Paper for your printer...
This all started when, a friend, Don Malm sent me the following
e-mail...
“Hi Garry & Geoff:
While out at Frys today I read an announcement Frys
had posted in their Photo-Papers department. It seems important
enough that we should all know about it by publishing it in our NAJ.
(Northwest
Amiga Journal). Anyway their announcement went like this:
_*FRYS*_
DID YOU KNOW
That there are 3 main kinds of paper?
Organic based (HP)
Mineral based (Epson)
Water based (GQ)
The kind of paper directly effects(sic) the quality of the print.
All ink cartridges are designed in the same laboratories as the paper
for the best photo work possible.
Is this something we should all watch for and make sure of a proper
match?
And have I just been ignorant &/or unobservant as usual, or is this
something that matters?”
Good Question Don!
Yes, this is something that matters, but there is
no plain paper answer, as some of this is subjective, and a matter of
one’s artistic tastes.
If you read the manual that comes with your printer,
it will state that you will get the best results if you use the
manufacturer’s recommended inks and papers.
Early Inkjet papers had an obvious clay coating to keep the ink from
blotting and the clay coat enhansed the ink’s color. Today’s
papers are coated, but the coating is not as noticeable as the older
papers.
Photo glossy papers are made with a resin that not
only adsorbs the ink, but make’s water soluable inks “water-proof!”
If one were to purchase a printer based strictly on
manufacturer paper support the best choice would be Epson.
http://www.epson.com
The above URL displays a map of the world, click on USA, on the new
page
find the “paper and media” tab. In this listing you will find 19
Consumer and 34 Professional paper products for Epson ink jet printers!
Next best supported printer on the paper support list is Canon
http://estore.usa.canon.com/
Canon lists about a dozen different papers, in different sizes on four
web pages.
Hewlett Packard
http://www.shopping.hp.com
hp photo papers
* Premium Plus: HP’s best
* Premium: Just like traditional photos
* Photo: Instantly dry
* Everyday: Easy to use, 2-sided
hp business communications papers
* Brochure/Flyer: Professional look, 2-sided
* Premium Glossy: Durable
* Premium:Thick matte
hp greeting cards
* Photo: Vibrant, glossy photos
* Matte: Smooth & bright white
* Textured: Rich texture
* Linen: Classy look with linen
hp creative project papers
* Iron-On Transfers: Fun, great for photos
* Banner: Bright white - say it big!
Lexmark
http://www.lexmark.com/US/products/products_supplies/0,1228,fDE=,00.html
Lexmark only lists a few “Lexmark” branded papers
All the manufactures offer advice on their web pages as to what
papers
work best with their printers, the best ink to use, and in some cases
will give you the appropriate printer settings.
But, in reality we are not limited to papers recommended by the
manufacturer.
There exists an overwhelming gamut of papers, all subject to approval
by
the artist’s or users eye.
3rd party papers
Kodak
Kodak offers a wide range of inkjet papers ranging from presentation
and document papers to their Ultima Photographic brand. At their
web site they offer a tutorial on how to print and provide printer
settings
for their paper and a wide range of printers. All the suggested
settings
are based on printing from a “windows” PC.
Kodak Printer settings
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-locale=en_US&pq-path=1963
It costs how much???
Some of the 3rd party “artist” papers can be quite expensive, however,
the daunting task of finding a “paper” that meets your approval and
wallet... can be aided by purchasing sampler packs. Here are some 3rd
party Paper
Samplers:
Legion
http://www.legionpaper.com/?SubCategoryID=6&PageType=Page
Digital Paper Sampler -
Letter Size (8.5x11") 12 Sheets
Mfr Catalog # LSDS85117
Includes two sheets each of the following papers:
* Somerset Photo Enhanced Velvet
* Somerset Photo Enhanced Textured
* Concorde Rag
* Photo Matte
* Photo Gloss
MediaStreet
http://www.mediastreet.com
Media Trial PAKS (Product Awareness Kits)
We have assembled a selection of our media for you to purchase in
variety sample packs to make it easier for you to determine which of
our products suit your imaging needs. Each Pak is available in either 8
1/2 x 11, or
11 x 17.
*Generations ProPhoto PAK (Starter Kit for use with Generations
ProPhoto Ink)
Starter PAK includes: 10 sheets of Generations ProPhoto Lustre 10 mil.,
10 sheets of Generations ProPhoto Gloss 10 mil., and 5 sheets of Royal
Canvas Glossy White
*Media Trial PAKS (Generations Fine Art Media)
2 sheets each of: Artist Grade Canvas (glossy), Royal Plush, Royal
Weave, Royal Jazz, Royal Riviera, Royal Renaissance (189 gsm), Royal
Renaissance (309 gsm), Aspen Moguls
*Media Trial PAKS (Photographic Media)
2 sheets each of: Generations ProPhoto Lustre, Generations
ProPhotoGloss, Glacier PhotoMatte, PhotoRealistic Dual-Sided Semi
Gloss, Aspen Dual-Sided Matte, Aspen 24 lb. Bond, Aspen 31 lb. Bond,
Aspen 42 lb. Bond, Royal Canvas Glossy White
Distributed by Olympus
—Portico Inkjet paper
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_digital_acc.asp?val1=1&accessory=11
Pictorico Sampler Pack InkJet Paper -
Letter Size (8.5x11")
Mfr Catalog # 200627
List Price: $16.95
Pictorico Sampler -
With so many choices of ink jet media in the marketplace, it is often
difficult to find the brand that works best for you. Some brands are
not compatible with your printer, others don’t have the “look and
feel” you desire. And you don’t want to waste your money to find this
out! Try the Pictorico line of premium inkjet media with the Pictorico
Sampler. includes one sheet each of the most popular Pictorico
products:
- Photo Gallery Hi-Gloss White Film
- Premium Photo Glossy Paper
- Premium Canvas
- Premium WaterColor Card Stock
- Premium PolySilk Fabric
- Premium Adhesive Film
For a review of some the above papers go here...
