Seems like I can never quite settle on a fine art/photo paper for display. Been using Moab Entrada Bright which is quite nice, but now looking for a higher color gamut and dmax, for some images. Thus, I have tried a few Baryta papers and Epson Exhibition Fibre. For my own use, i mount to MDF board. For competitions and sales to friends, I sometimes go commercial and plaque mount.
With that background, for the "naked" displays, the archival quality and surface texture are most important than an image that will be laminated for a plaque mount. Just curious for those who plaque their work for sale, what they found is the best overall fine art paper? Glossy, matte, semigloss, etc. I have also read that the laminates used can interfere with the image quality slightly.
On a related note, I was quite impressed with the dmax and color gamut of the Epson Exhibition Fibre. Really impressive paper, but there are some questions about archival longevity. The finish is also susceptible to scratches I noticed. The Breathing Color's Vibrance Baryta was also quite impressive and what appears to be a durable surface and no OBAs. The one paper I haven't tired that receives good reviews is the Canson Baryta. Seems to be a good compromise with quality and cost. Ilford's Gold Fibre silk is also a great paper, but it much more expensive these days.
Posted by Frederic Hore on April 13, 2014 at 12:07 PM
If as you say you are mounting to MDF, with a protective laminate cover to be adhered to the surface, which usually involves a heat treatment process; then you are best to use a satin or matte finish paper. This was the advise given to me by a matting company here in Montreal for a series of 20x24 inch dry mounted prints I did for a large corporation.
I used Fuji Crystal Archive paper with a satin finish, printed by a pro lab on Noritsu digital printers. The mounted and finished result was excellent. The client was very happy with the product, with the images displayed prominently in the companies entrance lobby.
Yes, Frederic, your information helps a lot. Since my printer has size limitations, those prints I need beyond 17 inches will need a paper I may not be familiar with. The Fuji Crystal is one a local print shop had suggested as well.
Discussion
2 repliesWith that background, for the "naked" displays, the archival quality and surface texture are most important than an image that will be laminated for a plaque mount. Just curious for those who plaque their work for sale, what they found is the best overall fine art paper? Glossy, matte, semigloss, etc. I have also read that the laminates used can interfere with the image quality slightly.
On a related note, I was quite impressed with the dmax and color gamut of the Epson Exhibition Fibre. Really impressive paper, but there are some questions about archival longevity. The finish is also susceptible to scratches I noticed. The Breathing Color's Vibrance Baryta was also quite impressive and what appears to be a durable surface and no OBAs. The one paper I haven't tired that receives good reviews is the Canson Baryta. Seems to be a good compromise with quality and cost. Ilford's Gold Fibre silk is also a great paper, but it much more expensive these days.
I used Fuji Crystal Archive paper with a satin finish, printed by a pro lab on Noritsu digital printers. The mounted and finished result was excellent. The client was very happy with the product, with the images displayed prominently in the companies entrance lobby.
Hope this helps.
Frederic in Montréal