Choosing the best paper for printing your own photos
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- čas přidán 21. 07. 2024
- Keith Cooper looks at the process of picking a paper to print your photos. Why it matters getting the basics right and why picking just a few paper types at the beginning gets you better results in the long run.
There is much more in the 'Choosing the best paper' article at www.northlight-images.co.uk/ch...
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Amazing video Keith! Thank you for being the only youtube making the content for people with canon pro printers that nobody else has made
Thanks very much for that - I've just heard that a PRO-200 is also being sent out for me to test
Thank you!!! I appreciate you helping!! Have a great day/night!
Thanks - do check the articles as well if you want more info...
www.northlight-images.co.uk/photography-articles-and-reviews/printing-paper-reviews-articles/
I watched all your printing videos and I have learned a lot. Thank you Keith!
Thanks!
Very well spoken. A wealth of knowledge. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, glad it was of interest
Your videos are always so helpful Keith. Thanks.
Glad you like them!
@@KeithCooper What are the two matt papers you have there Keith? I've been looking for a good Matt. I've been considering the Canson Infinity Baryta Photo II Matt White or as a slightly cheaper alternative fotospeed natural soft bright white or fotospeed smooth cotton. Mainly for black and white prints.
Ah, I quite specifically didn't name any papers in that video, since the key message is about the types of paper. I don't actually know what ones I used in the video - see ones I created profiles for in the main [written] pro-300 review - it might have been from those...
I've used Innova papers for many years - their papers appear with many different labels on the boxes ;-)
Just starting out with printing. It's overwhelming how many papers there are out there. Thank you for this video.
Glad it was helpful! Just keep it simple to start with...
Great advice as always, thank you
Glad it was of interest!
Great advice. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks - It's partly in the hope that some people will pause their eternal search for a 'better' paper and master more of the basics first
@@KeithCooper I got a sample set from Hahnemühle and used that to choose. As it is right now my favorite paper is their Photo Rag Satin, but I am waiting for a new SC-P900 which unfortunately is unavailable at the moment, so I can start testing out some of their other papers.
Yes - still waiting for a P900 here...
Just starting out a small home e-business and really appreciate the tips on paper types. Pointed me in the right direction on where to get started for my Canon TR8520 as I haven't done more professional printing on it just yet. I did want to ask if it's possible to print on both front and back of Cannon Luster paper as I wanted to do info cards. Any feedback would be appreciated! Thanks again for the informative content!
Glad it's been of use.
There are only a few double sided papers and they will be marketed as 'double sided'. The results with normal papers range from 'poor' to 'awful'...
The discussion relative to the subject title of this video doesn't start until the 5'20" mark. Great info! Just took a while to get to it :)
Thanks - One of my earliest videos - I'll revisit the topic in more detail when I next get a higher end printer to test
BTW This particular video was produced as a supplement to the main written article at:
www.northlight-images.co.uk/choosing-the-best-paper-for-your-photo-prints/
@@KeithCooper I just got myself a new Epson SC-P900 printer for Xmas. The info you provided was just enough to get me over the hump about what paper to use for a B&W snow landscape. Looks fantastic on Presentation Matte stock.
Excellent - glad it helped!
Hi there Keith thanks so much for all your expert info. I bought the Epson et 8550 and want to get some nice thick matte paper for A4 and A3 prints for both colour and b&w. I used to get my prints done on canson rag paper at the print shop and really loved how they came out. I would like to use the most similar paper but am not sure what to go for with this Epson.
Kind regards, Rebecca
Thanks - see the papers I tested and notes on the importance of media settings and profiles at:
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
@@KeithCooper Thank you
Hello, mr Cooper,
First of all I have to thank you for many detailed reviews and sharing your experiences.
I'm using Professional Print Layout software and Canon pro 300, standard matte paper. Color management is always based on ICC profile for the paper, however I always have to fine tune each image before printing to make it as similar as its copy in photoshop.
Is this fine tuning normal or I might be using bad batch of paper? Lets say that my monitor hasn't decalibrated in past 6 months.
Thanks!
Glad to help!
It's important to realise that every paper brings its own characteristics to a print.
That means that every print will, on a different paper, will look different in some way.
'Standard matte paper' is in many ways one of the worst to choose if you want to attempt to match up screen to print - the dynamic range (and gamut) is lower than a lustre/gloss paper, which is way less than a screen.
Basically you're never going to get a screen/print match ;-)
There are lots of ways of addressing and working with this, but yes, adjusting for print is part of the process. With practice you can refine this, but accepting that prints and screens are two different things is a key starting point - that and it's the print that matters, with the screen just being an intermediate step.
Hope that helps?
Thank you, Keith, A quick question, please. When we download and print one of your test images. How do we know if it is a good print or not? What do we compare it with? Should we reference it with what's on our calibrated monitor? thank you
Read the description on the download page - it explains all the panels of my standard colour image.
