Panoramic Prints‚ Finally

While Epson’s1270and2000Pprinters are capable of 13" X 44" panoramic format prints there hasn’t been a high-quality paper available that did justice to this capability. Now there is‚Premium Luster Photo Paper. 

I do a great deal of panoramic or wide-format photography, usingFuji 617,Noblex 150UandHasselblad XPancameras. Till now when I’ve wanted to make large, appropriate format prints, I’ve had to haveLightJet 5000prints made by a custom lab. Now thatPremium Luster(PLPPfrom now on) roll paper is available I can make 13" X 30" or so prints from these cameras with the same relatively low cost and ease that I’ve come to associate with theEpson 1270and2000P.

PLPPis very similar to Epson’s newPremium Semi-Gloss. It is of similar thickness and weight and likeSemiglossit has an RC base. While it looks similar, it prints somewhat differently. It seems a bit "shinier" and to have a bit more "tooth" or texture. Neither characteristic is really objectionable but I prefer the look ofSemigloss. 

The product number isSO41409and it is a roll 13" wide by 33 feet long. It should be used with a roll paper adaptor (which is an option on the1270and comes standard with the2000P). But, if you don’t have one of these it isn’t a big deal. Just cut the length that you need and make sure that it doesn’t buckle or warp as it’s being fed into the printer. In fact neither the1270nor the2000Preally has appropriate paper handling capability (they are unable to move paper forward and backward in discrete increments) so paper handling is a kludge in any event.

Paper handling is a problem with or without the roll paper adaptor. The paper has a curl that goes against the loading preference of these printers. Thus, it’s a futze job getting the paper to feed properly.

One final note. The package indicates that the paper is designated for the2000P, but it works just fine on the1270as well. Just use theSemiglossorGlossy Papersetting.

If you print large panoramics you really need to try a roll ofPLPP. Recommended.