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Photo paper for HP inkjet?

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Adam

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Aug 9, 2011, 12:41:27 PM8/9/11
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Hi everyone! Would anyone have any suggestions for (very) glossy
8.5"x11" photo paper for an HP inkjet? Here are the details:

I'm now using an HP OfficeJet 4315v, HP OEM ink (21/27, 22 carts)
for the photos, and want to print out some of my photos to hang on
my wall (11"x14" mat with 8"x10" window, behind glass). These don't
have to be archival, waterproof, or anything like that, just
nice-looking prints with bold colors that won't fade or change much
for at least 4 or 5 years (they're not in direct sunlight). I've
scanned them in from slides and negatives and used my graphics
program to adjust them so they now look nice, at least on my CRT
monitor.

My question, as you may have gathered, is about which glossy photo
paper to use. What I have on hand is Staples brand Photo Supreme
Matte ("free after rebate"), and prints on that come out looking
close enough to the image on my screen, although of course they're
matte, not glossy. The only glossy paper I have on hand is Canon
Photo Paper Plus Glossy II (bought back when I was using a Canon
inkjet), and I'm not very happy with the results on that. The
prints on that come out considerably darker than what I see on my
monitor, and also the colors aren't, well, as dynamic or bold or
eyecatching or "leap off the page" (can't think of the technical
term, sorry!) as I'd like them to be. (I don't recall having those
problems back when the Canon inkjet worked, using Canon OEM ink.)

Can anyone suggest a glossy (preferably very glossy) 8.5"x11" inkjet
photo paper that would come closer to what I'm looking for? As
mentioned, I'm using HP OEM ink for the photos (and using it pretty
fast, too!), and I'm in the USA. The most convenient source for me
would be my local Staples store (also I get store credit there for
used ink cartridges), which carries, among other things, several
types of their own paper and of HP paper. However, if there's
something significantly better I'm willing to order online from
NewEgg or B&H or some place like that. Cost is somewhat of a
consideration; I'd prefer under US $0.50 per sheet for a package of
20-50 sheets, although that's not an absolute requirement.

Any recommendations from anyone would be greatly appreciated! I'm
sorry if I was too wordy, but I figured that too much information
would be better than not enough. Thanks, everyone!

Adam
--
Email: adam seven zero seven AT verizon DOT net

Lon

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Aug 9, 2011, 2:32:25 PM8/9/11
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On 8/9/2011 10:41, Adam wrote:
> Hi everyone! Would anyone have any suggestions for (very) glossy
> 8.5"x11" photo paper for an HP inkjet? Here are the details:
>

Try the HP Premium Glossy Paper. In My Non-Humble Opinion, it works
better for both the HP and Canon printers.

Mort

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Aug 9, 2011, 2:40:26 PM8/9/11
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Hi,

I use H-P Premium Plus High Gloss paper, which by my own tests, gives
better colors and gradations than other brands, with my Photosmart 8250
printer. In addition, with H-P OEM inks, the prints are said to last
many years. Regarding cost, I usually purchase a nice supply when
Staples has a sale, often = buy one and get one free. In terms of the
cost of the camera, the SD cards and the inks, I find paper costs to be
of minor importance.

If you need convincing, why don't you buy a 10-pack of various brands of
paper, run prints, and do a "blind" comparison, with the paper name
written on the back? May the best paper win.

Good luck.

Mort Linder

Adam

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Aug 10, 2011, 7:08:06 PM8/10/11
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Mort wrote:
> If you need convincing, why don't you buy a 10-pack of various
> brands of paper, run prints, and do a "blind" comparison, with the
> paper name written on the back? May the best paper win.

That sounds like a very good idea, if I can find enough brands and
types that have 10-packs.

Thanks very much to both Lon and Mort for your recommendations!

Adam

Lon

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Aug 11, 2011, 8:13:57 PM8/11/11
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In addition to computer/office supply stores, try local photo supply
stores that carry papers from traditional photo companies. The resin
faced white papers may work for you.

Still, I haven't seen anything that has a brighter surface and can
handle more ink saturation than the HP stuff.

David H. Lipman

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Aug 11, 2011, 8:36:13 PM8/11/11
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From: "Lon" <lon.s...@comcast.net>

Especially with HP ink.


--
Dave
Multi-AV Scanning Tool - http://multi-av.thespykiller.co.uk
http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/dl/35905.asp


Adam

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Aug 12, 2011, 12:43:18 PM8/12/11
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David H. Lipman wrote:
> From: "Lon"<lon.s...@comcast.net>

>> Still, I haven't seen anything that has a brighter surface and can handle more ink
>> saturation than the HP stuff.
>
> Especially with HP ink.