How do you know they are right? - you have to trust your own judgement ;-)
The B&W image has its own info pages too.
Of course, viewing the image on a good monitor will give you an idea, but since prints can never match a screen, and every paper will look slightly different, there is no 'reference' as such [take this as one of the key principles to take away from using the test image ;-) ]
Now, there are ways of measuring prints and calculating profile accuracy, gamut etc, and this is a key element of commercial print colour management and quality control. However, it has very little of relevance to most people wanting just to make great photo prints.
Hello from America Keith. I am really looking for a printer more so for art work. I was looking at the P700 because its less money than the P900. Most of the art pieces I do are 14x17. When it says 13" I am unsure if that just means the roll on the back or does that mean it will not print on any paper wider than 13" or that it only take up 13" on your desk? I use thick drawing paper and water color paper. Some pages I use are 9x12 but most of the prints I make are 14x17. I couldn't see any extra features that the P900 had vs the P700 vs just the amount of space it takes up on your desk and more variety of sizing. I am hoping I don't need to do the P900 as it goes up to 17x22 which is far to wide for me, and I would never go that large. I am tired of doing research (just keep going round and round) and I just need to make a decision. Don't have a whole lot of money to throw around given the current climate we are in. This is my first high quality wide-format printer. Last one I did was the epson workforce- which was an ok printer but wasn't enough for what I need. So I am not familiar with using the surecolors. There are so many printers out there its overwhelming as you get varying reviews from people who have used them. Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated. Would the P700 print on thick paper the size of 14x17 inch, do you know if there are any extra features in the P900 that make it more favorable, or can I stick to the P700? Thank you as always for your great reviews! Take care!
Hi - I'm afraid the maximum width of the P700 is 13" - maybe a very small fraction over, but definitely not 14" (I just measured it) The same goes for the Canon PRO-300 I looked at recently.
The P900 also has bigger ink carts, so whilst you'll need to replace your first ink cart for the 700 after 20-30 prints, the 900 just comes with more ink (almost a P700 full set's worth)
I should get a 900 to test (when Epson UK have some) so I can see then just what the ink situation is.
@@KeithCooper You know it said that the P900 was going to be available in July 2020. I don't know if they have actually released this printer or have not due to COVID. There are some places that you can "pre-order" another places they put you on a wait list. However, I have seen online people who have purchased the P900 already who did not get it for free to review. So the only thing I can figure is it was released but due to COVID their stock was low, or they have them in their facility and are waiting till COVID gets better before shipping them. I am unsure. Thanks for answering my questions Keith. Looks like I will have to do the P900. There is one site ItSupplies-unsure what country they are in- that has the P900 available for order.. no preorder no wait list. So gonna give them a call tomorrow. If I can get my hands on one Ill shoot you a message letting you know my thoughts. Thanks Keith. Take care.
I use Canon Pro Luster (LU-101) A3 and A4 on canon pro-100 fantastic quality. and Mediajet pearl bright white 300 gr
The PRO-100 can give good results, but definitely benefits from good paper profiles. It's very similar to the PRO-200 from a print quality POV, but the 200 is significantly better from a basic usability viewpoint.
Hi Keith how do you rate the Canon Pro 300 versus the Epson P700, very good informative videos Many Thanks
Different markets - depends on which features are most of use. From a print quality POV, the differences are never going to be obvious. All modern printers are good already.
BTW Do note that I never publish direct comparisons - have a read of the actual full reviews and see the different features (remember that my videos ore only ever short overviews). Happy to answer emails with questions, but note that 'best' is different for everyone ;-)
@@KeithCooper Many thanks I will read the article I want to move up a notch and print Photos for framing so as a prosumer / hobbyist, trying to be creative in my advancing years! the Pro 300 looks a good choice for this and your information has been a great help. Many Thanks
Thanks for the video. My printing company (KDP) only offers bond 90gr white paper, compared to a mat paper, pictures looks really cheap but quality is still ok for a large book. What are your thoughts of bond paper? should not be used for photo books? or bond could be a cheap option?
I've not tested such thin papers I'm afraid, so I don't know how well they profile or work with whatever printing process they use.
As ever 'acceptable quality' is likely the key...
Question can I cut fine art paper? The hannemulle A4 when cut in half to a A5 is cheaper then a hannemulle box a5. Or is it a bad idea to cut papers?
Yes, you can cut it.
You just need to have a way of cutting it accurately, and not damaging the surface.
I use a roller type cutter to get A4 sheets from A3 and A3+ sheets for when I'm testing B&W. I don't ever get A4 boxes of paper, since this is about the only time I print that small (other than cards, which i get pre-creased and with envelopes)
which is best for wedding album? lustre or hi gloss. please help. Thank you
Who knows? I don't photograph weddings, and tastes vary from country to country and bride to bride.
