Red River Polar Pearl Metallic

[MattBeardsley]

I've been printing my way through an 11x17 box of Red River Paper's new Polar Pearl Metallic.  It's a pretty cool, and very usable paper.  Not at all over-the-top like previous Red River metallics (you'll have to believe me if you were scarred by "Silver Metallic" a few years ago.)  I even prefer this new metallic to the look of Kodak Endura Metallic.  I print on a Canon iPF6100; it works great with this surface.  It's a nice, unique look, I think.  If interested, check out a review of the paper I posted on my blog:

http://mattbeardsleyblog.com/2010/07/27/th...metallic-paper/

[Wayne Fox]

I've been printing my way through an 11x17 box of Red River Paper's new Polar Pearl Metallic.  It's a pretty cool, and very usable paper.  Not at all over-the-top like previous Red River metallics (you'll have to believe me if you were scarred by "Silver Metallic" a few years ago.)  I even prefer this new metallic to the look of Kodak Endura Metallic.  I print on a Canon iPF6100; it works great with this surface.  It's a nice, unique look, I think.  If interested, check out a review of the paper I posted on my blog:

http://mattbeardsleyblog.com/2010/07/27/th...metallic-paper/

Interesting.  I haven't found any inkjet metallic paper that compared side by side with metallic offers the same look.  Sure the highlights look metallic, but with the Kodak, most colors retain a metallic look, where as with the inkjet the ink simply covers it up and it looks like regular glossy paper.  The Kodak finish is also very pristine, something you can't duplicate with inkjet.

Not that the inkjet metallics look bad, and indeed the fact that you can do them yourself makes them very appealing.  I'll have to try this new one out.

[williamrohr]

Just tried a roll of the RR metallic ... seems best for B&W ... one caution ... seems very dusty, even the sheet form ... should be dusted with an appropriate brush otherwise you will see little particles falling off leaving white spots behind after printing (and printer looks like fine snow on it).   Bill

[neile]

Just tried a roll of the RR metallic ... seems best for B&W ... one caution ... seems very dusty, even the sheet form ... should be dusted with an appropriate brush otherwise you will see little particles falling off leaving white spots behind after printing (and printer looks like fine snow on it). Bill

I posted a detailed comparison of the six different metallic papers on the market in the following two blog entries:

http://www.danecreekfolios.com/blog/2010/7...o-chrome-a.html
http://danecreekfolios.squarespace.com/blo...eplace-kod.html

With one exception they are all the same paper, just sold under different brand names and at different prices.

Neil

[Ken Doo]

Neil's experiences mirror my own.  Kodak Endura Metallic has a lot more "pop" than the inkjet metallic alternatives.  The inkjet alternatives are a bit more friendly for portraiture-type subjects (think "skin").

[Scho]

If you want to get the Kodak Endura Metallic look on Red River Polar Pearl Metallic then try printing with an Epson 1400 (or other Epson Claria printer) using the Epson Claria inks.  I print primarily B&W and use this setup with QTR and a custom curve that uses only the Claria black with a small amount of light magenta for neutrality adjustment.  I think that side by side with a Kodak Endura print the Red river B&W is better. Wet look metallic that is really the best I've seen with superior depth and gloss.  My Canon 6100 prints have a nice soft gloss on Red River Metallic, but next to a Claria print they really do look dull and lack impact.  Claria is a dye based ink, but at least according to Wilhelm's testing longevity is comparable to pigments.  I only wish that Epson would make a large format Claria printer.  If anyone has access to an Epson 1400 and wants to try this I'd be happy to provide the QTR curve for Red River Metallic.

[mshowe]

If you want to get the Kodak Endura Metallic look on Red River Polar Pearl Metallic then try printing with an Epson 1400 (or other Epson Claria printer) using the Epson Claria inks.  I print primarily B&W and use this setup with QTR and a custom curve that uses only the Claria black with a small amount of light magenta for neutrality adjustment.  I think that side by side with a Kodak Endura print the Red river B&W is better. Wet look metallic that is really the best I've seen with superior depth and gloss.  My Canon 6100 prints have a nice soft gloss on Red River Metallic, but next to a Claria print they really do look dull and lack impact.  Claria is a dye based ink, but at least according to Wilhelm's testing longevity is comparable to pigments.  I only wish that Epson would make a large format Claria printer.  If anyone has access to an Epson 1400 and wants to try this I'd be happy to provide the QTR curve for Red River Metallic. My results with this media on a 3800 epson and z3200 hp have been less than great,but my wife has an epson 1400 and i have never tried the metallic media on it thank you for the info, i would like to run your curve. Thanks!!! Milt

[Scho]

You can download the QTR curve file at the following link.  Also included is a QTR rgb icc file for softproofing and application prior to printing files in rgb mode.
QTR 1400 Curve

[NikoJorj]

Claria is a dye based ink, but at least according to Wilhelm's testing longevity is comparable to pigments.

According to an independent and recognized researcher, it is not (at least not with normal papers ; I'd think the Wilhelm case was with some special microporous-or-so paper that helps to protect the dye, IIRC).
But I fully understand dyes are more adapted to these metallic papers, that said.

[mshowe]

You can download the QTR curve file at the following link.  Also included is a QTR rgb icc file for softproofing and application prior to printing files in rgb mode.
QTR 1400 Curve

Thank You very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Milt: