Let's talk paper....

[mtbbrian]

I recently used a sample pack of paper from Canson Infinity papers and really liked the results.
I don't really put a lot into the digital prints I make, but it got me thinking about using better paper.
II have only really used Kodak, Fuji, Epson and HP papers, but I know there are a lot of papers I have never heard of.
I only have an HP Photosmart C7280, and make 8.5"x11 prints.
So enlighten me some here.
Thanks!
Brian

[GB1]

Good question. I've also wondered what's the differences in quality, longevity, and so on with photo papers these days?

[Medley]

Personally, it's a decision that I've generally let others make for me. Not that I haven't had a look into it. There are different weights, thicknesses, brightnesses (brighter paper works better in high contrast photos....) , and, of course, coatings. Coatings are probably one of the more important variables, as it often dictates the longevity (aka "archival quality"?) of the ink, and therefor the print.

No, my aversion to changing paper has to do with the fact that I do color management, and if you change paper, you need a new printer profile. The prosumer product solutions out there are either spotty, expensive, or both.

- Joe U.

[tayl0124]

From what I have read and heard... Unless you have the ability to profile the paper with your printer and ink, you are better off using hp paper with hp ink. But you also should have your monitor calibrated also. There is a lot more to printing out accurate pictures on a home printer than most realize. It may be easier to have them sent to a shop that allows you to download their printer profiles.

[Medley]

Amen Shawn. Usually, I do farm out my prints, just because creating and maintaining a printer profile is a tedium I don't want or need. But if you do this, you're stuck with whatever limited options the shop provides.

- Joe U.