Printer paper question
W00DY
Registered Users Posts: 183 Major grins
Hi All,
I just picked up a new Epson R1900 printer and was wondering what paper would be bets to use. Is the Epson paper the best? or another brand?
I will be using this printer to produce smaller (up to 8x10) client prints so I need the output to be of a professional level.
The problem is this printer has not been released in Australia yet (I got a promo one) so none of the places here now aything about it.
Cheers.
I just picked up a new Epson R1900 printer and was wondering what paper would be bets to use. Is the Epson paper the best? or another brand?
I will be using this printer to produce smaller (up to 8x10) client prints so I need the output to be of a professional level.
The problem is this printer has not been released in Australia yet (I got a promo one) so none of the places here now aything about it.
Cheers.
0
Comments
Buying a new product / printer without any local support system can be problematic.
While not an Epson owner I believe this is an update to their R1800 which has been around for awhile, so maybe not that big of a deal / change.
As to paper, almost all paper questions can be answered with, yes, no, maybe, and depends.
There is NO ONE best paper.
There are a ton of different manufacturers papers available.
If I were you I would plan on expending some time and effort on paper / print testing. Each type of papers will give you a different look, and feel to the final print.
What type of photography do you do? Which type of paper will express your images in the way you envision them?
Do you like warm, or cool images? Do you have a lot of fine detail in your images, or soft flowing colors, tones?
I consider printing the image to an independent art, and science.
I would recommend looking at, testing papers within say 3 broad categories to begin with. Matte, semi-gloss / satin, and gloss.
If local availability is important then begin at your local store.
Oh, and before I forget, you do have a calibrated monitor right?
Do whatever tests you need to do to winnow the choices down to maybe one or two in each category.
Now you will have a choice of different looks to compliment your different images.
As a quick example I recently tested Harman Gloss FB AL with Red Rivers Arctic Polar Gloss.
The Harman is a Baryta type paper, without OBA. The color, detail, look, and feel are fantastic.
The red River paper is an RC type Gloss and costs 3 or 4 times LESS that the Harman.
I printed the same image on both of these papers and laid them down on the table. If I pick up the prints I can tell the difference immediately. The Harman is substantially thicker. If I just have them on the table side by side I might, and I stress might be able to see a very slight advantage to the Harman. If I separate the prints by the length of the table, I don't believe anyone could see a difference.
This is an example of why you need to do your own tests, and dedermin what is best for you, and your needs.
Sam
The R1900 is coming out in Australia next month, so support will be there when I need it.
What I have found though is there are a lot more Epson papers available in the US than there seems to be in Australia (unless I just can't find them).
Then there is Illford here as well. I am sure there are plenty more but for some reason google is not bringing back too many places in Australia to buy paper.
Epson Australia also do not seem to provide ICC profiles like Epson US or Europe, guess we are too small
Anyway, if anyone has any recommendations to where to buy paper from (it does not have to be in Australia) it would be much appreciated.
Cheers.
If your not worried about local availability the world is your oyster. At least with regard to buying paper.
You can download ICC profiles from anywhere, although there may be an availability delay for newer printers.
Make sure the paper you buy is for pigmented ink.
One US online provider you could try is Booksmart. They have both paper, and profiles.
Again, you must test for yourself. That said my current, price is no object, favorites are Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 308, Hahnemule Photo Rag Pearl, and Harman FB AL gloss.
For a more economic option I like the Canon Premium Matte (only available on rolls), Canon Premium Bright Photo Satin, and Canon Heavy Weight Satin Photo Paper (only on rolls), RR ( Red River) Polar matte, RR Arctic Polar Satin, and RR Arctic polar Gloss.
I am always willing to try new paper, but these papers allow me several options to print an image and get the look / feel I envision.
Sam