I ran some tests to find out the best Epson 3800 Media Type settings for Hahnemuhle PhotoRag 308 (the Hahnemuhle site offers a profile but no advice regarding which Media Type to select). As my previous printer was an Epson 2200, I had automatically selected ‘Watercolor–Radiant White’, which was the setting recommended by Hahnemuhle for that printer and the profile they offered for it. However, when I made my first prints on the 3800 with this setting I was very disappointed—the D-max was much lower than what I had been getting with the 2200. Hence the need for some tests. Here are my results:
Velvet Fine Art — This offers the greatest D-max.
Enhanced Matte — This yields results almost identical to the VFA setting. There might be a slightly lower D-max than with the VFA setting, but I can’t say for certain (I’m just eyeballing here).
Water Color – Radiant White — This yields a noticeably lower D-max than either the VFA or EM settings (and, hence, my initial disappointment with the 3800 and Hahn PhotoRag 308).
Ultra Smooth Fine Art — This yields results much like those with WC – RW. There might be a slightly lower D-max than with the WC – RW setting, but I can’t say for certain.
In each case I used the Hahn profile offered for PhotoRag 308 on the 3800 on their website, and rendered with perceptual intent, BPC off.
I have also compared a print made using the VFA setting on the 3800 with one I made on my 2200, and I have to say that I think the D-max is still slightly higher on the print from the 2200. It is, however, not a great difference, and the prints I’m getting from the 3800 with the VFA setting I regard as acceptable. Whether or not the D-max with the VFA setting on the 3800 can be increased by adjusting the Paper Configuration settings I don’t know. I’m out of Photo Rag now, and don’t want to restock at this time. If someone else would run some tests along these line I (and others, I’m sure) would greatly appreciate it.