Matte vs Glossy - What paper do you use?

[KevC]

Heya,
For those of you who print at home, what do you prefer? Matte or Glossy? I hope to invest in a pixma eventually, and will probably pick up this paper: Canon 50-Pack 8.5" x 11" Matte Photo Paper. (http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&dept=0&sku_id=0926INGFS10033158&catid=&newdeptid=20001)
Thoughts? My prints will probably be 8x10 or 5x7, and I'd like to keep them as long as I can lol. Framing them and putting them up on walls is also something I'd consider doing (I just hope to have pics good enough, lol!)

There is also: Canon PR-101 Photo Paper (http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&dept=20001&sku_id=0926INGFS19845101&catid=21165&newdeptid=21153) but I'm not sure about that. The reason I link to Bestbuy is that I'm working parttime there, and can hopefully get some discount (I do believe paper is one of the things that are heavily marked up)

Thoughts?
Kevin

[Steven M. Anthony]

I use both matte and glossy--depending on the image. I have an Epson 2200. I use matte when printing b/w as it gives me the best result (IMO). I guess I use more semi-gloss (premium luster) than straight glossy for color.

When shopping for a printer, check out the demo books at the shop you are at. Most will have examples of results on different papers so you can compare.

I know the pixima printers have gotten good reviews. I've not used anything but Epson as I have always gotten good results from them.

[Longwatcher]

I recommend getting any of the following brands.
- Ilford (Pearl finish is best - photo store brand)
- Printasia (See Ilford - consumer store brand version)
- Kodak Ultima (High Gloss is best, Satin is not bad)
- Kodak professinal inkjet (Lustre looks like Ilford Pearl)
Don't bother with Kodak everyday or premium.

The Canon Matte paper is good, but boring.
With any other Canon paper I highly recommend spray coating it after 24 hours to protect it from gas fading.

Just my opinion,
For more of my opinion on Canon BCI-6 ink set see (not sure if Pixma using this, but BCI-3 can't be to different and they use one or the other)
http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=50423

[Steven M. Anthony]

I recommend getting any of the following brands.
- Ilford (Pearl finish is best - photo store brand)
- Printasia (See Ilford - consumer store brand version)
- Kodak Ultima (High Gloss is best, Satin is not bad)
- Kodak professinal inkjet (Lustre looks like Ilford Pearl)
Don't bother with Kodak everyday or premium.

The Canon Matte paper is good, but boring.
With any other Canon paper I highly recommend spray coating it after 24 hours to protect it from gas fading.

Just my opinion,
For more of my opinion on Canon BCI-6 ink set see (not sure if Pixma using this, but BCI-3 can't be to different and they use one or the other)
http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=50423

I've always wondered about using non-epson papers with the 2200. Do you have any experience with that?

[Flagpole]

G'day!

Longwatcher, could you a quick summary on method and equipment you use to spray coat the pctures. I assume you are using some sort of commercial gloss.

How does it affect the colors?
How many coats would you use?
How long would you leave prints to dry before recoating with 2nd or 3rd coat?
How cost effective is it? i.e. How many coats on A4 page can you get out of each can?
Would you then still frame them behind glass or can they be hung as they are once coated?

Thanks for any replies,

Flagpole

[Penguin_101_1]

tag

[KevC]

tag Am I it?

[Penguin_101_1]

Am I it?
so I can find this back

[J Rabin]

Kevin:
Different people have different preferences. The Canon Matt paper is for B&W or draft printing. When you want easy high quality color, and you're novice, go with Canon Photo Plus Glossy for landscape, objects, etc., and the Canon Photo Plus Semi-Gloss (not sold at Best Buy) for closeup portraits of people. Print with Preview, using Canon profiles. Use 8.5"x11" paper to print two 5x7 and save money. Canon sells the 4x6" discounted in 120 packs.
After you get this nailed, then go to Ilford Classic Pearl, or the mass market Printasia line. Ilford 4x6" is nicely priced, and looks good when printed with Canon Photo Pro Profile and -yellow/+intensity as they recommend.
Moab papers, via mail order. Kodak's Ultima works good, especially lustre for portraits, but I've had frustration with green/yellow shifts using their most expensive inkjet professional. I think their profiles are poor.
There are many good papers for specific purposes.
Good Luck
J

[Hellashot]

I print to glossy - Epson glossy plus (or something) 10 or 10.4 mil on my Canon i560 because it prints best. I can get 4x6 Epson paper for 15 cents/sheet - cheapest I've found for name brand paper. I've tried Kodak, Canon and HP papers also. Canon was decent, HP and Kodak did poorly. I strongly recommend to see what brand paper works best on whatever brand and model printer you have. It's likely every model will print differently on different papers. I'd never suggest to anyone to use a certain list of papers.

[Jesper]

I used to use Epson Premium Glossy Photo Paper on my Epson Stylus Photo 950 printer, but I tried a pack of Ilford Smooth Pearl Paper, and I like it MUCH better than Epson PGPP. More info on Ilford photo paper types (http://www.ilford.com/html/us_english/prod_html/galerie/default.htm).

[memories]

What type of paper do you folks use with the Epson 2200. I've only used the Epson Premium Luster
but would like to try something else. What should it be?

[donlavange]

Enhanced matte is the least costly, but best for B&W. I have been using Velvet Fine Art for some shots and I really like the softness. Photo Gloss will give you the sharpest appearance.

[robertwgross]

Epson Premium Luster Photo Paper, almost 100% now.

---Bob Gross---

[gmitchel]

I use fine art papers. For B&W prints, I prefer matte and use Arches Infinity in smooth or textured surface. For color matte images, I use Epson Velvet Fine Art or Epson Radiant White Watercolor. For color images, I tend to prefer Epson Luster Gloss. For notecards, which can be color or B&W, I use Crane Museo.

Cheers,

Mitch

[mwinog2777]

At Fry'sElectronics try this one: GQ Glossy, 8.5x11".

$.99 for 20m sheets.

I have no idea how long it will last.

Great for giving pics to family/friends. They won't know it may have a short life. By then I'll tell them they didn't take proper care of the pic.

[quickben]

Where do you find print profiles for canon's inkjet paper ?

I use PP-101 and PR-101 A4 but I've never been able to find any profiles for them on my i850. Up to now I've been using the profile I made using the Adobe Gamma program in Windows. The results are generally good but seem a bit washed-out and I'm loath to just up the contrast/saturation to compensate.

Please help !!

Gary.

[BDM]

I have an Epson 2200 and use mainly Epson Premium Luster paper. I chose it because it closely resembles the Kodak Supra color paper I use for wet darkroom printing.

I have had good luck with the profile which came with the Epson driver. I know there are other good papers out there but I have enough trouble keeping the software variables under reasonable control that I would rather not introduce yet another variable by using a paper for which I may not have a proper profile. (I may try that in the future when I know more about what I'm doing).

In the end though, I think a lot depends on your particular taste and the subject matter being printed.

Bruce