http://www.imaging-resource.com/ARTS/IJPAPERMS/IJPAPERMS.HTM
The review will give you a good insight as to the technology and
complexity that is involved in producing these products. It might also
help you decide what paper might be right for your own projects.
EMP, (Even More Papers)
Red River Papers
http://www.redrivercatalog.com/pages/splashpages/samplekitgroup.html
- Over 30 Different Papers
Gloss * Matte * Watercolor * Speciality Photographer Sample
Kit
—Photo weight glossy, matte and semigloss
Card Sample Kit everything you need:
prescored cards,envelopes and Folder/Envelope Sampler selection of 9X12
folders, A-6, A-7 and booklet envelopes
Lumijet
http://www.lumijet.com
PAPER SAMPLER PAK contains four sheets each of the basic four photo
papers:
LUMIJET Glossy R/C, Double Sided MATT, PEARL and PAPER CANVAS. Size
8.5"X11"
$9.49
PORTFOLIO SERIES SAMPLER PAK...
This sampler PAK contains 14 sheets of Portfolio Series papers....2
each of all 6 different media types..
PRESERVATION SERIES SAMPLER PAK...
This sampler PAK contains 10 sheets of the fine art Preservation Series
papers....2 each of 5 different media types. (Does not include Radiant
White 100% Rag)
Printer Settings & ICC Profiles
Most of the above paper manufactures offer optimum setting for your
printer and the kind of ink you are using. (in some cases they
recommend
their brand of archival ink). Some also offer ICC color profiles for
each
type of paper, ink and printer. However these color profiles are
set
for PhotoShop users (Windows or Mac) only.
So you see Don, what you get out of your printer depends on the kind
of paper and ink you use. But, the final result is in the eye of the
beholder! And, that brings us to the related topic of Ink! Archival
inks, and other 3 party inks for your printer.
State of the Art on Inks...
The printer manufacturers suggest that if you want the best colors use
their ink! And, in fact most 3rd party inks fall short of the color
gamut of the original inks...but, strides are being made in this area.
Interestingly, the most Archival ink supported printer is made
by, yes, you guessed it --- Epson.
A good summary of the state of archival INK can be found in a
discussion here on the web,
http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=000Iv3
here is an excerpt...
*COMPARISONS: Until Epson introduced the Epson Stylus Photo 1270
(March 2000) and the Epson Stylus Photo 2000P (July 2000), all Epson
printers
came with only the Epson Standard inks, which will usually only last 1
- 3 years before noticeable fading occurs, which is why we offer a
variety
of 3rd party archival ink alternatives for the other Epson printers.
(Note:
To date, Epson is the only inkjet printer company that has ever
addressed
archival or lightfast issues, and is the only printer with a cartridge
that 3rd party companies have wanted to pre-load with archival inks –
due
to the great adaptability of the Epson system.) Each of these 3rd party
color inksets have their advantages and disadvantages. To start with,
no
3rd party archival ink will perform the same as the original Epson
Standard
inks. Although they are formulated to work well (packaged in Epson-type
cartridges)
in your Epson printer, these 3rd party inks each have their own unique
color
palettes and printing characteristics. Caution: Third Party Archival
inks
should only be used by experienced Epson users or those who have the
patience
to make the needed color control adjustments. The viscosity of these
inks
is also different than the standard Epson ink, and may require
additional
cleaning cycle.
Where to Find Archival Inks...
The following sites offer archival inks... almost all for various Epson
Printers
http://www.inkjetart.com/archival_inks.html
http://www.inkjetmall.com/store/profilechooser1.html
http://www.mediastreet.com/cgibin/tame/mediastreet/ink_cartridges.tam
http://www.marrutt.com/Fotonic_cert.htm
http://www.marrutt.com/index.html
http://www.edps-nj.com/archive.htm
Lysonic¨ Archival Ink Cartridges for Epson Printers
http://www.einks.net/lyson.html
I did find a site that offered Canon & Epson Archival Inks
http://www.inkjet.linkopp.net/archival-ink.html
Archival inks are available for HP printers, but I was unable to find a
direct lnk from Google...
The State of the Archival Ink
If this site ever gets updated
http://www.wilhelm-research.com/
we will have an unbiased report on the effectiveness of the varioious
archival inks now available to the consumer. The PDF white paper
at this site
http://www.wilhelm-research.com/articles.html
“Society for Image Technology and Science”
is hopelessly outdated, but promises, oh so much.
However, the link below will give you connections to all important
maters reguarding inkjet inks, archival inks and their manufactures.
http://www.wilhelm-research.com/suppliers.html
Consumer Reports has published tests of ink and papers.
The results can be read at.
http://www.consumerreports.org/main/detailv3.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=303979&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=303973&bmUID=1050510319226
Have fun printing!
http://home.comcast.net/~garrystasiuk/