Is fiber paper worth the additional cost for selling prints compared to rc paper?

[Certain Exposures]

I have a question for you if you sell your prints or purchase prints that artists have up for sale.

Do you feel like the visual difference between fiber paper and resin-coated paper is enough to justify the additional cost of fiber paper? Fiber paper costs more, and you have to invest more time to ensure you develop and wash it properly.

I have two prints of the same scene sitting in front of me. I made one on Ilford fiber glossy paper and the other on Ilford MG glossy RC paper. I am thinking long and hard. I can't tell if I'm imagining any differences I see between the RC paper and the fiber paper. I like the fiber a little more.

RC paper's wash process makes my printing routine in this cramped space less of a chore. It's also cheaper, and I don't need a press machine to flatten it. I like the feel of the fiber paper in my hand a lot more, but I plan to frame my prints.

What do you all think?

[John Kasaian]

If I hang up a picture, it's because I can connect with what the picture is of. All the rest is just details.
I print on fiber paper because I enjoy printing on fiber paper. If I wanted to save time, I'd print digitally.
My 2-cents anyway (how come 'puters don't have the cent sign?)

[Michael Graves]

(how come 'puters don't have the cent sign?)

Hold down the Alt key and type 0162.¢

[xkaes]

-- AFTER you first press the NUM LOCK key.

[nolindan]

I used to sell prints via galleries and hangings. It was all fiber. Yes, it is a bit of a pain but I figure if someone is shelling out good money for the product the product should be as high quality as I can make it, without going overboard.

The issue is defining 'overboard.'

In my book if an RC print sells for little money as a result of no frame, regular ole' mat board & spray adhesive mounting then it isn't overboard or underboard - it's made to a price.

I think the answer hinges on whether the premium price for fiber is something a customer will pay for.

I have some 30 YO framed RC prints hanging on my walls and all of them have bronzed to various extents. I live in the 'burbs and air quality is good - much better than when Cleveland still had steel mills. I don't know if current Ilford RC papers have the same problem. Loose RC prints from the same time that are stored in flat files look fine.

This is an issue that has been well debated, with no definitive outcome to the debate. I guess the answer is 'it is up to you.'

[neil poulsen]

I tried some RC paper when I was in my 20's. Instinctively, I wanted nothing more to do with that "paper". Since then, RC "paper" has never again made its way into my darkroom.

. . . I have some 30 YO framed RC prints hanging on my walls and all of them have bronzed to various extents. I live in the 'burbs and air quality is good - much better than when Cleveland still had steel mills. I don't know if current Ilford RC papers have the same problem. Loose RC prints from the same time that are stored in flat files look fine.

I have framed, dry-mounted, fiber-based photographs that were printed decades ago, and they all look like they did (to my eye) the day they were mounted. None of them have shown any deterioration.

The above says it all for me. It appears that my instincts were right on target.

[Tin Can]

I like both as I practice with RC

Every print is NOT Fine ART

[Bernice Loui]

Over the decades of making B&W prints have developed an absolute dis-like for RC paper. They look like artificial RC plastic pix.

Fiber base B&W paper usually comes in gloss or matt, of these two the gloss is preferred and has been that way to this day.


Bernice

[Jim Noel]

Over the decades of making B&W prints have developed an absolute dis-like for RC paper. They look like artificial RC plastic pix.

Fiber base B&W paper usually comes in gloss or matt, of these two the gloss is preferred and has been that way to this day.


Bernice

I totally agree with you. I see no value in the use of RC regardless of price. Some say they use it to see if an image is worth printing on fiber paper, toning, etc.
The 2 prints will be too different to help with this decision.

[Tin Can]

24 years ago my instructor insisted on hot mount Fiber Prints, I made a lot

They do look like new

but I never sell any ART

RC is very fast to check many other variables