Luminous Landscape Forum

Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Printing: Printers, Papers and Inks => Topic started by: deliberate1 on June 25, 2018, 10:23:02 am

Title: Need durable smooth finish glossy paper
Post by: deliberate1 on June 25, 2018, 10:23:02 am

Friends,
I am looking for suggestions for a smooth (no tooth), semi-gloss, coated  paper that can make its way through a printer without scratching.
To prepare for an upcoming show, I purchased some Hanhemuhle Gloss Baryta - both roll and sheet, all for the first time. To be sure, it has precisely the finish I am looking for, and makes very elegant prints. But virtually every print off the roll that comes out of my Epson 7800 has scratches from the printing process that make the prints unsalable. I have tried everything I know to adjust the printer - wide platen gap, covering the back of the printer where the roll tends to hit when it spools. But nothing helps. The scratches are straight and swirly and vary in depth. Some take the ink off and some are more subtle and show only in oblique light. I have tried cutting sheets and flattening without success. I even tried ironing the paper, as suggested by a Lula member. Did not help - just killed the paper (got a bit of morbid satisfaction from that). It just seems that this paper has the worst combination of attributes - extremely stiff, excessive curl and a fragile surface. I have never encountered anything like this with other similar papers. The sheets fare a bit better because there is no curl. But even some of them come through with disqualifying scratches.
So I am searching for a similar paper that is not so prone to scratching in the printing process. If I have to go to a paper that has a tooth, so be it. Anyone have any experience with other Hahnemuhle or other papers of that ilk that are coated but are not destroyed in the printing process.
Obliged for the suggestions.
David

Title: Re: Need durable smooth finish glossy paper
Post by: I.T. Supplies on June 27, 2018, 12:29:36 pm

Hi David,

This seems weird that the paper is giving you issues like that.  I don't know the media types available on the x800 series since it's before I started working at the company, but you want to choose the closest option to the paper itself (thickness and finish).  If it's using the wrong black, it may not stick properly (example of matte black on a gloss"ish" paper).

However, maybe check with Hahnemuhle's tech directly as they may be able to help you upfront.
815-502-5880

Title: Re: Need durable smooth finish glossy paper
Post by: deliberate1 on June 27, 2018, 10:23:59 pm

Thanks for your reply. I am using the PK ink,which is correct for this paper.
Appreciate the tel number. I will give Hahn a call.
Best,
David

Title: Re: Need durable smooth finish glossy paper
Post by: mearussi on June 27, 2018, 11:58:10 pm

The smoothest surface I've ever seen from any paper is from polyester backed "paper." I printed a lot of the Ilford (when it was available) on my 4800 without any surface scratches. The Ilford has been discontinued but there are several other brands (which I haven't tried).

Here's one:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Pictorico%20PRO%20Hi-Gloss%20White%20Film&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

Title: Re: Need durable smooth finish glossy paper
Post by: deliberate1 on June 28, 2018, 08:53:24 pm

Thanks for that memory jog. I remember this media from some time ago but never tried it. Definitely will put it on my dance card.
David