Pictorico: Premium vs Ultra Premium

[Laura_Campbell]

I've worked with Pictorico Premium OHP transparency film and like the product very much. I noticed on the Pictorico web site that they have an Ultra Premium OHP transparency film. Has anyone used the Ultra Premium OHP for alt process work? If so, what are your impressions of Ultra compared to the traditional Premium?

From the Pictorico web site:

TPS-100 Ultra Premium OHP Transparency Film
-Holds 25% more ink than Premium OHP Transparency Film (TPK/TPU100)
-Excellent compatibility with Epson UltraChrome Photo Black K3 inks
-High UV density
-Thickness: 145 μm
-Recommended for film positives & negatives for screen/flexo printing and contact print

http://www.pictorico.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=52

[gneissgirl]

Hi Laura,
Nobody has stepped in here, and I'm afraid I don't have anything to help answer your question. I've used the "traditional" product, but never the ultra premium.

Almost a year ago, however, I stopped using Pictorico and switched to Inkpress transparency material. Pictorico temporarily disappeared from the market, apparently while the company was in transition and sold (to Mitsubishi, was it???). Now I'm sold on Inkpress, mainly because the price is much more reasonable than Pictorico OHP, and the quality is as good, IMO. The thickness is only 7 mil, though, so you may prefer a sturdier material. Nevertheless, I've had great results using it with an epson R2400. Custom profiles are available on their website.
http://www.inkpresspaper.com/profiles.asp?PaperID=1
I noticed Dan Burkholder is now recommending Inkpress transfilm. Anyway, just a suggestion you might want to consider if cost is a factor.
Maybe someone will jump in here with first-hand info about the ultra premium pictorico product.

Your photopolymer plates look great, by the way. Such fun! I'm jealous of your wonderful, airy, light studio space!

[Laura_Campbell]

Thank you for sharing the info about Inkpress. I'll have to head over to their web site for a look. Saving a few dollars on the trans material would be great. I often print a few transparencies before I get the density just right and it can add up. Do their transparencies have an ultra smooth surface like Pictorico?

[gneissgirl]

Yes, the Inkpress surface is very similar, if not indistinguishable, to me anyway. Very hard and glassy. Not at all pebbly like some trans. material. it also has that same ever-so-slight milky, translucent look. You might try asking them for a sample. They were giving away samples at the f295 symposium last year and they seemed quite interested in converting Pictorico users to their product :)

[Laura_Campbell]

Wow! Sounds like this product might work out for me! Thank you again for the info. :)

[pinholeblender]

We found problems with film curl with the inkpress film printing on our 4800's. The inkpress wanted to curl up at the edges and this would then fold over from head strikes and jam in the printer. Most of my students discontinued using it and switched to Pictorico. I've used the Ultra in our 9800. I printed some 36x42's for a professor here and the density looked great and worked very well with her Van Dyke's. It does look like the coating holds a denser black.

[Laura_Campbell]

We found problems with film curl with the inkpress film printing on our 4800's. The inkpress wanted to curl up at the edges and this would then fold over from head strikes and jam in the printer. Most of my students discontinued using it and switched to Pictorico. I've used the Ultra in our 9800. I printed some 36x42's for a professor here and the density looked great and worked very well with her Van Dyke's. It does look like the coating holds a denser black.

Thank you for your input. This is promising news about the Ultra. I'm giving it a whirl for sure.
I contacted Inkpress by email and heard back about samples. A few sample sheets are on the way tomorrow.
I'll post back after I try the Ultra, and the Inkpress.

[gneissgirl]

YEs, thanks, Chris. I've only used 8.5 x 11 sheets and had no problems, but..... your experience doesn't sound good.
By chance, a member of the alt-process list just had this to say as an aside in a recent post on another topic:

"Have you tried Pictorico OHP ULTRA? It dries faster and can take a greater inkload."

So that sounds promising, too.
Report back to us, Laura!

[Tom Persinger]

Laura-make sure you tell inkpress F295 sent you! They came to the symposium last year and it would be great for them to know our members are talking about them... maybe they'll even give you a discount! ;)

I've been using their stuff since they came here last year and I love it.... As Mary said, the price is right and the quality seems just as good to me.