epson velvet vs somerset velvet

[awofinden]

After much testing between Hahnamule photo rag, Arches infinity smooth and epson velvet fine art papers I have now decided on Epson Velvet, great blacks, great profiles available from epson and a nice feeling paper. I was leaning toward arches but after I charged my printer with matte black ink the epson really shone. What's with Hahnemules profiles? Absolutely awful, unless the paper really is that bad. Anyway, to get to the point, I now find that epson velvet isn't available in rolls 44 inch wide. Only the somerset velvet paper is, whats the difference in them? I hear the dmax isnt as good, is this true? Also is the surface finish the same?

[usathyan]

After much testing between Hahnamule photo rag, Arches infinity smooth and epson velvet fine art papers I have now decided on Epson Velvet, great blacks, great profiles available from epson and a nice feeling paper. I was leaning toward arches but after I charged my printer with matte black ink the epson really shone. What's with Hahnemules profiles? Absolutely awful, unless the paper really is that bad. Anyway, to get to the point, I now find that epson velvet isn't available in rolls 44 inch wide. Only the somerset velvet paper is, whats the difference in them? I hear the dmax isnt as good, is this true? Also is the surface finish the same?
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Not being an Epson user - i dont have exact specifics. However, since somerset velvet is my favorite paper for portaits - i did come across a forum posting sometime ago that the Epson velvet and Somerset are the same paper base but Epson's velvet has a different coating - optimized for Epson printers...

If you use Epson - you will get better results with Epson velvet.

[awofinden]

Not being an Epson user - i dont have exact specifics. However, since somerset velvet is my favorite paper for portaits - i did come across a forum posting sometime ago that the Epson velvet and Somerset are the same paper base but Epson's velvet has a different coating - optimized for Epson printers...

If you use Epson - you will get better results with Epson velvet.
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Sorry, I should have said Epson somerset velvet.

[madmanchan]

Yes, essentially your gamut and d-max with Somerset Velvet won't be as good as when using Velvet Fine Art. That's the tradeoff, unfortunately.

[awofinden]

Yes, essentially your gamut and d-max with Somerset Velvet won't be as good as when using Velvet Fine Art. That's the tradeoff, unfortunately.
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Whats the up side? I don't understand why epson would do this.

[usathyan]

You heard the master speak (madmanchan) -

to answer your question - all printer manufacturers do this for business or other reasons.  

HP has similar thing - The HP Hahnemuhle Fine Art papers has a special coating that works well with only their printers.

[awofinden]

You heard the master speak (madmanchan) -

to answer your question - all printer manufacturers do this for business or other reasons. 

HP has similar thing - The HP Hahnemuhle Fine Art papers has a special coating that works well with only their printers.
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I dont mind that they make propriety coatings but why won't they make the great epson velvet in rolls?

[madmanchan]

From what I have heard, the problem is that the special coating that Epson uses on Velvet Fine Art doesn't work in rolls. That is, apparently the coating is delicate and breaks apart when putting together or using rolls; hence VFA being available only in sheet form.

[jecxz]

Question: After printing on the Somerset Velvet - do you roll the prints? Right now I am putting them in boxes or between matte/backer boards. This is tough with the 44" roll prints - what do you guys do? Can I roll the print or will it ruin the print? Thanks.

[awofinden]

What profile are people using for the somerset velvet paper, epson only has one for the 9600 will this work for the 9800?

[jecxz]

What profile are people using for the somerset velvet paper, epson only has one for the 9600 will this work for the 9800?
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I am using the driver that I downloaded from Epson's website for the 9800 and then EVFA; here's the link: [a href=\"http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/supDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&infoType=Downloads&oid=60322&prodoid=55197367&category=Products]http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support...tegory=Products[/url]

[pfigen]

I've been printing a lot on Epson Somerset Velvet and I absolutely love this paper. 44 inch rolls and the profiles I make are way better than the stock Epson profiles. Really beautiful stuff.

[awofinden]

I've been printing a lot on Epson Somerset Velvet and I absolutely love this paper. 44 inch rolls and the profiles I make are way better than the stock Epson profiles. Really beautiful stuff.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=132078\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I tried it and I find the surface texture a little too prominent and the ink sort of sits on it in what I find to be an unpleasant way, pity because I love the velvet fine art just not the somerset velvet. I'm going to try the ultra smooth fine art next. I just can't get a paper I'm fully happy with, if only they made velvet in rolls....

[Kirk Gittings]

My favorite mat paper is VFA. I understand the affection for it. I also understand the frustration with the size limitations. After testing everything out there I found Crane Museo Max to be the closest. Yes it has a warmer base and slightly less Dmax (I use K inks and ImagePrint), but it is comparable on a wall under glass and probably more archival. My larger prints on my shows in Chicago, Louisville, Milwaukee and Albuquerque this year are all printed on it. Try it.

[Geoff Wittig]

I tried it and I find the surface texture a little too prominent and the ink sort of sits on it in what I find to be an unpleasant way, pity because I love the velvet fine art just not the somerset velvet. I'm going to try the ultra smooth fine art next. I just can't get a paper I'm fully happy with, if only they made velvet in rolls....
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Ultrasmooth fine art is a lovely paper. The texture really is quite smooth, and the surface seems to resist scuffing a bit better than the various velvets & HPR. Its weight is quite luxurious, and Bill Atkinson's profile, at least for the 7600, is spot-on. D-max and shadow detail are its weakness, but for many images this doesn't matter too much.