Best Paper

Might sound a bit random however I was printing off some A3 images for a job and as is my method I include A4s as freebies for customers who order A3 or A3+ prints as they are priced relatively highly and the A4s are a little 'extra' for them. In my drawer of A4 papers I found an unmarked sheet that ultimately printed excellently and much better than my normal paper. I have no idea what make or manufacturer or where I obtained it as it's unmarked but the image print quality was markedly better than my current paper. It was thinner than my normal paper and therefore rolled up better as well for posting in cardboard tubes. In my ignorance I hadn't realised what a difference a quality paper might make. Recommendations please from forum members as to their preferred paper; cost is secondary.

Hahnemühle, Canson, Red River, Ilford and Moab papers rule.

Some papers work better for some images. Just be sure to install the correct paper profile and use it when printing on that particular paper.

Yep the above list of papers. Big fan of Canson but which paper depends on what type of image you are printing.

Thanks for the replies. Some of the makes mentioned do not seem to be available in the UK however Ilford certainly is and I have some ordered and on the way for appraisal.

Red River is most definatly not available in the UK, and they will also not under any circumstances ship it from the US over to here. Hahnemühle should be available, it is a European brand. Saying that I had an impression that the Ilford inkjet paper brand had been taken over by Hahnemühle. One paper brand that is worth looking at in the UK is PermaJet, they have a wide range of papers, and even transparent film for printing your own large format digital negatives. What is more they will create a specific .icc profile for any of their papers based on a test image that you print yourself, for free. This is great if you use non OEM inks, as it means you can get a good profile, without the need for your own hardware. They will do profiles for other papers too, at a nominal charge.

Alan

Also consider Innova Paper. I use and like it.

How do the papers suggested in this thread compare to Canon Photo Paper Plus Glossy II (PP-201) in terms of fade resistance?

agedbriar wrote in post #18389639
How do the papers suggested in this thread compare to Canon Photo Paper Plus Glossy II (PP-201) in terms of fade resistance?

I know that the Ilford and PermaJet papers claim about the same life expectancy as the Canon papers, I actually use Canon Platinum Pro (PT101) in my Pixma MG5150 A4 all in one, along with OEM inks. The Canon paper is actually a little cheaper than the Ilford in A$ in the super glossy finish option. My local camera store WEX, which is also a very popular online shop in the UK, has sample books containing Canon, Ilford, and PermaJet paper samples, printed on a Pixma Pro 100. I can say that all of the papers seem to hold up well to the constant handling that they get in those books. I have to say that the Canon PT101 is actually my favorite of all of the mentioned options.

Long, short, I don't think that you will be disappointed by any of the results from papers from Canon, Ilford, Hahnemühle, or PermaJet when printing with a good quality inkjet, like a Pixma Pro 100, from a quality point of view. Really the best way to know if you will like the paper surface finish though is to go look at sample books in a store. PermaJet do offer a couple of test packs with like four sheets of five different finish type, which is helpful if you can't get somewhere to see samples.

Alan

Thank you Alan,

I've been spoiled with the fade resistance of the HP swellable polymer, now discontinued. Must try the Canon Platinum, yes, although it's much more expensive and not so easy to find locally, at least in A4.

I'm using an MG7550 and the three nozzle sizes for each C, M and GY seem to do a quite good job in the place of Light/Photo ink strength.

So, I've tried Canon Pro Platinum and I find it great.

Deep and clear blacks, strong local contrast, excellent sharpness at Print Quality = 1.

agedbriar wrote in post #18410741
So, I've tried Canon Pro Platinum and I find it great.

Deep and clear blacks, strong local contrast, excellent sharpness at Print Quality = 1.

Yes I print on it at the maximum quality setting, it's the only paper that I have found that recommends the maximum quality setting on my printer. With the OEM inkset, and printing from the Lr print module I really like it for black and white prints. It gives me results very much like I remember getting from using Kentmere RC glossy paper, with deep blacks, and very bright whites, but with a lovely smooth and very neutral mid tone grey. I actually think it would be nice if Canon offered it in 10×8, so that I don't have to trim the A4 for that real traditional look.

Alan