Thanks, Lon and David! There seems to be complete agreement (well,
3 out of 3) that the HP Premium and Premium Plus give the best
results with HP ink. I'm using HP ink for the photos, and refilled
cartridges for the less important stuff.

By a fortunate coincidence, next week 8/14-8/20, Staples (or at
least the ones in my area) has "buy 1, get 1 free" for all HP photo
and presentation paper, so I'm going to buy at least 1 pack of both
Premium and Premium Plus Monday morning. I'll probably get my next
ink recycling rewards during the week, so I can go back later in the
week and get more of whichever I like better.

Related question for anybody: How important is the Krylon spray if
these photos are going to be mounted behind a mat under glass (i.e.
the photo isn't touching the glass)?

Adam

David H. Lipman

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Aug 12, 2011, 1:40:48 PM8/12/11
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From: "Adam" <ad...@address.invalid>

I don't think it is a problem. However, I have found that HP ink fades under UV so the
Krylon UV clear acrylic may help under that condition.

Adam

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Aug 12, 2011, 5:08:52 PM8/12/11
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David H. Lipman wrote:
> From: "Adam"<ad...@address.invalid>

>> Related question for anybody: How important is the Krylon spray if these photos are
>> going to be mounted behind a mat under glass (i.e. the photo isn't touching the glass)?
>
> I don't think it is a problem. However, I have found that HP ink fades under UV so the
> Krylon UV clear acrylic may help under that condition.

Thanks for the suggestion, David! I'll pick up a can at a craft
store tomorrow. One chain charges US$8 for an 11 oz. can ("covers
15-20 square feet). What I might do is use it on /most/ of the
prints on each make of paper, and see what happens in a few years.
(Now that I've taken care of the Verizon PWS problem. <g>)

Adam

Tal...@notreal.com

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Aug 13, 2011, 7:25:00 AM8/13/11
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Nothing works better or lasts longer with an HP printer than the HP
papers. I have used them all and for my HP printer, the HP paper
works best.

One thing you might want to do is to get a profile for your printer.
If your monitor is calibrated and the prints you get don't look like
what you see on your monitor, then you need to get a profile for your
printer. I use Cathy's Profiles http://www.cathysprofiles.com/ and
I've been happy with the results. Keep in mind that you will need a
profile for each type of paper that you use, but if you only use the
HP Premium Plus glossy paper, then you will only need one profile for
that paper.

As for the Krylon spray....well, I've tried sprays before and they
aren't that great. You have to play around with the density of the
coating, and if you spray a bit too much, the print will run.....just
like if you got it wet.

Talker

Adam

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Aug 13, 2011, 9:20:49 PM8/13/11
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Tal...@notreal.com wrote:
> On Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:41:27 -0400, Adam<ad...@address.invalid> wrote:
>
>> Hi everyone! Would anyone have any suggestions for (very) glossy
>> 8.5"x11" photo paper for an HP inkjet? Here are the details:
[snip]

> Nothing works better or lasts longer with an HP printer than the HP
> papers. I have used them all and for my HP printer, the HP paper
> works best.

Thanks! Everyone who's replied has said that HP paper is the best
for HP printers with HP ink. (Not surprising!) Someone gave me a
(probably old) sheet of HP Premium Plus which I'll use to get some
idea of what one of my photos looks like on it, then I'm going to my
local Staples which by coincidence has (starting tomorrow 8/14 thru
Sat. 8/20) "Buy 1, get 1 free" on all HP photo paper.

> One thing you might want to do is to get a profile for your printer.

Good idea! I never thought of that -- probably because nobody ever
mentioned it to me before, not even the Graphic Design instructor.

> If your monitor is calibrated and the prints you get don't look like
> what you see on your monitor, then you need to get a profile for your
> printer. I use Cathy's Profiles http://www.cathysprofiles.com/ and
> I've been happy with the results. Keep in mind that you will need a
> profile for each type of paper that you use, but if you only use the
> HP Premium Plus glossy paper, then you will only need one profile for
> that paper.

Plus another profile for my "everyday" paper, right? I'm
/definitely/ adding that to my to-do list.

> As for the Krylon spray....well, I've tried sprays before and they
> aren't that great. You have to play around with the density of the
> coating, and if you spray a bit too much, the print will run.....just
> like if you got it wet.

I picked up a can today, and I think I'll try it on about two
photos, or maybe just half of each photo, so I can see what, if any
difference it makes, short- and long-term. All these are to frame
and hang on my own wall, so I can reprint "improved" versions of any
photo whenever I want to.

Thanks VERY much for your many helpful suggestions!

Adam

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