Need paper recommendation.

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J

Jay H

PFG, Picture Framing God
Joined
Dec 8, 2003
Posts
9,908
Loc
KY
I use 24” rolls in my printer and I'm looking for a paper. Mostly I use Epson Enhanced Matte and Epson Premium Luster. They are good and cheap papers.

I'm looking for something a little different for a project. I want a paper that is less matte than Enhanced Matte and less Luster than Premium Luster.

I love love love Epson Exhibition Fiber. I like it because the ink has about the same sheen as the paper. The paper isn't glossy but isn't matte either. As Goldilocks would say “It's just right”. Priced at $HolyCrap.00 who wouldn't? To say it's pricy would be an understatement and it doesn't come in 24” rolls.

Does anybody know of a less expensive option that would have a similar type finish?

I've looked at Hahnemuhle Photo Rag and think it may work. At $100 for a 40' roll that's doable. I've been doing some reading and it seems that Ilford may have some options that could fit but I'm just not familiour with any of their stuff. Has anybody used Epson Semimatte? Ideas?

Thanks!
 
You should have asked me this last week when you were up here. The photo rag is dead flat but has an incredible richness to it.
 
Very quick note from work.
I called my friend who's the color guy at a large
printing company. He also does prints on paper
and canvas for a lot of local artists.

He said that he's more used to working with art
papers than photo papers, but off the top of his
head, he gave a few ideas. He said you might checl
out Museo Silver Rag, Ilford Silk Pearl, and the Innova
line of papters. He said it sounds like you're looking for
one that's sort of a cross between 'art' and photo papers,
and that these are close to how Premium Luster looks
but a bit different. He said a bit more, but that's the gist
of it and all I have time for right now.

It's been awhile since I saw a post of yours and this
week, I missed seeing your name here. Glad to know
you're okay. Have a good day. Out.
 
I will check my paper specifier when I get home to see if Epson has anything in a less expensive paper for the project.
 
That is most helpful. You have a great resource in that friend.

He understands exactly what I want.

I have read some thing things about both papers you mention. That does tell me I'm on the right track.

Thanks.
 
I just called midwest. They also understood what I was looking for and reccomended Ilford Gold Fibre Silk. They also said that Inkpress has a newer paper that was similar to Exhibition Fibre. It was actually more than the Ilfor and probably not as high of a quality. So I have a roll of Gold Fibre comming.
 
That's toward the high end of what I want to pay. I would pay it if it were a close match to Exhibition Fibre. Can you tell I just love that paper?

I'll let you know what I think when I get the paper. I can't wait to try it out. It was right at $100 for a 24x50.
 
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