Recent tests of several different large format printers were quite informative. These tests covered the Encad 600 large format printer from Ilford and the ColorSpan 8 color large format printer, also from Ilford. Ilford Archival inks and Ilford Ilfojet paper were used.

The ColorSpan large format printer has the advantage that the colors are more subtle, closer to the true colors of the actual object. If you want to make large format enlargements, then the ColorSpan wide format printer is a good choice.

You can also get the ColorSpan large format printer from Agfa, as the Agfa Montana wide format printer. The advantage of obtaining the ColorSpan from Ilford is that you get Ilford Archival ink, one of the highest regarded inks for offering brilliant colors yet long-lasting. You cannot buy the Agfa version of the printer and then simply use Archival ink because the inks of recent models of printer are coded with a chip. The printer of Brand X works only when ink of the same Brand X is loaded.

Whereas most large format printers work with four colors of ink, the ColorSpan HiFi works with eight colors of ink. This is why the results are photo-realistic.

If you need to make posters, signs, or any large print that needs to be close to the original colors, consider ColorSpan HiFi large format printer as an easy way to avoid having to use the darkroom. Besides, you can never get a color print from your own darkroom that is 60 inches wide! Unless of course you are a professional photo lab. This is precisely the advantage of a large format printer, you have the digital equilvanent of an entire lab in the comfort of your own office.

Subject is a Tiquisate incense burner from the Museo Popol Vuh. If you wish to learn more about this incensario, it is on the cover of the monograph "The Escuintla Hoards," by Nicholas Hellmuth, FLAAR, Art & Archaeology Book Service.

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