Favorite Paper Surface Poll

Just wondering what people's favorite paper surface (matte, luster/satin, or gloss) that they're using? I also would like to know a good quality, reasonably priced paper, that you would recommend for commercial use (lots of prints) in your choice of preferred surface paper. I am upgrading my printer to a Epson 7900, so roll papers would be included. I currently use Epson Premium Luster 260 as my main paper. Thanks in advance.

Mark, maybe you ought to define "reasonably priced" paper. LOL That probably varies from person to person.
Personally I really like Breathing Color's Elegance Velvet Platinum, a matte paper. I also like BC's Optica One 360, a smooth matte, but much more susceptible to scratches. The use of those two for me is primarily dependent on the subject matter.
For an economy smooth matte paper I like Red River's Polar Matte.

I have quit using Epson Luster papers because the out-gassing has been so bad with it. I have even had out-gassing after one year, so much for their recommendation of letting it sit for 24 hours...............
With the "new" printers the dynamic range with matte papers has gotten so good that I actually prefer them, and after you put glass on them they all look glossy anyways.

I use Breathing Color's Lustre paper (can't remember the name of it right now but they only have one). I used to use Epson 260 but had similar outgassing problems like Randy and Breathing Color is cheaper. Also, I use Lyve and Optica One so I only have to order paper from one source.

I use prize-winning Canson Infinity Baryta Photographique as a luster paper, but it is not cheap. For unknown reasons, Canson will not disclose the thicknesses of their papers.

I have been compiling a library of test prints on different papers, using Bill Atkinson's Lab Test Page (as modified by Digital Outback Photo) as reference. To my surprise, I discovered that Canson's canned profile for their Baryta paper with the Epson 3800 printer produced a notable color shift in the reds. I thought at first this might be an artifact of my printer, inks or paper batch. But when I experimented using Epson's Premium Luster Photo Paper profile (with Relative Colorimetric intent), I got excellent results. Epson's Premium Semigloss profile was a close second.

When I notified Canson U.S.A. about the color shift, I was told they had never heard of this and would get back to me. Many months later I am still waiting ....

For matte papers I have used the popular Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 308. Again not cheap, but as I am a small volume printer, preparing prints primaily for exhibition, paper cost is not really relevant. This paper is unfortunately now discontinued.

I am planning to try Moab Entrada (a favorite of Linde Waidhofer), which is now offered in 17x25 size. Unfortunately only in 50-sheet lots.

My master printing class mentors, Bill Atkinson and Charlie Cramer, favor Epson Premium Semigloss and Ilford Smooth Pearl, respectively. Both papers are reasonably priced. As Charlie recently sold his 1000th print in the Ansel Adams Gallery, he and Ilford must be doing something right. Ilford is now offering a 310 gsm version of Smooth Pearl.

Canson Baryta which is a luster finish baryta based paper

For paper I chose Moab Entrada - been pretty pleased with it. Matte finish.
For canvas I use Breathing Coloe Lyve - beautiful stuff.

E.J. Peiker wrote:Canson Baryta which is a luster finish baryta based paper

E.J.

Great minds think alike. In 2010, Canson Baryta Photographique Paper won the TIPA (Technical Image Press Association) award for Best Fine Art Inkjet Paper.

What ICC profile are you using for your prints - canned or custom? Have you noted the anomalous color shift in the reds (toward orange) that I reported above?

Ilford Gold Fibre Silk is also a very fine paper. See MR's comparison: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/revie ... tale.shtml

I wish these papers were available in 17x25 size!

Jim

I'm a big fan of MOAB Slickrock Metallic Pearl these days. It's not for everything but when it works, it works. I'm still trying to get around to the rest of the sample pack that I picked up. Epson Premium Luster is a favorite as well.

I'm still learning my way around the EPSON 4900. I went from never owning a good printer to the 4900. A few years ago I attended a printing workshop in Santa Barbara. John Paul Caponigro and R. Mac Holbert taught a one week printing class at the Brooks Institute. If not for that I think I would be lost.