Marly, Switzerland, October 11th, 2010 – ILFORD, long recognised as the Choice of Professionals, is pleased to reveal new media and accreditation for the dynamic GALERIE range. Designed to meet the demanding needs of today’s professional inkjet marketplace, the recent Wilhelm test results, as well as the innovative new papers, underline the ILFORD commitment to creating cutting-edge, contemporary media.

Wilhelm Research Imaging print permanence results

Image quality and permanence are both indicators of quality in the imaging industry. Professional photographers and artists committed to top-of-the-line results carefully select their media based upon both immediate and sustainable long-term print results.

Dedicated to researching and publishing brand name specific permanence data, Wilhelm Imaging Research, the most pertinent standard in the professional imaging industry, conducts rigorous tests to measure the print permanence of the most competitive media on the market. The effect of light and high humidity during display, the stability of prints in long-term dark storage and the resistance to ozone and water contact are all measured in the extensive five-factor Wilhelm Imaging Research testing process.

Confident that their media would perform well in the benchmark tests, ILFORD submitted GALERIE Smooth Gloss, GALERIE Smooth Pearl, and GALERIE Gold Fibre Silk papers to Wilhelm Imaging Research. Printed with HP Vivera pigment inks, the comprehensive testing process is still underway, with initial results proving very promising.

Framed under glass, or protected with a UV filter, the GALERIE Smooth Gloss and Pearl papers are expected to offer WIR Display Permanence Ratings of over 200 years. Unframed, this media is expected to offer over 100 years of image permanence. These results reinforce the ILFORD reputation for consistently producing eminent, quality media.

Also in conjunction with Wilhelm and marking their commitment to the professional market, ILFORD is included in the ARTtrust initiative. Designed to verify originality and control print production, this simple self-certification allows photographers and artists to use bubble tags to authenticate prints and verify print identity. Thanks to the ARTtrust initiative, photographers will be able to guarantee exclusivity while customers will be able to purchase with confidence. ILFORD media is officially compatible with this process, facilitating quality and control processes for professionals around the world.

NEW GALERIE media

Joining the already dynamic GALERIE range, ILFORD has just introduced a new and improved Smooth Heavyweight Matt paper. At 200 gsm, the renowned ILFORD Research and Development Team confirms the media offers inspiring high density and an impressive colour gamut. The enhanced Smooth Heavyweight Matt paper gives a whiter tint and increased light stability for breathtaking prints that will capture the attention of the most attuned audiences.

Further expanding professional photographic possibilities, ILFORD is developing a new GALERIE Fine Art paper. Restricted previews of initial prototypes of the paper are underway as ILFORD performs customer acceptance tests, by canvassing opinion from journalists, customers and dealers on the paper at the most important international photo events. Feedback will be implemented in the final production stages of the GALERIE Fine Art paper, to guarantee the new media meets the needs of the professional marketplace.

Success of the recently released double-sided Smooth Lustre Duo, perfect for creating tailor-made wedding albums, portfolios or premium quality invitations, proves the new ILFORD media resonate well with the photo industry. The instant dry porous surface means Smooth Lustre Duo is easy to work with, while superb photographic image quality and consistency as well as excellent compatibility with all good quality pigment and dye based inkjet printers, make the media a valued choice.

“The GALERIE range has always been an integral part of the ILFORD brand,” shares Jane Dixon, Head of Global Marketing, ILFORD Imaging Switzerland GmbH. “At ILFORD, we are pleased to continue creating and enhancing our media, to ensure GALERIE remains the choice of professionals in the inkjet marketplace. The ILFORD Research and Development Team invest in the latest technology and techniques to guarantee our media remains cutting-edge. And the latest Wilhelm permanence tests prove we are doing just that.”

About ILFORD

Founded in 1879, ILFORD is a leading player in the development and manufacture of photo quality media and other consumables for both inkjet printing and colour photographic processes. The worldwide digital imaging and colour photographic businesses, which include the R&D and manufacturing operations in Switzerland, are owned by Paradigm Global Partners LLP.

The ILFORD name is well established in the history of imaging and today it continues to be associated with cutting edge technology thanks to its strong links to the photo imaging marketplace, research and development, technical know-how and manufacturing capabilities.