There is no such thing as a generic 'best' ;-)
Hi sir, if for photobook, double sided glossy paper, which 1 is Best sir? And which printer is the Best for photo printer A3+ size🙏🏼🙏🏼. Sorry for asking Both question here. Really seek your help sir🙏🏼🙏🏼
Not questions I can answer I'm afraid. There is no 'best' - it just depends on what you are looking for and what's available where you are. As for which printer - it depends...
Hi Keith. Thanks for this very informative video. I have been using Canon Chromalife 100+ inks with Canon Pro Premium Matte paper. The results are beautiful and I'm extremely pleased with how they look. I am going to be selling some of my prints and do have one concern. I have been told by Canon that the Pro Premium Matte paper is not acid-free. Is this acid in this paper going to cause the prints to deteriorate rather rapidly? Would it be better if I try to find a 100% cotton rag paper to use for prints to be sold? I want to stay with a matte finish and have already tried Moab Entrada Rag and it does not match the brilliance of the Canon Pro Premium Matte. The photos look faded and dull by comparison. Any advice you can give would be appreciated. Thanks!
You're using dye based inks - archival paper is, I'd suggest, a secondary issue...
Glad it's of help
The brilliance you mention is more likely due to OBA. There are quite a lot of bright rag papers around.
Whether all this is genuinely an issue is entirely dependent on your market and its expectations?
Epson Enhanced matte is a good paper - you mention Moab, so I assume that my UK paper selections are of no real use. I only look at papers I can easily get in the UK for my testing.
@@KeithCooper Thanks for your reply. My customer market does not expect an "archival" claim, but they do like to buy prints on "acid-free" papers. And even though I'm using dye inks, isn't less acid better for the print, in terms of how well it ages over time? Perhaps I will give the Epson Enhanced Matte a try. The Moab Entrada Rag I tried was the "bright" version, but the paper tones were a cold/bluish tone, and rather faded and dull compared to the warmer, yet more brilliant tone of the Canon Pro Premium matte. Thank you, Keith.
If your market wants is, then 'acid free' it is... (see my video about 'giclee' for more about this aspect of print sales ;-) )
You mention the colour of the image - this is what colour management and printer profiles is all about. Are you printing with profiles? If not then it adds a very unpredictable element into the whole process
@@KeithCooper YES. Printing with profiles. And I loved your "Giclee" video. Watched it several times!
Hi, I’m a collector of vhs tapes and i want to make a replacement sleeve for a couple of my tapes, You did speak about your 4 paper types however do you by any chance know what sort of paper stock vhs sleeves were released on. Perhaps you have a sleeve at hand and could check it out for me. It’s not a gloss, it’s like a paper but with a coating on top and behind and when you hold it feels great and your able to shake it and hear a squeaky kinda air movement. Is it brochure? Is it satin? Silk? Let me know thanks
It's not any photo paper type I know of (the only sorts I really look at) - the ones I can see look like a thin double sided magazine type paper.
Hi Keith Thank you for sharing your knowledge! I am trying to start a nature greeting card business and I have the Epson 8550 printer, I am trying to find 100% recycled paper card stock that is compatible and if possible more environmentally friendly ink do you know if there are any that work with this printer?
Forget the ink - there is nothing available. You are already using a bulk ink which won't kill off the print head or fade in a month.
As to paper - there are no good quality re-cycled inkjet cards with the right coatings for a printer like this [if you remotely care about image quality]
Maybe look at an alternative media (Hahnemuhle do some 'natural' media such as agave and hemp), but I've not seen them in card format.
It's an area I'm looking at for my big prints, but I'm afraid I can't suggest anything yet...
@@KeithCooper Thank you for your advise I really appreciate it! What card stock do you recommend ? Also where can I find the icc profiles for the 8550 and the icc for ink it comes with?
@@jamiesimon1975 See the main [written] review for what I've tried
www.northlight-images.co.uk/epson-et-8550-printer-review/
Hi Keith, I have the epson p900. I’m a high profile professional fine artist And I want to start selling prints of my paintings. I’m not sure what the normal rate is for fine art prints and I intend to sign them and do limited additions. A lot of the paintings were in big exhibits or and galleries. What do you suggest as a jump off point to start? I love your videos you give so much information so I thank you very much for that
A lot depends on the look you are after (see my art-repro video as well) but there are some very nice cotton rag based papers. It's quite a complex subject and the marketing is different from photos for artwork.
As an aside, I note your videos mentioning brushes - we helped Rosemary with their product photography setup a while ago - how to handle reflections from the ferrules.
