Printer paper reviews - too much data? a health warning

[@bhovis]

Another good video, Keith. I have been printing my photos casually for years, but several months ago I decided to get serious and learn how to make the best prints possible. Your channel and blog have helped me a great deal. I do have an engineering background but for choosing paper don’t find the data and diagrams you refer to nearly as helpful as a verbal description (with examples) by a knowledgeable printer.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - I'll be experimenting with those 3 papers to see if I can come up with a format which complements the written reviews.

[@pmcbMadeInIreland]

Thank you, always find your vids informative and cuts through the bs I see on other printer channels.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - I appreciate that! I just need to find ways of getting it more widely viewed ;-)

[@Megadad60]

Another good and informative video from you, Keith! Thank you!

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks!

[@ytuberization]

Looking forward to some video paper reviews in future! Could be extremely helpful…

[@KeithCooper]

A tricky thing to show on video - but I will be doing them to supplement the written ones.

[@dunnymonster]

I recently purchased a pack of Innova Fine Art Cold Press Rough textured 315g paper whilst visiting the Photography Show here in the UK. This is the first paper I've ever purchased from the company ( I tend to use Permajet, Canon, Epson and Ilford papers normally ). Got to say I had my doubts as to how suitable such a paper would work with my Canon Pro 100S given it has dye based inks. The packaging states it's good for both dye and pigment ink. I think it's generally accepted that Matt type papers and certainly Art textured papers perhaps wouldn't give particularly good results on a dye based printer. I used the downloadable ICC profile and used the " museum etching " paper setting. The results were amazing, well beyond my expectations. Sadly the printer imposes a 30mm border so 2:3 ratio images will print fairly small on A4 sized paper but the prints themselves looked beautiful. It's become my new favourite paper for pastel coloured images. I'll certainly look at Innova for further papers to try out in the future ☺️

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks for noting that. It may be 'generally accepted' by some, but I'm not one of them! ;-) My testing with the PRO-200 (no border problems!) showed just how well this sort of paper can work... I have quite a few innova paper reviews (BTW their paper appears under quite a few other labels too!)

[@green1mantle]

Yes another informative tutorial

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks!

[@DeannaLeaUnderTheSea]

Thank you for all your knowledge and expertise you have been sharing on this channel Keith. I was wondering, could you go into more detail on the things that you print to help you evaluate a paper or printer? I often see you surrounded by prints of standard test images. But do you also print a variety of other images to evaluate how a paper may suit (or not suit) that image?

[@KeithCooper]

See the explanations at www.northlight-images.co.uk/printer-test-images/ Video is very poor for some things (well for me it is) There are about 10 times as many written articles as videos! I will return to this with some of my paper testing.

[@DeannaLeaUnderTheSea]

@@KeithCooper Thanks Keith, I'll give it a read!

[@simonkeslake2782]

Excellent video and info. I have just bought my first printer, I went for it and decided on the Canon pro 300. At the moment I am looking to print my film negative scans, Tri X and Portra mainly. Could you advise on a good quality luster paper around 5x7 or A5? Canon don't seem to produce luster in these sizes.Thanks.

[@johnvaleanbaily246]

I have a 300. Wouldn't you print to US Letter/A4 (or whatever are the nearest size) and trim accordingly ?

[@KeithCooper]

I'd ask one of my local suppliers - here in Leicester I'd get some Pinnacle Lustre 300gsm www.paperspectrum.co.uk/pinnacle-premium-photo-lustre-paper-300gsm-4737-p.asp It's a paper I include in most of my printer reviews and have used for large commercial prints for several years

[@simonkeslake2782]

@@KeithCooper Perfect thank you, I will order some.

[@fredwestinghouse2945]

Which side to print on, on single sided papers? Glossy papers, should be obvious, either by sheen or by "wet finger" test. But with some matt papers, it is not that obvious. Are there tests that can be done to be 100% certain which is the printing side?

[@KeithCooper]

I start with keeping papers in the box/pack they came in - the side is often marked. The damp [not wet] finger test works of coated art papers too - takes more care but it's never let me down ;-)

[@eygloaradottir4044]

What was the name of the new smooth matte paper?

[@KeithCooper]

Innova Resin Coated Photo Premium Matte 230gsm innovaart.com/product/resin-coated-photo-premium-matte-260gsm-ifa-178/

[@thomaseriksson6256]

Good info, especially of to much data

[@KeithCooper]

Glad you liked it

[@johnvaleanbaily246]

Then surely Keith, to discover how my pictures look, I needs to purchase a variety of paper types and from various manufacturers to decide and review that look. What's best for my eye for landscapes, or desert vistas, or bright shiny aircraft at an airshow. My point being that all these visual scenarios would (probably) require different papers to display the subject at its best... yes, no ?

[@KeithCooper]

In a way yes, but most of the differences are quite subtle, hence my suggestion to start with 2-3 basic papers and thoroughly appreciate how they 'work'. The buying a few test packs approach is fine once you know what to look for. My worry is that too many people charge off trying all sorts of paper on some mission to find the perfect paper, which of course, even if it existed, they might not have the experience to spot or appreciate. One of my aims with paper reviews is to try and give a few pointers ... I have the benefit of not selling paper at all ;-)