Topic: Epson Signature Series Paper (Read 3458 times)

Alan Davis · « **on:** March 04, 2010, 07:56:41 am »

Who has tried the new Epson Hot Press and Cold Press papers?

I just tried the Cold Press Natural with my Epson 9900 and I have to tell you I was very impressed with the gamut and d-max.

I am a portrait photographer and have for years sold watercolor portraits but have never been completely satisfied with low key portaits on any watercolor paper I've tried until now! The medium key portraits were always good but the darker low key images were lacking in richness until I found this new Epson paper.

I've never printed a color portrait image on any matte watercolor paper that has this much saturated color and rich blacks.

I used the Epson supplied profile and Matte black ink on the 9900.

It seems that is not readily available everywhere. I had to do a lot of searching to find it finally at IT Supplies.

Just wanted to share my findings and curious if anyone else has tried it and does anyone know when rolls will be available?

Alan

jdoyle1713 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 04, 2010, 09:42:12 am »

Epson will be releasing Rolls on these and the Exhibition Fiber During Q2..

Its all in the pipeline its just a matter of stock .

Cheers
Jim Doyle
http://www.shadesofpaper.com

Ken · « **Reply #2 on:** March 04, 2010, 10:26:41 am »

Quote from: Alan Davis

I just tried the Cold Press Natural with my Epson 9900 and I have to tell you I was very impressed with the gamut and d-max.

Hi Alan -
Have you tried Hahnemühle Photo Rag 308? I've been using it for years because I haven't come across another watercolor-type paper with equal or more of the same attributes that you are looking for... color gamut, saturation and high D-max. I haven't tried the Epson Cold Press Natural. If you have tried the Photo Rag, how does it compare?

Alan Davis · « **Reply #3 on:** March 05, 2010, 08:44:18 am »

Quote from: Ken

Hi Alan -
Have you tried Hahnemühle Photo Rag 308? I've been using it for years because I haven't come across another watercolor-type paper with equal or more of the same attributes that you are looking for... color gamut, saturation and high D-max. I haven't tried the Epson Cold Press Natural. If you have tried the Photo Rag, how does it compare?

Ken,

I have used Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Bright White 310 quite a lot. It was my previous favorite matte watercolor paper but I really don't think it has the snap that the Epson Cold Press has.

I just ordered some of the Epson Hot Press to give it a try.

Alan

JimGoshorn · « **Reply #4 on:** March 05, 2010, 03:29:06 pm »

How textured is the Cold Press paper?

Jim

Alan Davis · « **Reply #5 on:** March 05, 2010, 08:29:45 pm »

Quote from: JimGoshorn

How textured is the Cold Press paper?

Jim

Jim,

Are you familiar with the Hahnemuhle papers? The Epson Cold Press is not nearly as textured as Torchon, more like the Wiliam Turner but a lot warmer. I really like it for color portraits. Has a nice warm look to it. Not so sure it would be choice for black and white. Haven't tried that yet.

Got some Epson Hot Press Natural in today and it has the same not so bright look but very smooth.

Alan

eleanorbrown · « **Reply #6 on:** March 05, 2010, 08:47:12 pm »

I did side by side comparisons of epson hot press bright and epson ultrasmooth and I think the hot press definitely has a deeper dmax. Eleanor

neile · « **Reply #7 on:** March 05, 2010, 10:50:42 pm »

Mark Dubovoy did a write up of them in December, 2009 for LL: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/...papers-09.shtml.

Neil

JimGoshorn · « **Reply #8 on:** March 06, 2010, 11:05:55 am »

Quote from: Alan Davis

Are you familiar with the Hahnemuhle papers? The Epson Cold Press is not nearly as textured as Torchon, more like the Wiliam Turner but a lot warmer. I really like it for color portraits. Has a nice warm look to it. Not so sure it would be choice for black and white. Haven't tried that yet.

Alan,

Have some samples of Turner here so I know what you're referring to. Was hoping for something closer to Museum Etching.

Thanks!

Jim

TylerB · « **Reply #9 on:** March 06, 2010, 11:48:00 am »

I too continue to look for alternatives to William Turner. It's amazing that the coatings Hahnemuhle developed many years ago continue to provide the highest dmax, gamut performance, and visual richness with only the occasional odd exception. So many of the most beautiful color and B&W prints I have seen or made here have been on William Turner, and then so often they come back damaged. I really need a viable alternative for those projects that will likely not be handled with the utmost of care when they leave the shop. The two textured Canson papers I have tested extensively, BFK and Montval, are close, and have more robust surfaces, but subjectively William Turner prints often edges them out with that extra something...
I'm looking forward to seeing these Epson offerings and hearing more user reports here. Also, of course, I'm wondering who actually makes the stuff...
Tyler
http://www.custom-digital.com/

Author Topic: Epson Signature Series Paper (Read 3458 times)