best photography paper

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vicki86

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Hello I'm currently in early stages of setting up a portrait photography business,
But I had look online too search for few last minute bits I need advice on but had no look.
So my next step is to ask the professionals.:)
I would like too print on Semi gloss and Matte, Is this right paper for portrait photography?
My printer is Epson, do I use Epson paper and were is best place too source?
 
More important than the paper is the inks. I would never use cheapo replacement carts after a bad experience with one, only genuine ones. If you're selling prints, they need to be long lasting - I have some from about 10 years ago that show no fading but they're behind glass. They're on Ilford Galerie gloss paper using Canon inks through an s820 printer (BCi-6 series inks.) Got some similar age prints that have never been framed but are out of direct sun light on Canon paper (same ink & printer), again, no visible fading.

Best prices seem to be from 7dayshop. I also use premier-ink.co.uk if I need stuff faster than 7day can deliver.
 
Thank you.
I currently sell canvas art work and use Epson printer and inks so I'm happy with my products
But with me wanting best product possible like long lasting images I thinkthe paper need to be top quality
As I only have high standards and I want customers to be happy,
But as I'm only just starting out with Photography last piece to puzzle is finding best paper?
 
TBH, your best bet is probably to get a few samples and do a load of prints of the same shot on the different papers. If they're mounted nicely they can be shown to clients as samples and they can make their choice based on what they can actually see.
 
The choice of paper is very personal. The problem is you can spend ages looking and never make a print ( I know). The best suggestion I can give is to look for trial packs. Not necessarily to print on but to get some idea of the paper finish and it's weight.

Now Ilford and Hahnemuhle do various packs. Although Id tend to steer clear of the very textured surfaces. For me I currently use Ilford Gold Fibre Silk or Cansons Bayrta Photographque ( which appear to be very very similar or the same product) .

My best advice is try a few papers. Select the one you like and then run with it. You can try other papers when you find interesting ones and see if you prefer them. I did this but came back to my preferred product.
 
For consistent quality we only use Ilford Galerie Prestige on our large format Epson Printer.
Colour profiles are spot on each and every time.
 
I've used a few papers with my Epson R3000.
Fotospeed PF Satin, Gloss and Lustre all work very well with it and the Platinum Baryta also gives good results.

I've also used Permajet Oyster which is quite nice and Ultra Pearl. However the Ultra Pearl maybe gives too much of a texture.

Epson Premium Semi Gloss is relatively cheap and works well for me too. Epson Traditional Photo Paper is good, but pricey.

Ilford Galerie Prestige Smooth Pearl and Smooth Gloss also give nice prints, but out of all the papers I've used these two have the strongest smell. It's like a mild 'sick' odour, you need to be very close to the print but it's only these two I've really noticed it from.

Hahnemuhle photo rag pearl is very nice, and the reviews for it are really good. However I did a set of test prints of the same image on this, Permajet Oyster, Ultra Pearl, Fotospeed PF Gloss, Lustre and Satin (I don't have A4 size of any of the others I've used). Out of them all I preferred the Hanhemuhle Photo Rag Pearl and PF Lustre, but it was quite close.

Overall though my favourite paper is Canson Baryta Photographique but I only have it in A3+.

As has been said paper choice is very subjective, but following the recommenmdations to get hold of a few sample packs is a very good idea.
 
Chappers said:
The choice of paper is very personal. The problem is you can spend ages looking and never make a print ( I know). The best suggestion I can give is to look for trial packs. Not necessarily to print on but to get some idea of the paper finish and it's weight. Now Ilford and Hahnemuhle do various packs. Although Id tend to steer clear of the very textured surfaces. For me I currently use Ilford Gold Fibre Silk or Cansons Bayrta Photographque ( which appear to be very very similar or the same product) . My best advice is try a few papers. Select the one you like and then run with it. You can try other papers when you find interesting ones and see if you prefer them. I did this but came back to my preferred product.
Click to expand...
I use the same paper and the gold mono silk to, very good.
Hanhemuhle sample pack are a really good way to find what suit you best and they are pretty cheap.
 
You'll get loads of different opinions, but just to add to the confusion, I would suggest getting a sample pack of various A4 Permajet papers from here

http://www.permajet.com/

This will contain a couple of samples of each paper and you can compare them.

I used Permajet for a while but I really like Fotospeed nowadays and you can find out more about their papers here

http://www.fotospeed.com

I really doubt you'll do better than these but as I say, we all have our favourites. Many differences are pretty subtle though and I bet your clients won't be worried about which brand you use. Find two or three types of paper you like and stick with them

Good luck, you'll be spoiled for choice
 
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having printed on most quality papers it's difficult to advise what to use.

I'm a fan of baryta papers both smooth and mottled. it's a hugely personal preference on what to print.

generally speaking the big company's all make decent paper and it mainly down to the surface you want to print on. most sell you test packs so for about £50 you can see what most are like
 
depends upon what the subject is, where its going, who's it for, etc, experiment and fine what suits you and your tastes the best.
 
I have a Epso 4900. I don't like Epson paper as it prints too blue?!
I have tried Hahnemuhle photo rag bright white 310 but that gave dark, flat low contrast prints. I like (as to people who ask me to print) the Ilford Galerie range.

For aditional information, I have never been asked to print portraits on matte rag style paper. Most people ask for the pearl finish. I don't shoot my own portraits so let the buyer choose.

Unless you print a lot of your own images - consider a good 3rd party printer. It is surprising how quickly they prices add up. I was lucky and got my printer 2nd hand for £800 but they are nearly £2000 new and the in isn't cheap either (always use Epson).
 
Check out Innova Fibraprint High gloss or its matte papers
 
The best semi glossy paper that I have ever used and still do is kirklands own brand from costco I had it recommended to me by a local proffesional photographer and I was not dissapointed, I print with an epson 2100 it is cheap and really is excellent.
 
i'm biased as I don't like epson, but the top end r800 and A3 photo printers were the only epsons I'd look at a few years ago
however, if you're selling prints, what about dye sublimation? or even getting them professionally printed for the sake of a day or two.
if you're selling on the spot, I've had mixed results with my home prints.
Also for printing on my canon, the best paper i've seen is the professional one made by canon that matches the printer itself. then use the correct profiles and you're onto a winner
 
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