Which Paper to Use?

[Highsurf03]

Hi - I want to print some landscape pictures I took in Death Valley, California, and around Santa Fe, New Mexico. I'm looking at 8x10 and larger.

I have an Epson Stylus Photo R1800 printer. I'm also thinking that I may order prints from some commercial producer. In either case, my question is the same:

What is the best kind of paper to have them printed on?
I don't know whether to go with glossy, matte, metalic, or something else.

Is a different paper better for portraits?

I'm pretty new to this, so any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Gary

Gary Hartzell
ghartzell@mail.unomaha.edu

[freygr]

I like to print on Mat paper. Works good with my Epson R-2400. I've has the gloss paper turn yellow on me.

[drg]

To start, stick with paper by your printers manufacturer (Epson) until you get accustomed to how that works.

Mat does seem to work better (reasonable cost papers) than most glossy surface. If you want that higher contrast effect, be sure to fix/coat the paper with one of the aftermarket non-acid sealers and UV protectorants to prevent yellowing and fading.

Do protect any of your prints for several days from light and dust in a reasonable constant temp/humidty environment. Days, not hours. Then look at them.

You can always print a smaller size of paper to save money and time as a test. Then commit to the larger size.

Black and White v. Color can make some difference as well with certain brands of paper. Hahnemuhle (need an umlaut there...) paper is one of the better third party papers.

Do calibrate you computer screen at least. Color will otherwise not work anywhere near what you may expect.

There are several on going threads in various forums here at PR on these topics.

If you have photos printed, be sure to submit test samples and don't commit to the 'big' order until you know how they will come out.

That Epson will produce fine, high quality photos on the 'right' paper and with patience. Keep it clean, use Epson inks, and don't get in a hurry.

Specific questions sometimes are easier to answer.

Welcome to Photography Review.

[Frog]

For scenery with color, I've come to really like the metallic paper. Probably not so good for portraits though.

[fx101]

If you're going to print yourself then the higher end epson papers are really good. The Kodak injket papers tend to fade easily (glossy or matte). If you're going to order them don't get inkjet prints. Get prints from a lightjet or chromira (West Coast Imaging is the big one here). These systems use lasers to expose your image on real photographic paper like Fuji Crystal Archive and if you provide them 300dpi files (horzpixels/300, vertpixels/300 gives you max print size) and print on superglossy paper you will have epicly beautiful prints without spending $$$$$ on expensive photo inks. Plus they have 100 year fade times. For portraits always print on matte, it looks infinitely better because of the soft effect. For landscapes/colorful scenes you might like the superglossy because colors will be very vivid and the lacquer protects the image from fading although it will be very prone to scratching (i.e. album or frame it). The Kodak Metallic paper is also available and is nice for really vivid color scenes (i.e. flowers) but not for portraits. IMO, Supergloss Fuji Crystal Archive is the best choice for commercial prints from a lightjet or chromira. I would personally recommend prints from the chromira since they have deeper blacks and are about as good as you would get to film level quality. Either way, for prints larger than 8x10 don't bother with your printer, the money you will spend on ink will be immense and the quality will never be as good as an optical printer.