For more information on ILFORD, please visit www.ilford.com

New and improved ILFORD GALERIE Smooth Pearl and Gloss now available in sheets from 4 x 6 to A3+

Marly, Switzerland, 1st June, 2009 – ILFORD is pleased to announce the launch of the new and improved GALERIE Smooth Pearl and Smooth Gloss sheets. Created by the ILFORD research and development team to include a new optically controlled nanoporous layer and redesigned base, GALERIE Smooth Pearl and Gloss sheets set a benchmark standard in imaging performance.

The media provides a full tonal scale from deep blacks through to crisp whites yielding an impressive HDR (High Dynamic Range). Professional photographers will appreciate the complete range of colours they can express with this new paper, providing the creative latitude needed to achieve breathtaking artistic results.

GALERIE Smooth Pearl and Gloss media is designed to make the most of the latest dye and pigment photo inkjet printers, and is fully compatible with even the newest machines on the market. Photographers will naturally gravitate to the new vibrant packaging created to reflect the clean and crisp images attained with the new GALERIE Smooth Pearl and Gloss.

Using the latest in digital imaging technology, the sheets feature several new characteristics including:

Optically controlled, nanoporous technology coating

As a result of ILFORD exploring the imaging possibilities of nanoporous particles and re-optimising the coated layer, photographers can now get the best possible results from the latest desktop inkjet printers. The new, virtually transparent layer reduces light scatter giving cleaner highlights, deeper shadows, more open mid-tones and improved sharpness. When used with dye inks the performance is staggering – the ubiquitous black cat becomes truly black!

Exhibition quality

The new paper creates prints which, when well lit, exhibit a rich tonality and an apparent three dimensional quality, that draws the viewer in to experience the depth of each photograph.

Innovative base, optimising weight, flexibility and opacity

Thanks to new, more compacted fibres, the 290gsm paper weight features greater opacity and flexibility which will transport easily through all current inkjet printer capabilities. The base also has a cleaner, more natural white tint, presenting a superb canvas for the image whilst retaining the feel of true photographic paper.

Full printer compatibility

ILFORD GALERIE Smooth Pearl and Gloss has a colour gamut that will fully exploit the benefits of the latest desktop, dye and pigment inkjet printers while remaining compatible with future technological developments.

Optimised ICC profiles, available at www.ilford.com

“Superb quality and universal appeal are the cornerstones of product development at ILFORD,” shares Jane Dixon, Head of Global Marketing, ILFORD Imaging Switzerland GmbH. “We’re delighted with the dynamic images and rich colour palette emphasized by the natural white base of the new GALERIE paper. We have surprised professional photographers with images that have blacks that are truly black and colours that have real vibrancy. And designing media which allows these photographers to meet their creative aspirations is as important to us as it is to them,” finishes Dixon.

Product availability:

ILFORD GALERIE Smooth Gloss and Pearl will be available in sheets from 4 x 6 up to A3+ through JP Distribution, from June 2009.

JP Distribution:

JP Distribution is a successful division of Johnsons Photopia Ltd., an independent, privately owned company that can trace its roots back to 1743. JP Distribution is committed to providing an exclusive complimentary portfolio of leading brands for the professional and enthusiast photographer via a dedicated network of retail partners.
Mamiya, Sekonic, Lastolite, Gepe, Geimuplast, Billingham, PocketWizard, Peli, Trek-Tech, CamGrip, Magix and Schneider are all part of the JP Distribution brand portfolio.
JP Distribution is located in the heart of England at the company headquarters in Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire, where the company employs a wealth of experienced personnel with an unrivalled level of imaging knowledge, expertise and experience.

For more information on JP Distribution, please visit www.johnsons-photopia.co.uk

About ILFORD:

Founded in 1879, ILFORD is a leading player in the development and manufacture of photo quality media for both inkjet printing and colour photographic processes. The ILFORD worldwide Digital Imaging and Colour Photo businesses, including the R&D and manufacturing operations in Switzerland, are owned by Oji Paper, Japan.
The ILFORD name is well established in the history of Imaging and today it continues to be associated with cutting edge technology thanks to its strong links to the photo imaging marketplace, R&D, technical know-how and manufacturing capabilities.

For more information on ILFORD, please visit www.ilford.com