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Which Inkjet Photo Papers are best?

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Rogue Vorlon

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Nov 17, 2002, 8:26:27 PM11/17/02
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Everybody has them these days, so has anyone done a comparison of the
various ink jet photo papers?

Is Royal any good?


Arthur Small

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Nov 18, 2002, 11:03:53 AM11/18/02
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There is no best. It depends on the printer. There are papers made for
specific ink jet printers, some generic paper works well.


Rogue Vorlon

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Nov 18, 2002, 1:51:18 PM11/18/02
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Thanks for responding!

Sams Club sell a really cheap (Royal) brand that is almost 3 times the
quantity compared to Kodak or Epson. I suppose I will try it and see. I have
had good results thus far with Epson papers.

Thanks again,

RV


"Arthur Small" <asm...@nycap.rr.com> wrote in message
news:Jb8C9.140795$c51.41...@twister.nyroc.rr.com...

Robert Kozubal

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Nov 18, 2002, 8:30:01 PM11/18/02
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I'd be interested in the results. I'm actually in the middle of
collecting samples of different inkjet papers & testing them on my Epson
785EPX printer. So far I've tried HP (premium plus), Kodak (premium),
Epson (premium) & Office Max brands. As expected, the print on the
Epson paper looks excellent. The Office Max brand is a very close
second. Both the Kodak & the HP papers looked horrible with excess
mottling and flesh tones that were too pink.

Judging by my very limited one photo test, I wouldn't have any problem
purchasing the Office Max Brand photo paper in the future.

Bob

P.S. If anyone has any recommendations on Generic Inks for Epson
printers, I'd be interested to hear about them.

In article <GEaC9.26123$Ru1.1...@news1.east.cox.net>,

wally

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Nov 18, 2002, 9:16:57 PM11/18/02
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In article <bobkozubal-87FE9...@netnews.attbi.com>, Robert Kozubal <bobko...@mac.com> wrote:
>I'd be interested in the results. I'm actually in the middle of
>collecting samples of different inkjet papers & testing them on my Epson
>785EPX printer. So far I've tried HP (premium plus), Kodak (premium),
>Epson (premium) & Office Max brands. As expected, the print on the
>Epson paper looks excellent. The Office Max brand is a very close
>second. Both the Kodak & the HP papers looked horrible with excess
>mottling and flesh tones that were too pink.
>
The Kodak papers can be made to give good results on Epson printers but you
need to check Kodak's website www.kodak.com/go/inkjet for settings that'll get
you close. Many of these are not what one might guess -- who'd think "plain
paper" was what to use on my 2200. You still will have to tweak things to get
the color balance you like.

I stick with the Epson papers because I like their look best on my 2200. But
on my old original 6-color circa 1996 HP photosmart and my wife's Epson stylus
870 photo I ended up liking Kodak Premium Picture Paper best. YMMV

--wally.

Barrett Benton

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Nov 19, 2002, 6:01:30 PM11/19/02
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In article <bobkozubal-87FE9...@netnews.attbi.com>, Robert
Kozubal <bobko...@mac.com> wrote:

> I'd be interested in the results. I'm actually in the middle of
> collecting samples of different inkjet papers & testing them on my Epson
> 785EPX printer. So far I've tried HP (premium plus), Kodak (premium),
> Epson (premium) & Office Max brands. As expected, the print on the
> Epson paper looks excellent. The Office Max brand is a very close
> second. Both the Kodak & the HP papers looked horrible with excess
> mottling and flesh tones that were too pink.
>
> Judging by my very limited one photo test, I wouldn't have any problem
> purchasing the Office Max Brand photo paper in the future.
>

Given the vagaries of various inkjet papers (and continuing controversy
over even short-term longevity of some papers, let alone long-term
stability), it's best to stick to names you know. For color work with
Epson's own inks, my favorite Epson paper by far is their Premium
Semi-Gloss; for black-and-white, it's Epson Archival Matte. And there are
many, many more good papers out there, but I'd steer *very* clear of
"house brand" papers such as Office Max and the like.



