From close inspection a sample of Innova Exhibition Photo Baryta IFA-69 looks identical to a sample of Canson Baryta Photographique 310. SpectrumViz confirms this observation (the old name of IFA-69 was Innova Fibaprint Baryta 310):
Good catch. For all practical purposes Innova Exhibition Photo Baryta 310gsm = Ilford Gallerie Prestige Gold Fibre Silk 310gsm = Hahnemuhle Photo Silk Baryta 310gsm = Canson Infinity Baryta Photographique = FeLix Schoeller J23160 True Baryta 310gsm !!! There may be others as well!
Surface luster, thickness, gsm weight, printing characteristics, anti-curl back side coatings texture and thickness, spectral reflectance curves of front surface, spectral reflectance curves of backside coatings all identical! Shuffle some samples of all these papers together, and I don't believe anyone could pick one brand from the others.
My original expectations for Innova Exhibition Photo Baryta as being significantly different paper stems from a conversation I had with a knowledgeable representative at Innova. I asked specifically if Innova Exhibition Photo Baryta was free of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and he said he was certain it had none and that the paper was 100% Baryta. However, I now wonder if that information is correct.
My concern is based on the fact that indeed, it sure acts and looks exactly like the other papers mentioned above. I have recent samples of all of those papers except the FS True Baryta in my studio today. I also know from light fade tests that both Canson Baryta Photographique and Iflord Gold Fibre Silk suffer from light-induced low intensity staining/yellowing (LILIS). Hence, I do not recommend them where "archival pigment printing" is one of the printmaker's goals. My hypothesis is that LILIS occurs when the product contains both stilbene-derived optical brighteners (OBAs) and Titanium dioxide (TiO2). I went so far as to test a sample of the original IGFS (pre Ilford bankruptcy) and a sample of the CiBP (circa 2010 sample) with a portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) unit, and it detected both Barium Sulfate and TiO2 in those two papers, thus conforming to my hypothesis that TiO2 and OBAs do not play well together. The light exposed paper yellows more in dark storage or low illumination levels over time than can be demonstrated merely from loss of OBA fluorescence.
So, it's beginning to look like another round of examination with XRF and followed by light fade testing is in order for more recent samples of all the papers cited above
BTW, there is still dealer confusion over the properties of IGFS, (for example at B&H photo). Product is variously claimed to be full cotton base and OBA-free. It is neither, and neither are any of the papers I just cited above.
cheers,
Mark
http://www.aardenburg-imaging.com