Ok, why the paper thickness question from previous post:
Having been doing many tests with the complete range of matte textured papers from Permajet and Hahnemuhle and Tecco. There seems to be an inconsistency in a couple of manufacturers recommended settings with respect to paper thichness. For example Tecco Baryt Ivory is a 6 when in actual measurement it is a 4 (360 um or 0.34mm) This is not a 6 in epson paper thickness setting. Also I put Permajet Parchment under their recommended settings of "Watercolour Radiant White" Platen Gap "Auto" Paper thickness "3". Then in goes the champion (or so I thought - save the best till last) His majesty the Torchon from Hahnemuhle. Recommended settings of "Velvet Fine Art" Platen Gap of "auto" and paper thickness at "5".
Hahnemuhle's Torchon has a thickness of 0.5mm and the Permajet Parchment 0.48mm. These are both strictly speaking a 5 in epson settings while permajet went through under a setting of 3 delivering spectacularly more crisper edges and midtone renditions than the Torchon. These two papers have exactly the same sound same texture and same weight and have an almost identical white point. I then put the Hahnemuhle Torchon through under a 3 and got exactly the same results as I did with the Parchment from Permajet.
The platen gap increases the distance between ink nozzle and paper, this can be used to advantage in getting a softer print but it is, as far as I am aware, raised to allow for thicker papers, in case of head strikes and scuffing sounds. So what is the relationship between the platen gap and Paper thickness setting - what does the latter do inside the printer itself. Then maybe I can understand why physical paper thickness and thickness setting are often inconsistent variables set by some manufacturers of some of their papers.
thankyou
Chris.