digital printers

[Dee Breger <micro@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Panoramians,

A panoramaphilic colleague has suggested that though my work is only
tangential to your interests I might post my query to this listserver. I
would most appreciate any help, which could be sent to me offline if this
thread has already been discussed in the list.

I create both b/w and colorized digital enhancements of electron
photomicrographs and am looking for info on the most archival/sophisticated
but also cost-effective method to print them as equivalent to art
photography.  I'm confused about the relative pros and cons among the
digital printing technologies such as dye sub, ink jet, Iris, etc., not to
mention the various kinds of papers.  The new Epson 2000P seems like a good
idea for personal purchase, since the price of having files printed
commercially can quickly add up to the price of a good printer; also the
print shops vary in technique and papers.  Can anyone enlighten me on how
the 2000P (six colors, oil-based  ink jet) compares with other techniques
(or other printers)? There are three grades of archival papers promoted for
it, luster (RC), matte and glossy.  If the matte and glossy aren't RC, what
are they? (I can't get a definitive answer from the sales or technical
folks at Epson!) Would they be comparable to fiber/rag papers used for
traditional photographic prints?

Many thanks for any answers to these questions!
Dee



***************************************************************
Dee Breger
Mgr. SEM/EDX Facility
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
61 Route 9W
Palisades, NY 10964 USA
T: 914/365-8640
F: 914/365-8155

http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/micro
http://www.discovery.com/area/science/micro/micro1.html
http://www.lsc.org/antarctica/front.html
Journeys in Microspace (Columbia University Press, 1995)