please provide insight into the various ink jet papers when printing digital images? is one brand of paper as good as another? should one use the same brand papers as the ink jet, ie., (epson)? is it a matter of personal choice, cost, usage or is there a definite difference between brands? as in traditional bw darkroom papers, there is a difference amongst the various papers. one should standardize i presume and consistantly use one brand or type of paper. who amonst you have experimented in various papers and what is your conclusions? is there a majority feeling out there as to what papers provides the "most" or which papers "give" more? your comments and thoughts would be appreciated as i will be purchasing an epson ink jet color ex printer for photo purposes. raymond a. bleesz

-- raymond a. bleesz (bleesz@vail.net), November 12, 1998

Answers

Raymond, I am a graphic designer in the Napa Valley, California that owns an Epson Stylus Photo EX. You are making an EXCELLENT choice. I use a Macintosh system with ColorSync2 and get proof quality results.

I highly recommend getting the optional PostScript RIP if you use page layout applications or programs that use imported graphics. This RIP is specially tweeked for the Epson Stylus Photo series. (If you do go for the RIP make sure to ask for the upgraded PSPrinter driver [its free]. It allows you to take advantage, in the PSPrinter driver, of the large format the EX can deliver.)

The Epson papers seem to provide the best results, period. Other paper makers though (Hammermill, Kodak, HP, etc.) are good. Epson is very competitive on price. Beware of papers, in the same paper type, that are significantly lower in price, you do get what you pay for. There are many different types of Epson paper of course and the one-stop source to best answer your questions can be found by contacting the Epson Accesories Hotline and asking for their Accessories & Supplies Catalog and/or visit their website epsonsupplies.com.

The Supplies Catalog is very detailed on the papers (weight, opacity, absorbency, ISO Brightness, and pH) as well as a general descriptor of the intended purpose.

The following applies to Epson papers, but the names are similar with other paper distributors. Prices are for 8.5" x 11" size paper. NOTE:There are many paper sizes available. To take full advantage of the large format the EX offers get the ledger size paper (13" x 19") in these categories and have the local print shop cut it to 11.75" x 19" so it fits the EXs carriage. This size allows you to print full bleed tabloid size (11" x 17").

The paper categories are basically:

 Premium inkjet paper - dont bother for any type of photo work

 matte coated (cheapest coated paper, good for draft work.) -Photo Quality Inkjet Paper $14.95/100 sheets -High Quality Inkjet Paper $12.95/100 sheets (of the two I use the HQ paper; results are similar, cheaper. The HQ paper also makes for outstanding Laser Printer paper.)

 glossy (more expensive; great reproduction) -Photo Quality Glossy Paper $12.95/20 sheets -Photo Paper $13.99/20 sheets (finish is similar to Glossy Paper but heftier weight)  glossy film (most expensive; best results) Photo Quality Glossy Film $31.99/15 sheets (Paper weight approximately midway between Glossy Paper and Photo Paper. While the Glossy Film is tops it is more than twice as expensive as the Glossy Paper or Photo Paper and the results are about 25% better, not 200% better.)

For photo reproduction the Photo Paper, in terms of paper weight and appeareance, is the closest to a real photograph.

Epson also has a variety of other specialty papers and films. One of them Epson Inkjet Back Light Film is next on my order list. It seems to be similar to a DuraTrans in weight and appearance.

As with any tool it takes a bit of experimenting to get the best results. But after a day of trials I found the right settings for almost every occasion. I love this printer  and so do my clients.

Jim Scott St. Helena, California

-- Jim Scott (wgd@napanet.net), November 15, 1998.

Raymond, Whoops! I forgot to give you the Epson Accessories Hotline number: 800-873-7766. You will also find this number in your owners manual.

-- Jim Scott (wgd@napanet.net), November 15, 1998.

For high quality inks and archival papers, try www.tssphoto.com/sp/dg/. They have a large selection, and offer free advice. Personally, I think the Somerset Enhanced Photo paper looks like a winner (they have comparison images).

-- Dale R Dankulich (dalerd01@earthlink.net), October 11, 1999.