need a similar fine art paper

[bellimages]

I purchased a couple rolls of Epson's Ultrasmooth Fine Art Paper. The stuff is NOT cheap. I love everything about it .... except .... it's very cream colored. I'm do not want a white paper, I just want something a little less creamy. Does anyone know of a paper that as good (quality, smooth surface, weight), but, less creamy colored? Oh, and the paper must be available in rolls.

[jdoyle1713]

I purchased a couple rolls of Epson's Ultrasmooth Fine Art Paper. The stuff is NOT cheap. I love everything about it .... except .... it's very cream colored. I'm do not want a white paper, I just want something a little less creamy. Does anyone know of a paper that as good (quality, smooth surface, weight), but, less creamy colored? Oh, and the paper must be available in rolls.

Well Paper is like Ice cream..Lots of Flavors.. Face off products ( You May Want to buy Sample Packs)
Innova Smooth Cotton
Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 308
Hahnemuhle Photo rag Ultrasmooth 305
Canson Rag Photographic
Museo Portfolio Rag

None of these fine art all cotton papers are inexpensive..But all have different white points..

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

[neile]

I did a search through my Inkjet Paper List and came up with a similar set to Jim. Here's what I've tried and listed as smooth, along with what I consider their base tone. Since you want "fine art" you can skip all the ones listed as High Gloss as they are RC papers. If you download the list you can also see what their price, weight, etc. is.

Canson, PhotoGloss Premium RC, Cool, High Gloss
Canson, Rag Photographique, Warm, Matte
Epson, Hot Press Bright, Cool, Matte
Epson, Hot Press Natural, Warm, Matte
Hahnemuhle, FineArt Photo Rag Ultra Smooth, Warm, Matte
Hahnemuhle, Natural Art Duo, Warm, Matte
Hahnemuhle, Photo Rag, Warm, Matte
Hahnemuhle, Photo Rag Ultra Smooth, Cool, Matte
Harman, Hi Matte Fiber Base, Cool, Matte
Harman, Warmtone Fiber Base Matte, Warm, Matte
Kirkland Signature, Glossy Inkjet Photo Paper, Cool, High Gloss
Lumijet, Ultra Gloss II, Cool, High Gloss
Lumijet, Matte Two Sides, Cool, Matte
Moab, Colorado Fibre Satine, Cool, Glossy
Moab, Lasal Photo Gloss, Cool, High Gloss
Moab, Lasal Photo Luster, Cool, Glossy
Moab, Lasal Photo Matte, Cool, Matte
Pictorico, Pro Hi-Gloss White Film, Cool, Glossy

Hope this helps,

Neil

[bellimages]

Where can I get my hands on samples of these papers (all except for the gloss RC papers)?

[neile]

Where can I get my hands on samples of these papers (all except for the gloss RC papers)?

They're all available in sample packs by the manufacturer. I got mine mostly from my local camera shop, but Jim @ www.shadesofpaper.com has some of them, as does Atlex.com.

Neil

[Randy Carone]

Thanks for the plug neile. We offer 5-sheet packs of 8½" x 11" for $9.95. You can mix-and-match the sheets to total 5 sheets. This is a good way to evaluate and print media without buying a full box.

[Michael H. Cothran]

I purchased a couple rolls of Epson's Ultrasmooth Fine Art Paper. The stuff is NOT cheap. I love everything about it .... except .... it's very cream colored. I'm do not want a white paper, I just want something a little less creamy. Does anyone know of a paper that as good (quality, smooth surface, weight), but, less creamy colored? Oh, and the paper must be available in rolls.

The reason the Ultrasmooth paper has a "cream-colored white" is because it has no Optical Brighteners.  OP's are what make your paper so white, but they do fade to yellow over time.
I'd suggest looking at other fine art papers that advertise no optical brighteners. Terms like Natural white and Warm white are usually good indicators that there is no optical brighteners used in the paper.
Furthermore, I doubt you'll find much differences in the whites of natural papers, but you may. I use the Ultrasmooth when I need to laminate a print (and you're right - it IS expensive!!), and Moab Natural White 300 for loose prints. I would use the Moab all the time, but it will not accept lamination. I forget about their warmness until I lay one down on a sheet of bright white paper.

Michael H. Cothran
Nashville, Tennessee