@@KeithCooper wow!!! They are dear friends and I have two different sets with them. Thanks for always responding so quickly. I am trying to load this paper into that paper roller I’m not sure I’ll be using it that much lol
Roll paper can be tricky if it's too stiff - however, despite the inconvenience, don't leave it in place for longer that you need, and watch to keep the feed rollers in the paper unit clean.
The roll feed is a nifty bit of design, but I do prefer the normal style where the roll is on a spindle. If you know the sizes you need, you can always cut from a roll, flatten the paper and use with a custom paper size setting as normal sheet paper.
Hello Keith.
Have you had the opportunity to compare one photograph printed on an Epson and another on a laser sublimation printer?
I don't like the laser sublimation printer because of the strong contrast in the color gradations.
And in the early 2000s, I also laminated photographs printed on an Epson inkjet printer. The lamination temperature changed the color, and during printing it was necessary to correct (distort) the color in order to ultimately obtain the real color under the film.
Try covering photographs from a sublimation inkjet printer with film. Will the droplets spread and change the overall color of the photo when exposed to the heat from lamination? Is it possible to make a correction in advance in order to ultimately get a normal photo in color?
I want to print my photos at home, but the experience of the past does not allow me to change myself.
Laminated preserves the photo for a long time and protects it. And at the same time, you can use thinner, matte paper, it costs less. (Google transletter).
Sorry - not a type of printer I've ever had for testing.
The only lamination I've ever done is cold, pressure based lamination at a local signmaking company.
@@KeithCooper Keith, you apparently didn’t understand me.
I did the lamination of photographs on a separate coating device. Are you currently printing photos for yourself on Epson? Or what do you use for printing at home, maybe take it to a photo studio?
@@KeithCooper How nice it is to receive a quick response. I'm currently studying microphotography with "Allan Walls Photography", and while I was chatting there you already responded. It's great Keith to get quick replies.
Problems of auto translation...
I don't use laser printers of any sort - never have done. I print for myself on ink-jet printers - Canon and Epson
The only lamination I've ever done is of my own prints, but carried out by a third party with a sufficienlty large roller unit. Pressure laminated, so no significant change of colour.
My favorite paper is MOAB baryta but I would like to have a cheaper option when I need to print something more budget friendly. Do you know if any "budget" baryta like paper is available?
Yes, several, BUT if that's your favourite, then you're likely in the US? - That means I've no idea what it's actually like and most (UK) papers I test are not available in the US.
@@KeithCooper I'm in Italy :-)
Ah - probably not available there either ;-)
- of ones I look at, Innova have perhaps the widest distribution
Thank you for this clear explaination.
As i am french, even if i am not bad with english, can you please write the names of the 4 basic papers you mention at 5:55 ?
I did not completely understand their names.
Thanks - my personal choices are lustre, baryta and two matte cotton rag papers, bright white and natural white
See also the article:
www.northlight-images.co.uk/choosing-the-best-paper-for-your-photo-prints/
@@KeithCooper thank you for your quick answer
Hi Keith, does the paper matter matter if you actually frame your photograph behind a glass?
Yes - the contrast ratio and tonality of papers still shows through.
A glazed frame does change things somewhat - that also depends on the way its lit.
Hi -- my et-8550 started printing vertical dark lines about every inch from top to bottom. I searched for a reference from you on it but did not find anything - just wondering if you have any ideas? (I cleaned the heads and did alignment). thank you!
Never mind !!
Check the printer connection [try USB for example]
Re-install the driver
Lot's of possible things - I've never seen it happen though.
What lens are you using for this video? TIA
Do you mean to shoot the video? It's an Olympus Zuiko 24mm f/2.8 - using an OM->EF and EF->RF adapters on an EOS RP
@@KeithCooper thanks
Pls idk what paper to use for my epson 900
Whatever you like for your images - start with basic photo papers
Which one Keith, given best photos and reasonable price device?
No easy answer - see replies to your similar question elsewhere... ;-)
@@KeithCooper I can't find which one to look for, I would appreciate it if you could post the link, thanks
The answer is always "It depends"
I never ever answer this question, not in nearly 20 years of writing reviews.
If you ask me what printer I'd like, it's still an Epson P20000, even if it is too big to fit in my house...
Best I've tested recently, the P7500
As to "reasonable price" - whatever it might mean to me, is meaningless to anyone else...
How much $ in ink have you spent for this and your other great videos over the years? $10,000.00? ... more?
Ah, no idea really - I don't keep any track of ink usage.
Of course you need to remember that most printers are on loan from manufacturers. I've been doing large printer reviews since 2009, so if you go back far enough, then quite a few litres of ink have gone through printers here.
Note that the videos only cover very recent printers since last summer - all my main reviews and testing over the years are mainly done for my written articles/reviews, the videos tend to be produced as overviews and supplement the main reviews.
Yes a lot of ink :-)
@@KeithCooper 👍 Thanks!