Terry: good question on the Timeless. I am going to spray next week on a test print I made. I am hoping that I might be able to make
one pass (to me one pass is up and down, and then switching the nozzle and going across). With Lyve or Chromata White I do this three times usually letting the print dry 30 minutes between spraying. I will report back on results.
I feel that the Dmax of Crystalline is slightly better than the results I get with Lyve/Timeless MK or PK ink. As I remember in one of my conversations with BColor they have determined that also.
Tim: you bring up a good question and one that I guess everyone has to answer to their own satisfaction. I personally feel that 55 years is a pretty good timeframe, and would not have any problems telling a customer that. However I also feel that the notes on the web were based on the earlier versions of Crystalline, which shipped way back in March/April. They are on their 8th or 9th iteration of Crystalline and I know that the coating they used in March, was different (nowhere near as deep and for sure not as durable as the canvas I am printing on now) I also think that the canvas base has also changed. The cost per foot is just a bit higher as I remember than a Lyve/Timeless solution so I sure wouldn't charge any less. As you have seen it makes a beautiful print.
The other issue for me is that since I switched to Timeless last year, I find it harder to get a perfect coating. To me Glamour II doesn't create anywhere near as rich a gloss. It's glossy, but not like Timeless. I was amazed at the difference when I first sprayed on Timeless. However since Timeless doesn't have the leveling capabilities of Glamour II, it's much harder (for me with a Wagner Control Spray plus anyway) to lay down a perfectly even coat. I understand what is going on, and have tried many techniques to correct for it, but I usually will see on my larger prints 30 x 45 or larger some areas where the Timeless didn't lay down just right and thus the gloss is not as deep. You see this effect best when you look down the print in good light not head on. It's minor and the vast majority of people don't see it, but I do. I have considered moving to the Fuji Sprayers to see if I could get a better coating, but right now I am going to stay with Crystalline if it makes to prime time. For me the real test was the how well it stretched and had no issues at all.
Paul Caldwell
