Paper Quality Parameters - Digital FineArt

A set of quality criteria is employed to insure that our Digital FineArt collection meets the high standards that ourcusomers have come to expect. The importance of the respective criteria depends on application. In the case of artistic reproductions, the most important criteria are surface structure, color gamut (surface, the intensity of colors), density and feel. In the photographic section, importance is placed on the Dmax value (detail resolution in dark areas), high degree of white and opacity.

In general, the most important features are ink limit, color gamut, density and resistance to ageing. All types of paper produced by Hahnemühle in the Digital FineArt collection meet the highest quality standards, and enjoy world-wide renown.

• High color density (especially the blacks)
  Densitometric measurement is used to determine color density. The higher the value, the more intense and radiant the colors. The Dmax value (maximum black density value) should be at least 2.3.
  
  
• Resistance to light
  Each type of paper should be light resistant for at least 100 years. Only a very few – preferably, none – should have a negative reaction to brand-name inks (especially pigment inks). In this regard quality papers undergo specialty tests at the Wilhelm Research Institute, or at the FOGRA Research Institute.
  
  
• Resistance to ageing (pH value)
  All papers designed for archival storage are acid-free, which makes them highly resistant to ageing. The paper should also be lignin-free, which means it should consist of linters or alpha-cellulose. Lignin-free paper does not yellow.
  
  
• Ink Limit
  Ink Limit is the value which determines the threshold to which the medium can take up ink in a way that assures sharpness of edges. The higher that value, the higher the color precision of the print and better color brilliance. High-quality papers have an ink limit value exceeding 200%.
  
  
• Bleed
  Resistance to bleed (not showing on the reverse side of the printout) is a very important feature – especially in the case of double-sided printing, as in photographic or painting albums. This feature should be found in every paper designed for such purpose.
  
  
• Feel (for example rag content)
  FineArt paper should feel like high-quality artistic paper. The surface must also be water-resistant.
  
  
• Optical properties
  The optical properties of paper are determined by its color (naturally white, white, bright white) and by its surface structure. The paper is ideal when the surface structure of the reproduction is the same as the surface structure of the original work of art. Many artists prefer to use papers with various surface structures in order to emphasize the artistic statement of the picture. Others choose paper with silky-smooth surface. A paper quality that is too smooth usually makes the product seem "cheap”.
  
  
• Unchanging quality (both in the case of dye based and pigment inks) The constantly high quality is a necessary precondition for obtaining continuous printout results, especially in the case of making additional print runs or limited editions.
  
  
• Large color gamut
  Large color gamut is necessary to guarantee a faithful reproduction of an art work or a photograph. The color gamut can be visually presented using a system of coordinates. For this purpose, the saturated colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, red, green and blue) are measured with spectrometer and presented on the coordinate system in relation to a specific surface. The bigger that area in the visual space, the larger the color gamut, which renders the images more precise and more radiant.
  
  
• Thickness
  The paper thickness, or volume, determine its feel (tactile properties), and thus defines the quality of the work of art or photography. High-weight paper (> 300 g/m²) is recommended particularly for large-size artistic reproductions, whose originals were made on strong paper. (The exception: reproductions on rice paper or on other special papers).
  
  
• Opacity
  Opaqueness of paper. This feature is particularly important in the case of inkjet paper, as it is intended for double-sided printing, e.g. for albums with photographs and painting, as well as for works of art mounted and presented against a dark background. The higher the opacity value, the less transparent the paper is. We recommend the choice of paper with opacity > 96% (DIN 53146).