> P.S. If anyone has any recommendations on Generic Inks for Epson
> printers, I'd be interested to hear about them.

See above. Same deal as with paper.

--
BWB
_______________________
Impatience is virtual

Robert Kozubal

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Nov 19, 2002, 9:01:51 PM11/19/02
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Oops! I just realized that I confused the name of the "generic" paper
that I mentioned in my post (see below). I tested Office Depot brand,
not Office Max. Sorry about that.

Bob

In article <bobkozubal-87FE9...@netnews.attbi.com>,
Robert Kozubal <bobko...@mac.com> wrote:

Graphic

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Nov 19, 2002, 11:20:33 PM11/19/02
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re: Kodak paper in my Epson photo 820

Not only are the colors "mottled" looking, but the prints do not resolve as
much detail as the Epson glossy paper...the ink apparently "runs" somewhat
on the Kodak paper, smearing the details and ruining resolution...avoid this
paper with Epson inks....


"Robert Kozubal" <bobko...@mac.com> wrote in message
news:bobkozubal-87FE9...@netnews.attbi.com...

Ron Baird

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Nov 20, 2002, 10:50:30 AM11/20/02
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Greetings Rogue,

Saw your post and thought I would note that the use of Kodak OneTouch
significantly improves image quality with Kodak Premium or Ultra papers.
You can review this features by going to http://www.kodak.com/go/inkjet
The program is the result of Kodaks concern about your results and their
efforts of examining just about all the current printers that are available.
Experimentation is done on the printers to get them to yield excellent
results.

When you download and install the EasyShare software from Kodak the One
Touch feature is included. It auto adjusts your printer driver for optimum
results. If you do not use it, the settings remain as you had them. Works
very well.

Talk to you soon.

Ron Baird
Kodak


"Rogue Vorlon" <Rogue_Vorl...@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote in message
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Todd Cary

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Nov 20, 2002, 11:19:05 AM11/20/02
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I am new to digital image printing, so I am curious about Ink/Paper matches.  My printer is a HP 7150 using HP's 6 color cartridges.  In my paper draw, I have two papers: Kodak Premium Inkjet paper and Epson's Preium paper I purchased at Costco (I lost the identification of the paper and it is in a plain plastic wrapper).

When I use the Kodak paper and let light glance off of the surface, the ink is raised in places whereas the Epson does not do this.  Is this significant?

Is there any research on how long the HP 57/58 inks will last on the above papers?

Are these inks water soluble or not?

Trying to learn this new art form..........

Todd

Clyde Davidson

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Nov 20, 2002, 12:46:13 PM11/20/02
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I like the Ilford and LumiJet papers on my Epson 780. (Epson papers
too.) Getting the right ColorSync setting on my Mac was important
though. Otherwise, Ilford papers turn pretty magenta/red. I use
ColorMatch RGB that seems to work well.

Clyde

Todd Cary

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Nov 20, 2002, 5:54:34 PM11/20/02
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I just downloaded the Kodak program and the prints are the best I have
had using Kodak paper. Is it possible to put the correct values into my
HP driver to duplicate the results - in other words, print directly from
PhotoShop?

Todd

Rick Warner wrote:

>With any of the papers did you set the printer driver to custom settings
>and use the paper manufacturer's suggestions for that paper/printer
>combo? I find that with the settings for the Kodak paper from their
>website that the results are spectacular.
>
>- rick -
>
>
>
>
>
>

Robert Kozubal

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Nov 21, 2002, 6:21:13 PM11/21/02
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With the Epson papers, I chose the "Premium Glossy Photo Paper" setting
for the paper & the Epson Natural Color setting for the ink. For the
Kodak paper, I followed the suggestions for my printer on the Kodak
website. I couldn't find any info for the Office Depot & HP papers, so I
used the same settings that I used for the Epson paper.

What type of printer are you using?

