Monochrome and Color Fine Art Prints by John Palmer

Piezography Carbon Pigment Inks

Since 2002, I have committed my printmaking to utilizing Piezography Carbon Pigment inks, a methodology that epitomizes the highest standards in black-and-white printmaking. Developed and refined by Jon Cone of Cone Editions Press, Piezography is globally acknowledged as the most archival and tonally precise monochrome printing system currently available.

My fine art prints are produced using a converted Epson Inkjet printer, specifically customized to operate solely with Piezography carbon pigment monochrome inks. Unlike standard inkjet systems that utilize dye or composite pigments, this process involves layering multiple shades of pure carbon, resulting in exceptional tonal depth and seamless gradations. The outcome is a black-and-white image that combines the delicacy of fine silver gelatin prints with the permanence and richness of pure carbon.

Equally essential is my choice of paper. I print exclusively on Canson papers, manufactured by one of the world’s oldest paper mills, which has been in continuous operation since the 1500s. For monochrome prints, I utilize Canson Edition Etching Rag, a beautifully textured, museum-quality paper that perfectly complements the depth and subtlety of Piezography carbon. For color prints, I employ Canson Platine Fibre Rag, a luxurious baryta-style paper that offers unmatched brilliance and tonal range. These papers are among the finest globally, and their proven archival stability ensures the longevity that the inks themselves require.

The combination of Piezography inks and Canson papers yields prints characterized by exceptional permanence — tested to remain stable for several centuries without fading. Such a standard of quality is not broadly accessible, as it necessitates specialized equipment, uncommon materials, and extensive technical expertise.

When you acquire one of my prints, you are receiving not only an expressive work of art but also a rare object of enduring craftsmanship — a photograph produced with the best inks and papers available anywhere in the world.

Photographer John Palmer