Mpix black & white

[suzyjazz]

What's the difference between ordering a black and white image on regular paper (BW conversion done in PS) vs. black and white paper? I'm ordering my friend's prints and it's I'm just annoyed that now I might have to place separate orders with Mpix and pay shipping twice. It really bugs me that you have to use the same paper on every print in the order. I guess that keeps their pricing down, though.

[JohnT]

From their FAQ...

What is True Black and White?
True Digital Black and White We are excited and proud to announce the availability of a new service - True Digital Black & White. You may be wondering what is so new about digital black & white. After all, you have been ordering black & white prints from your digital files for a long time. In fact, we have been printing black & white from digital files since we purchased our first digital printer several years ago. Well, these prints have been printed from a color digital printer on color paper processed in color RA4 chemistry, which can make it quite difficult to obtain neutral mid tones. Our Kodak Professional Durst Theta digital laser printer was specifically designed to print on black & white paper. We use Kodak Polymax D surface paper and process it in Polymax chemistry. Because of the unique nature of this product, paper types cannot be combined in ordering.

[suzyjazz]

Thanks for the info.

To anyone who's ordered on the regular paper how did it look? And how much difference is there to those who've seen both?

[Daniel Bates]

I'm looking forward to this answer too - I've printed B&W on both papers, but the one I printed on the True Black and White paper was drop-shipped directly to the client (I never saw it).

[suzyjazz]

Well, I need to place the order now, so I guess I'll order one both ways to compare (and order the client's set on pure black and white). I'll let you know how it turns out (not that it means much -- I've never paid much attention to black and white).

[DeLeon]

Originally Posted by suzyjazz

Well, I need to place the order now, so I guess I'll order one both ways to compare (and order the client's set on pure black and white). I'll let you know how it turns out (not that it means much -- I've never paid much attention to black and white).

I would like to know how this turns out for you.

[adirty1]

I use bwc out of dallas and they have been doing that for years. the true b/w prints are just what they true. If you think the old b/w prints you got were really b/w than order one of each.
sometimes you might get a green hue or magenta hue on the color conversions. the true b/w are just that black and white. I use that for fine art images. Only thing is that sometimes you can lose detail. I have noticed that printing the true b/w seem to be a little darker and more contrast than using the conversions. just something you have to keep in mind when your correcting the image. I have a feeling that it's from the developer that creates a more contrasty image than on the color. but bwc works with me and helps to correct the image if they can see it on their monitors then they will do what they can to get it on the print. If you order glossy you might want to spray them. I have noticed that they will get fine scratches.

[pippin]

black and white prints on colour paper will always have a slight hue to them, no matter how much the paper / printer is calibrated. Thems the joys of printing on colour paper.

[suzyjazz]

I don't really see a hue on the "test print" I got from Mpix, but if it's slight then with nothing to compare it could be hard to tell. I'll compare it to the order of true B&W once I receive it -- maybe Monday, probably Tuesday.

[pippin]

Originally Posted by suzyjazz

I don't really see a hue on the "test print" I got from Mpix, but if it's slight then with nothing to compare it could be hard to tell. I'll compare it to the order of true B&W once I receive it -- maybe Monday, probably Tuesday.

thats the thing - when we print on colour paper at work, you don't see a hue - until you see it next to a real black and white print (even then its REALLY subtle, but some nitpickers always pick up on it). Its close, and sometime you can't see a difference, but temperature, humidity and time always affects the emulsions so we calibrate constantly when we do black and whites.

[suzyjazz]

The true black and white prints came today. Comparing them side by side with BW conversion on color, I really don't see a hue. In fact, I prefer the "color" one better. It's darker and has more contrast. I don't doubt that someone who has a lot of experience could point out why the true BW is better, but this is just my opinion, in case someone else equally inexperienced is wondering if they shoudl bothering placing a separate order for a few prints here and there.

I am very inexperienced in black and white, so this is just my one cent.