Freedom of Expression
HARMAN technology launch the first new ILFORD Black and White Silver Gelatine Paper for 13 years – ILFORD MULTIGRADE ART 300
HARMAN technology is delighted to announce the introduction of a new silver gelatine photographic paper produced in co-operation with Hahnemühle FineArt GmbH.
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 Hahnemühle 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
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.
“This new art paper is, in my opinion, the most exciting paper I’ve seen since the launch of ILFORD MULTIGRADE FB WARMTONE in 1997. To hear about the launch of a paper which is ideally suited to an artistic use or interpretation – especially in times of austerity is a welcome surprise.
I was fortunate to be able to try some pre release samples and fell in love with the paper immediately. It has a wonderfully heavy base, a beautiful colour and responds better than any other paper I know in split toning in Selenium. I am planning on doing a series of paper negative images specifically for printing on the paper.”
~ Andrew Sanderson, Photographer and Master Printer – Holmfirth, England.
“I’m beyond excited about the paper, even though I get excited about a lot of new products. This one in particular looks amazing – the blacks are incredible. You must make this stuff.”
~ Sam Davis, Photographer and Instructor – Los Angeles CA, USA.
“For B&W art prints there is nothing like it on the market, and it will, I am sure become much loved by fine art printers. Larger prints are even more suited to this very heavy textured near matt paper, which I am finding to be a joy to print with. The DMax is superb for any paper and especially for a matt paper and is improved by selenium toning. I think this paper is a very welcome addition to the silver gelatin market.”
~ Tim Rudman, Photographer and Master Printer – Woking, England