Looking for some paper recommendations, I just finished using a bunch of HP Pro Satin and was really impressed with the results. Prints came out fantastic. I would like to explore some alternatives, so any recommendations for similar satin like paper?

Thanks,

Dave

For my black and white warm toned images, I cannot be more happy than with Museo Silver Rag. Excellent fiber paper if you don't mind the warmer base color. I haven't been that happy with Ilford Gold Fiber Silk, as there is an objectionable feel to the paper for me. It just has a plasticky feel to it that I cannot get past. The printed image is nice, though.

I'll definitely have to check this out. Is this paper used with the gloss enhancer? I'm guessing that it is.

Thanks,

Dave

I am new to the HP Z series printer game, and in my experience all papers that use a photo black ink need the gloss enhacer. I have yet to find a situation where the gloss enhacer wasn't needed.

To me, the HP Professional Satin has the plastic feel Andy describes above. The prints usually emerge from my Z3200 with light surface scuffing as well. So while the HP Pro Satin prints are very nice wrt tones and dynamics, I don't care that much for it.

The PK papers I've liked best are:

Hahnemuhle Fine Art Baryta 325
Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Baryta
Harman FB Gloss Al

The MK papers I've liked best are:

Canson BFK Rives
Hahnemuhle William Turner & German Etching
Crane Museo Max

All these papers have a different look, surface texture, and file rendering.

John-

After John's wonderful post, I thought I would expand my own recommendations. Keep in mind that I do color consulting work for Moab by Legion Paper, so I tend to use their papers because I both like them and I get a good deal on them.

PK ink papers
Moab Colorado Fiber Satine 245 (for color and neutral b&w images)
Museo Silver Rag (for warm toned b&w images)
Moab Lasal Luster

MK ink papers
Moab Entrada Bright 300gsm
Moab Entrada Bright 190gsm
Somerset Photo Satin

I didn't realize how easy it is to obtain samples, I've got a number of PK papers on the way I'm still trying to find some images that I want to print as Matte. What type of images usually call for MK papers?

Great question, Dave. I use matte papers for situations when my customers hold my prints in their hands. I sell hand made portfolio boxes in both letter size and A3 size, and I prefer a cotton rag paper for this. If my prints are destined to be framed behind glass, I prefer to use a PK ink paper because of the richer colors and deeper blacks. It all boils down to what I want the emotional response of my images to be, and I use a paper to match.

Thanks for the response Andy. Any preferences for MK papers that you use?

Let's see. I use heavier (300gsm or heavier) matte papers when I know the prints will be held. 190gsm or other lighter weight when I am interested in making a book. I prefer smoother fine art papers, so Entrada is preferred over Somerset most of the time. I prefer a little more texture for portraits, and Somerset Photo Satin fits that bill.

While I don't print on the Z3200 (I have a Canon ipf5100), I had the same paper selection issues as the Dave. I quite like Ilford GFS, but only for prints framed behind glass. In the hand it just feels awful, and as Andy said, when you're doing folios that people will hold and feel the prints the paper texture makes a big difference.

For folios I print on Hahnemuhle FineArt Baryta. The paper texture is far less plastic-y than GFS, and the prints are beautiful. I've never really found a matte paper that I enjoy my images on, regardless of paper feel

Neil

The only thing about FA Baryta is there is a limited amount of OBA. For a slightly shinier surface on Rag and OBA free, try Hahnemuhle PhotoRag Baryta.