Bob

In article <1103_10...@news.earthlink.net>,

TeeJay

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Nov 26, 2002, 8:36:36 AM11/26/02
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There is a good article on this subject in the November 2002 issue of PC
World. You can view it online at
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,105461,00.asp.


Kris Kadela

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Nov 26, 2002, 9:29:38 AM11/26/02
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"TeeJay" <tjh...@aya.yale.edu> wrote in message
news:ENKE9.165804$gB.34...@twister.nyc.rr.com...

> There is a good article on this subject in the November 2002 issue of PC
> World. You can view it online at
> http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,105461,00.asp.
>
>

And as usual their "tests" don't include the very popular OD photo paper.
Everyone knows that Staples brand photo paper sucks. Also, their
"predictions" are even more optimistic than the printer manufacturer's. I
just don't give any credibility to these "expert" opinions and did my own
testing for my conditions.


Jim V

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Dec 6, 2002, 1:54:13 PM12/6/02
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Robert Kozubal <bobko...@mac.com> wrote in message news:<bobkozubal-80132...@netnews.attbi.com>...
> >I have 2 Epson printers and I use Jet Photo Glossy paper I get at Wal Mart,
runs about 25c a sheet - great results. I also use great price 3rd
party ink cartridges from:

http://www.showtelinc.com/PrintPal.htm


Jim Venner
See what I am Saying?
http://www.pbase.com/jimven/galleries

some dude

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Dec 10, 2002, 9:51:55 AM12/10/02
to
Sorry to crosspost but in case it wasn't mentioned:


Pictorico Pro High Gloss White Film is pretty much considered the
highest quality Inkjet paper on the market (but shut my mouth if you
know better). It isn't cheap, but you get what you pay for.

http://www.pictorico.com/Secure/eCommerce/Catalog.asp?prdc=8

I've used it for gallery installations several times and when I came
to pull the prints down they looked as good as day one (and were in
the sun too with non-uv glass; but I digress, thats more about the
ink).


Adorama probably has it for the cheapest but check www.mallagent.com
for verification.

It works with both my Epson 3000 and my HP 1220c so I'm sure it'll
work fine on most inkjet printers.

Cheers,
-sd

p.s. Also that very thick Kodak Photo Paper is quite good too and a
lot less. Can be had at Office Depot, Staples, etc.

jean walker

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Jan 25, 2003, 11:28:38 PM1/25/03
to
To all the people that replied to this question who use an Epson printer.
Are you printing the output of a digital camera or from a scanner?
In my somewhat limited experience, there is a considerable difference. I
have had no problem printing digital photos on an Epson 785 using either
Epson or Office Depot paper. (rotten results with Staples). But I have had
to go through hoops to get good results from scanned prints or negatives. It
took a lot reading on colour management and a whole cartridge of ink to
reliably rid my prints of a magenta cast on one type of paper. If any knows
any short cuts please tell me, as I believe that I will have to partially
repeat the process to move from the Epson 4x6 photo paper to 8/5 x11 premium
glossy.
Jean Walker
"Clyde Davidson" <lugh-...@attbi.com> wrote in message
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Michael A. Covington

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Jan 26, 2003, 1:47:02 AM1/26/03
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"jean walker" <jeanw...@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:WtJY9.111108$ej1....@news02.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...

> To all the people that replied to this question who use an Epson printer.
> Are you printing the output of a digital camera or from a scanner?
> In my somewhat limited experience, there is a considerable difference. I
> have had no problem printing digital photos on an Epson 785 using either
> Epson or Office Depot paper. (rotten results with Staples). But I have had
> to go through hoops to get good results from scanned prints or negatives.
It
> took a lot reading on colour management and a whole cartridge of ink to
> reliably rid my prints of a magenta cast on one type of paper. If any
knows
> any short cuts please tell me, as I believe that I will have to partially
> repeat the process to move from the Epson 4x6 photo paper to 8/5 x11
premium
> glossy.

Convert your digital images (in Photoshop) to CMYK instead of RGB before
printing. That cleans up a lot of gamut problems.


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