New Fuji Paper at WCI

[roteague]

West Coast Imaging has a new color paper surface available. Just thought I would pass this along.

FYI:

"What makes Fuji Pearl so special? The embedded pearl-like crystals gives the paper a high-gloss reflection, especially in the highlights. Pearl paper contains pearly mica crystals. Based on natural mica, they are covered with a thin layer of metal oxides, like titanium dioxide. Through an interplay of transparency, refraction, coating and multiple reflections, viewers can discern silver-white and metallic reflection effects. Fuji Pearl has a gloss surface and is exposed in our ZBE Chromira using ICC profiles for astounding accuracy. Color is very similar to other Fuji Crystal Archive papers.

Although similar to Kodak Metallic, Fuji Pearl has a whiter base that makes more brilliant prints, and more neutral B&W prints. It also offers a longer display life, better d-max, and more saturated blues, reds, and magentas. For these reasons, we are now offering Fuji Pearl instead of Kodak Metallic."

 

[pentaxuser]

Haven't seen any mention of pearl in any of the U.K. supplier sites. Anyone know different? Pity Fuji uses the word pearl given that Ilford uses it in what is an entirely different context. I always think of pearl as being the B&W equivalent of lustre in RA4.

Pearl doesn't seem to convey the meaning of metallic.

pentaxuser

 

[ed110220]

Fujifilm Crystal Archive DPII Pearl in the UK

Jessops are offering this paper in some stores, but only in 6x4 and 7x5 sizes (possibly 8x6 and 9x6 as they can also be printed on 6" wide paper). This is where I saw it and it is certainly very striking.

DS Colour Labs offer pearl paper too in a much bigger range of sizes.

I agree that the name may confuse some, but 'pearl' far more accurately describes the pearlescent finish of the new paper than the old semi-gloss paper that was traditionally described as such. After all, a pearl is known for its shiny pearlescence and certainly not for a textured or slightly matte surface. If you think of a pearl or mother of pearl then the name becomes logical.

In truth, the common names of paper finishes appear to have drifted a long way from reality. Eg "matte" being used in common use to refer to a semi-gloss paper that isn't matte at all.