Topic: Epson UltraSmooth alternative (Read 4582 times)

natas · « **on:** June 24, 2010, 09:27:15 am »

Hey guys,

I just finished off the last of my 24inch roll of Epson UltraSmooth. I am now looking for something that is smoother, and not as warm and has a high Dmax. Can anyone make a recommendation? This paper will be primarily used for color prints.

I really really like Epson's Hotpress, but as of right now they do not offer it in rolls.

mshowe · « **Reply #1 on:** June 24, 2010, 09:36:57 am »

you might consider this media ( http://www.atlex.com/premier/fine-art-smoo...ise-250-300.htm ) i have seen good reports on this forum about this media.

natas · « **Reply #2 on:** June 24, 2010, 10:00:53 am »

Quote from: mshowe

you might consider this media ( http://www.atlex.com/premier/fine-art-smoo...ise-250-300.htm ) i have seen good reports on this forum about this media.

I just finished reading about it on inkjetart.com, on paper it looks perfect.

neile · « **Reply #3 on:** June 24, 2010, 10:27:24 am »

I looked through my Inkjet Paper List and came up with the following:

Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Ultra Smooth
Red River 60lb. Polar Matte

These are all what I would call cool tone with decent dmax for matte paper.

Neil

natas · « **Reply #4 on:** June 24, 2010, 10:33:30 am »

Quote from: neile

I looked through my Inkjet Paper List and came up with the following:

Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Ultra Smooth
Red River 60lb. Polar Matte

These are all what I would call cool tone with decent dmax for matte paper.

Neil

I actually have your list right here and looked at it before.

One question I did have was about the Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Ultra Smooth. Your spreadsheet says no OBA's but there website pdf says OBA's moderate.

neile · « **Reply #5 on:** June 24, 2010, 10:54:06 am »

Quote from: natas

One question I did have was about the Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Ultra Smooth. Your spreadsheet says no OBA's but there website pdf says OBA's moderate.

Thanks for catching that! I've made the fix and will post the update tonight.

Randy Carone · « **Reply #6 on:** June 24, 2010, 02:31:27 pm »

Minimal OBAs in Photo Rag and Photo Rag Ultra Smooth. VERY similar papers.

JeffKohn · « **Reply #7 on:** June 24, 2010, 05:39:03 pm »

You might consider Epson's new Hot Press Paper, or Canson Rag Photographique. I have my suspicions that these new Epson papers (Cold Press and Hot Press) may actually be Canson Infinity papers in disguise.

I didn't personally try the Epson Hot Press, I tried the Cold Press since I was looking for a little more texture. But I would assume they use the same inkjet coatings. The Cold Press had the best DMax of of any matte paper I've tested. Both bright-white and natural/warm versions are available.

JeffKohn · « **Reply #8 on:** June 24, 2010, 05:40:38 pm »

Quote from: natas

I actually have your list right here and looked at it before.

One question I did have was about the Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Ultra Smooth. Your spreadsheet says no OBA's but there website pdf says OBA's moderate.

Assuming it's the same as the regular Photo Rag, there's a small amount of OBA's in the paper base but not in the inkjet coating. Profile Maker Pro won't detect OBA's for instance. The white point is pretty neutral, and looks bright but not blueish like some papers.

jdoyle1713 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 24, 2010, 09:42:24 pm »

Quote from: JeffKohn

Assuming it's the same as the regular Photo Rag, there's a small amount of OBA's in the paper base but not in the inkjet coating. Profile Maker Pro won't detect OBA's for instance. The white point is pretty neutral, and looks bright but not blueish like some papers.

He Gang

OK Here ya Go The Hahnemuhle Ultrasmooth is made in France at the Lana Mill its the same formulation as HPR 308 thats made in Germany. The Differance is the water..and The Machine..

Nope I wouldnt bet that the Canson and Epson papers are the same.. Canson IMHO has a different coating !

Also a FYI Epson Hot and Cold Press are due for release anyday..Hopefully my material hits my building before month end..Fingers Crossed!

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

eleanorbrown · « **Reply #10 on:** June 24, 2010, 10:35:39 pm »

Try Epson Hot Press Bright. eleanor

Quote from: natas

Hey guys,

I just finished off the last of my 24inch roll of Epson UltraSmooth. I am now looking for something that is smoother, and not as warm and has a high Dmax. Can anyone make a recommendation? This paper will be primarily used for color prints.

I really really like Epson's Hotpress, but as of right now they do not offer it in rolls.

JeffKohn · « **Reply #11 on:** June 24, 2010, 10:37:18 pm »

Quote

Nope I wouldnt bet that the Canson and Epson papers are the same.. Canson IMHO has a different coating !

I based my guess on similarities in packaging, as well as the fact that the texture on Cold Press looks just like one of the Canson Infinity Papers (can't remember the name, they have so many). The coating on the Cold Press is very good, DMax and gamut easily beat Photo Rag 308 with Lucia EX inks. The texture is a bit much for me, though.

Quote

Also a FYI Epson Hot and Cold Press are due for release anyday..Hopefully my material hits my building before month end..Fingers Crossed!

I assume you're talking about rolls? Last I heard (a while back) sheets were available and rolls were coming soon. I figured the rolls would be available by now...

natas · « **Reply #12 on:** June 24, 2010, 11:04:47 pm »

Quote from: JeffKohn

I based my guess on similarities in packaging, as well as the fact that the texture on Cold Press looks just like one of the Canson Infinity Papers (can't remember the name, they have so many). The coating on the Cold Press is very good, DMax and gamut easily beat Photo Rag 308 with Lucia EX inks. The texture is a bit much for me, though.

I assume you're talking about rolls? Last I heard (a while back) sheets were available and rolls were coming soon. I figured the rolls would be available by now...

Yeah I am asking about rolls. I love the Epsom hot press, but no rolls yet. The day it is released I will be in line getting mine

jdoyle1713 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 25, 2010, 04:37:26 am »

Quote from: natas

Yeah I am asking about rolls. I love the Epsom hot press, but no rolls yet. The day it is released I will be in line getting mine

Yes RTolls are due in any Day.. Sorry if I wasnt clear..

Cheers
Jim

TylerB · « **Reply #14 on:** June 29, 2010, 09:20:12 pm »

I've gone through a fair amount of Canson Rag Photographique 310 now, both B&W and color, Ultrachrome and Cone inks, and am very impressed. Highly recommended for a clean white smooth rag matte fine art paper, no OBAs. Surface more robust than HPR, good gamut and dmax. I'm a convert. These higher dmax/gamut papers make ultrasmooth look a bit flat to me.
Tyler
http://www.custom-digital.com/

Gemmtech · « **Reply #15 on:** June 29, 2010, 11:04:10 pm »

"Canson Rag Photographique 310"

Call me crazy, but I don't consider this paper smooth, it's smooth to the touch, but it does have a nice subtle texture to the paper. It is a wonderful paper and I've been using it, I'm actually quite surprised at the colors, they actually "pop" a little. I'm not one who really likes matte papers, but there are some images that have to be printed on matte.

Rob Reiter · « **Reply #16 on:** July 11, 2010, 01:57:43 pm »

Absolutely the smoothest matte paper in the universe is the Harman FB Matte. It's high clay content gives it a surface with a "ceramic" feel. Not bad for B/W, but not quite as much saturation as a paper like Canson Rag Photographique for color printing.

Randy Carone · « **Reply #17 on:** July 15, 2010, 12:42:12 pm »

The rolls of Epson Hot/Cold Press are here! Finally!

Author Topic: Epson UltraSmooth alternative (Read 4582 times)