are you in the habit of refrigerating your stock?

 

[Photo Engineer]

no. its simply a case of buy it knowing your not getting the full lenghts worth and consider it lucky we have the materials at all. I should mention that the problem is worse with kodaks papers than fuji's. Do you think I should complain to Kodak USA about this issue?

Steve;

Complain to Kodak USA, by all means.

This could be a shipping problem related to long rolls and the center parts getting more abrasion. Abrasion is adjusted by ingredients in the top coat. If the top coat is left off, the top layer can be completely fogged due to abrasion.

So, I suspect that they can do something about it.

PE

 

[Steve Smith]

make prints 50inches x 3.5 meters

I love mixed measurements!


Steve.

 

[Photo Engineer]

I love mixed measurements!


Steve.

Yes Steve, our coatings were in mg/ft square of ingredients!

PE