Epson Velvet Fine Art

[Tim Gray]

Thinking of trying out Epson Velvet Fine Art paper - normally use enhanced matte.  My question is - (using the Epson 4000) can I load this (8.5 x 11 and 13x19) from the cassette or do I have to go in from the back with a single sheet?

Thanks.

[Dale_Cotton]

Single sheet feed only. It seems to be built into the paper configuration to reject loading from the paper tray when you select VFA as your media type. I feed it from the front.

I suppose one could fool the 4000 by creating a custom paper type with a thickness of 0.4mm instead of 0.5mm.

Yes, it's a nice paper, but does have a more textured surface than most cotton rag papers. It's also whiter than the standard cotton rag cream, more like Watercolor - Radiant White or Hahnemuhle Photo Rag. Truly the EEM coating on Somerset Velvet stock.

[Kirk Gittings]

I tried it as Dale mentioned. It worked sporadically. Part of it seemed to be that VFA (my favorite paper by the way) has a fair amount of dust on it which clogs up something like the suction cups? So you have to blow off the paper first. Its been awhile since I tried it. It did work on the whole.

[BlasR]

Tim,
your better off  doing it from the back.
paper is just alright nothing special.Good luck.

BlasR

[Tim Gray]

Tim,
your better off  doing it from the back.
paper is just alright nothing special.Good luck.

BlasR
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Looks nice...  I couldn't get it loading from the "front" so tried the "top" which seems to work although not straight every now and then.  From the "back" I havent tried, the printer is on a stand on castors so I could get to the back, but it would be a pain.  

What's you preferred matt paper?

[Kirk Gittings]

Just some random thoughts on these issues:

Velvet Fine Art has the highest D-max of any mat paper available (it is the same paper but not the same coating as Somerset Velvet (test them side by side with or without a densitometer, it is obvious). Crane Museo Max is second for d-max (a paper I helped beta test). The Hanemule papers have a relatively low d-max. If you mix traditional silver prints with archival pigment ink in exhibits, as I do, D-max is very important. otherwise not quite so much. Tonality wise Enhanced mat is a good proofing paper for both.

I load 13x19 Velvet Fine Art from the front (not the tray) of a 4000 2 or 3 times a week and have for a couple of years. Line up the paper (pushed over to the right) with the front top edge of the front of the printer. It works fine.

For larger prints I use the CMM. It has very similar characteristics as Velvet, but on a warmer base and less texture (under glass the texture all but goes away anyway). CMM is warmer because it has no optical brighteners at all. It is the whitest paper you can get without optical brighteners. Any paper whiter will yellow in a relatively short time anyway if exposed to light, because OB's yellow.