Q: What photo paper do you use?

Hi Everyone,

Just wondered what the latest opinions were on photopaper. I sell a reasonable amount through my website and I have just decided to update my printed portfolios... a mamouth task as I don't have any and will probably print 100-150 images. Until now I have always used Canon's PR101 for standard prints and Somerset Enhanced for the Giclee-style prints. I've been very happy with the results from a Canon i9950 printer, but is there a better paper? Honestly, I am more than a bit confused by all the different makes and options.

Can you recommend:
1) a premium quality archival paper suitable for retail and wall-hanging
2) a good quality paper for portfolios
3) what are your opinions of Gloss Vs Matt? (I heard matt is better for behind glass)

I know lots of people on uknp love Epson printers, but please don't recommend a new printer as I don't have the cash to upgrade this right now. As ever, your opinions are greatly appreciated.

Hi Elliot

I use in my Epson R1800 ;

Epson Premium PhotoGlossy (for glossy prints)
Ilford Smooth Pearl (for satin/lustre prints)
Crane Museo Archival Matte (for giclee style art prints)
Somerset Velvet Enhanced textured (for giclee prints with a more canvas texture)
Epson Archival Matte (for cheap and cheerful prints)

I really like the Ilford Pearl paper, and very good value too.

For the more 'art' type papers I bought some sample packs of Crane, Somerset, Hahnmuhle, etc and printed a test image on each and then decided which finish I liked. I went for the Crane AM and the Somerset textured. I then had each paper profiled by Native Digital.

Personally I don't think there is much to choose between the art papers in terms of quality and finish. However there is a difference in price and also the range of sizes you can buy in each paper. So if you want panoramic prints, greetings cards, etc then look at the range available too.

I purchase from Online Paper

cheers

Sean

p.s. I prefer a matte paper for mounting behind glass to avoid reflections and glare. Always use anti-reflective glass too for best results.

Hi Elliot I personally preferr the ilford galerie range of papers my favourite being the smooth gloss you can also download a range of profiles free of charge for their papers for quite a good number of printers, if you want to print on the Ilford paper drop me an e-mail and I will send you and A4 print to have a look at.

Phillip.

Hi Elliott - I have the same printer as you (and it gives excellent results) and the best paper imo is Permajett Matt: gives a lovely finish and looks really good behind glass as well. Not too expensive either when compared to the premium art type papers.

For an everyday working paper - and what I use for routine print sales - I have found Olmec satin finish to give a nice look and feel as well: I've never been a big fan of gloss and this gives a sofetr end result (in finish not sharpness of course ) that I like.

They did both take a bit of calibrating to get right (but I'm sure you'd do this anyway) but it's a setup for both that works well for me now.

Mark

For canvas printing..............Epson water resistant Canvas
For semi mat finish..............Epson Premium Semi Gloss
For mat finish .....................Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 308gsm
For Mat finish behind glass...Somerset Enhanced Velvet

For 150 prints you'd be cheaper farming out the work to a print shop or photo lab.

Hi Mark, Thanks for this. I was wondering about the Olmec range as they stock it on 7DayShop. I'm thinking matt would work well in the shiny portfolio sleeves too?

Hi John, Sounds like you're a printing workhorse! I had not considered farming out the work, but I will look into it. This photo printers seem to fly through the cartridges at an alarming rate. I think its time to sit down and work out the costs per print.

Thanks for all for the feedback.

A couple of people have said they use Somerset paper for 'giclee (or 'giclee-style') prints'.

Can you clarify what you mean by giclee (or giclee-style!) printing on a personal inkjet printer? What's the difference between that and a normal inkjet print?

I realise that, in simple terms, a giclee print is just a fancy inkjet print (!), but I'm interested to know what is done differently (in comparison to s 'standard' print) when doing a giclee print at home. Or is it just the choice of paper that determines whether it's an inkjet or a giclee???

Cheers chaps,

Michael S

EDIT - BTW, I had a look at your website Elliott - some great photos on there. I did notice in your landscapes gallery an image called 'Heather and Skye' - it may be just a typo, but it's not the Isle of Skye - it's the view of the Five Sisters of Kintail from the Mam Ratagan pass. The 'Skye' (with the 'e') might confuse some visitors to the site!

Cheers for the edit Michael. My mistake, I thought I was looking at Skye.

The giclee-style is just the paper. The paper is almost like textured art paper like you would use for watercolour hand painting. Its specially designed ofr inkjets and gives and absulte matt finish. It also renders incredible detail and sharpness. Almost all noise and pixelation is also rendered invisible. It pricey paper! Looks fantastic behind glass.

Hi Michael

Giclee is just a posh name for an inkjet print (rather than a laser or dye-sub, etc), usually on art style paper.

Wikipedia Definition of Giclee

cheers

Sean

Coolio. Thanks for that chaps!