How do you choose the correct inkjet paper?
You've figured out the digital camera you got for Christmas, and you got
a printer for your birthday, so it would seem a simple task to buy
paper. But perusing stores for inkjet paper is as bad as looking for
those stinkin' ink cartridges.
Natalie Caudill / DMN
Text and images create different effects depending on the paper
used. If you want crispness, go with glossy; for portraits, choose
a matte finish.
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Choosing the right inkjet paper depends largely on your preferences and
what outcome you desire. Images and text react differently to paper
surfaces. If you're turning out a photo card that contains text, you may
look at a different paper than you would for a signed, matted, framed
photo hanging on the wall.
There are three main types of papers:
• Glossy — These are papers that look and feel like a traditional
photograph. Some styles include glossy one-sided or two-sided paper,
semi-gloss and semi-matte paper. These papers range from the traditional
glossy print, which is slick to the touch with no texture, to a pearl or
luster finish that has a slight texture. Glossy paper is good if your
image is highly detailed and you want to keep it crisp. Any of these
papers should also produce text fairly well. So for postcards with small
text or holiday cards, this paper may be a good choice.
• Matte — The weights can range from thick — about the same as a
traditional photograph or even as thick as card stock — to as thin as
regular printer paper. They also come in one- and two-sided versions. A
traditional matte print won't have any gloss (light reflection) when
viewed. It also has a slightly textured, almost rough surface. Matte
paper is good for portraits because it has a slightly higher dot gain
(the spread of the ink when it hits the paper) that softens flaws in the
skin.
• Artistic papers — These can range from velum (a finely textured
surface that is slightly stiffer than drafting paper) to linen to canvas
to a velvetlike surface. I have found that these papers offer a wide
range of textures and styles that require trial and error to get the
desired outcome.
Detailed specs on the paper will list its qualities. Some mention D-max,
or the level of density that gets reproduced. Generally, glossy and most
matte papers will have a good D-max, but artistic papers vary. If the
specs state that the D-max (black) depth and color saturation are
excellent, you're fine. Otherwise, your outcome may have soft hues and a
flat density.
All prints are affected by how you tone your image and by the ink in
your printer. When printing an image, look for a good black and a good
white with a large range of colors or grays throughout the image. No one
color should overtake the photograph unless that is the desired effect.
Check the paper and printer recommendations for your choice of inks and
printers to see what will provide you with the optimum outcome.
Some other factors:
• Gsm, mil and lbs. — The gsm is technically defined as grams per square
meter (Grs/m²). This number is often linked to the paper mil, lbs. or
thickness of the paper. The most real-feeling photo papers are around
200 gsm with a thickness of over 8 mil. Every type of paper comes in a
variety of thicknesses. Use caution with thicker lb. paper.
I have found that my Epson i950 doesn't like to be overloaded by thick
paper. I am currently using a 66 lb. glossy photo paper, and the paper
feed has a tendency to get stuck when packed with more than 10 sheets.
So if you intend to load up your printer and leave, make sure the paper
weight is compatible with your printer. Each printer comes with a
recommendation of lb. weight for optimum use. My Epson recommends a 52
lb. paper but has handled 76 lb. with no adverse effects.
• Acid-free and archival — Acid-free refers to the amount of acid in the
pulp of the paper. If prepared properly, papers made from any fiber can
be acid-free as long as the pH is 7.0, which indicates neutral. Numbers
below 7 indicate increasing acidity. Archival paper usually means
acid-free.
If you are just starting out or want to expand your paper palette, I
suggest purchasing the Red River Complete Sample Kit from Red River
Paper. It contains over 30 papers (two each) with varying surfaces and
weights. The kit runs about $15 and is well worth the investment.
Red River also offers scored greeting cards, envelopes, inks and
printers. It is open to the public at a hard-to-find warehouse, so I
would start off on the Web at
www.redrivercatalog.com.
Another online site I use for reference is
www.inkjetart.com. It'll give you a comprehensive breakdown of inkjet
papers, complete with history about the creation of the paper.
Epson.com also is thorough with its papers. It even recommends the
type of paper to use in a photo album or under glass.
Just remember when choosing an inkjet paper to think about how you
intend to use the paper. From prints on your refrigerator to formal
wedding invitations, there is a huge range of inkjet paper that can
fulfill your needs.
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