FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 31st, 2011
Freedom of Expression
HARMAN technology launch the first new ILFORD Black and White Silver Gelatine Paper for 13 years – ILFORD MULTIGRADE ART 300
Amaya Foto is delighted to announce the introduction of a new silver gelatine photographic paper, produced in co-operation with Hahnemuhle FineArt GmbH, to the ILFORD Photo product line. Following extensive consultation with photographers and printers, an R&D project was started 18 months ago when a survey of users identified the need for a true fine art base with a MULTIGRADE silver gelatine coating. The ideal product would have a cool base colour and a neutral to warm image tone. Many of those surveyed yearned for long lost papers and these features came out repeatedly during the survey where over 150 respondents around the globe gave their views.
Steven Brierley, Director of Sales and Marketing at HARMAN, says ‘It seemed to me that if we could meet this clearly identified need we would please many and significantly widen the choice for those who wish to use silver gelatine papers when making fine art B&W prints. By offering a true fine art textured matt paper with a MULTIGRADE coating we believe we have met their needs and expanded the range of paper surfaces available today’
’This silver gelatine paper is a true fine art product and we were delighted when Hahnemuhle agreed to help us by producing a special paper base. The brief was clear, 100% cotton rag paper base, acid free but with the wet strength needed to survive the archival washing required when making fine art prints – all of which have been met’
Users will find the new ILFORD MULTIGRADE Art 300 a delight to use with many of the merits for which ILFORD MULTIGRADE papers are renowned and some exciting new benefits. Exposure times and product handling will be very familiar for MULTIGRADE users who will quickly find they are producing excellent prints.
The new surface delivers a matt fine art print that has both a texture and what some users have described as an eggshell sheen. Compared to ILFORD FB (baryta) papers slightly shorter wash times are achieved, and the paper can easily be handled in large sheets thanks to its 300 GSM weight.
The product will be branded as ILFORD MULTIGRADE Art 300 and will be available in sizes from 5 x7 up to 20 x 24 inch packed in boxes of 10/15/30/50 sheets, with roll sizes soon to be announced.
Quotes from users:
“I’d just like to say that I LURVE it.
It’s a very easy paper to work with: you can “throw “ exposure at it and it seems to come up looking lush and lovely with good blacks, sensitive shadow areas and responds as it should to all the usual burning and dodging without fuss. It has all that lovely Kentmere Art Classic inky black texture when dried and the paper weight seems to be heavier than normal. It seleniums beautifully whether split or full, to a nice chocolaty brown and dries perfectly without overly much “drying down”. I give it a mighty thumbs up, as soon as it’s in production I’ll be buying the larger sizes” Robin Bell, London.
Harman products are distributed in Canada by Amplis Foto Inc.