Quality of printer paper

[W00DY]

Hi All,

Now that I have bought myself an Epson printer the fun begins

There are quite a few papers on the market (Epson, Moab, Red River, Ilford etc...) I have been reading that some are NOT true archival, for instance Epson paper!!! Does this basically mean that the prints will not last as long? Is this an issue or would you still expect to get 20+ years from non archival paper?

The reason I ask is that because the R1900 printer is relatively new, not many paper stocks have ICC profiles for it yet. EPson are obviously one of the ones that do so I thought it best to use their paper (until I read the above).

What paper is everyone using for their prints? I am especially interested in the prints that you give to clients.

Cheers,

[Steffen]

I'm using Epson Premium Glossy and Ilford Galerie papers.

I found the downloadable profiles very inaccurate. Also, ink and paper batches change enough to warrant re-profiling every once in a while (3 or 4 times a year for my hobbyist use). For this I'm using Monaco's EZcolor software and a flatbed scanner. The Monaco software comes with an IT8 target for printer and scanner profiling.

Cheers
Steffen.

[Matt. K]

The Epson papers are archival quality and rated to around 100 years. They are excellent papers with the Matt paper being my favourite.

[digitor]

... with the Matt paper being my favourite.

Strangely enough....

Cheers

[jethro]

If you are using epson k3 inks then the arcival quality is great.
Most peole use dye based inks which wil definately fade.
Remember this. Wait for the Domayne , Harvey Norman prints cycle
for 15cents per print. this you will gain from.
Unless you have a high end pigment ink based printer at home DONT WASTE YOUR TIME
THEY WILL FADE AND YOU WILL BE MIGHTY PISSED OFF."FACT"
Cheers
jethro

[AndyL]

I use Epson semi-gloss and matte through an R800. Custom profiles were necessary because the canned profiles did not produce the desired gradations in blacks. These sorts of inaccuracies do not surprise me because of inconsistencies in printers (and their calibration), papers and inks that is bound to occur. I use a scanner based solution for profiling two or three times a year.

[Killakoala]

I like Ilford paper, but I also use Epson paper.

[W00DY]

Thanks all.

I bought some Epson Ultra Glossy Photo Paper (A4) yesterday and the results are amazing. I am very happy with the R1900. I had to make some small adjustments to the printer default settings, but after about 5 prints the results were spectacular. I am actually more happy with these prints then some of the ones I get from the lab.

I am a bit concerned about the ink levels, especially the gloss optimizer (no wonder they give you 2 ink tanks for this one to start with!!!). After 15 A4 sheets at the highest quality the Cyan is about 1/2 way empty.

[AndyL]

Glad you are happy with it.

First set of tanks? They usually do disappear fairly quickly as a fair bit is used to charge the system.
Cyan goes fairly quickly for me and I am thankful for the individual tanks. There was a time when I used an Epson printer with a 5 in 1 tank which needed to replaced entirely when one colour went. $$ wasted.

[Matt. K]

I suspect that when you buy a new printer the ink tanks are only partially full. That way then get you a couple of weeks later for a new set and...profit!...profit!....profit!

[Viz]

I suspect that when you buy a new printer the ink tanks are only partially full. That way then get you a couple of weeks later for a new set and...profit!...profit!....profit!

This is consistent with my experience and subsequent opinion.