Moab Museum Sommerset Rag

[Josh-H]

I just tried this new paper for the first time this evening. I have been off matt papers for quite a while now - pretty much since the new Baryta papers hit the market; but this review http://www.danecreekfolios.com/blog/2010/7/7/moab-somerset-museum-rag-paper-review.html got me curious enough to want to test it. And testing it has just dragged me right back into the matt paper fold. This is a gorgeous paper, wonderful texture, beautiful in the hand, fabulous dmax and color gamut.

I have only tried it so far with Moab's own 5100 profile - which isn't that great; its definitely a bit off in colour for my printer (red push). Has anyone custom profiled this paper yet for the IPF5100 and tried other media types than Moab's recommended Premium Matt?

I will X post this to the Canon printer Wiki as well.

[Chairman Bill]

I prefer matt papers - less reflections when mounted behind glass. I use Hahnemuhle photo-rag, but the Moab paper sounds good. Any idea how the two compare?

[neile]

but this review http://www.danecreekfolios.com/blog/2010/7/7/moab-somerset-museum-rag-paper-review.html got me curious enough to want to test it. And testing it has just dragged me right back into the matt paper fold.

Laugh. Glad my little write-up was helpful, Josh. I'm totally with you. I'm not a fan of matte papers but there's something about the Museum Rag that's just... lovely!

Neil

[neile]

To answer your other question, I haven't done a custom profile yet of the paper. But based on the Canon iPF wiki, I don't think I've ever seen a matte paper recommendation for something other than Premium Matte Paper.

Neil

[JeffKohn]

To answer your other question, I haven't done a custom profile yet of the paper. But based on the Canon iPF wiki, I don't think I've ever seen a matte paper recommendation for something other than Premium Matte Paper.

I think part of that recommendation has to do with the fact that on the older printers, Premium Matte was one of the few media settings that not only worked well with fine-art matte papers, but could also be fed through all paper paths on the 5x00, could be used with the Monochrome Mode, and could print with 3mm margins.  It was kind of a jack of all trades media setting.

But as far as actual gamut/dmax go, I've found Fine Art Watercolor to be slightly better than PM for the papers that I've tried.

[Josh-H]

prefer matt papers - less reflections when mounted behind glass. I use Hahnemuhle photo-rag, but the Moab paper sounds good. Any idea how the two compare?

Yes; I have two A3 prints sitting in my light booth now - one on the Moab and one on HPR - there is no comparison to my eyes; the Moab has it all over the HPR. Specifically the colour gamut is most noticeably better with greater saturation on the Moab. The Dmax is very close, but I give it to the Moab by a nose and a bit.

Additionally the Moab requires less adjustment in Soft Proofing in the test I have done. But I stress, this is all based on just one test print comparison. I would need to do more prints to establish a status quo.

I do prefer the feel of the Moab - its got a more velvety feel than the PR. But then I prefer Hahnemuhle's museum etching to the PR for feel as well.

[Rusty]

I got a box and would prefer to have got 3 for some folios printed recently, however in short supply at the time. As / Neile at Dane Creek (also why I tried it) it is wonderful in the hand.
Its a tad pricey but worth it. I found that I needed to give each sheet a brush before inserting in the printer and sometimes sheets required some counter roll to flatten to be accepted by the printer (rear slot 3880).
I'll be getting more.

[neile]

But as far as actual gamut/dmax go, I've found Fine Art Watercolor to be slightly better than PM for the papers that I've tried.

Unfortunately Fine Art Watercolor doesn't support Manual Feed (3mm) or Cassette for printer paths

Oh, and I almost forgot. UPS delivered a surprise to my doorstop today: a 17" roll of Somerset Museum Rag from B&H. I'd ordered it on July 20th and it looks like it is finally in stock and shipping!

Neil

[JeffKohn]

Unfortunately Fine Art Watercolor doesn't support Manual Feed (3mm) or Cassette for printer paths

Yes, as I mentioned those were good reasons to favor PremiumMatte on the x000 series. I thought for the x100 series, the restrictions on media types were for the most part removed with a firmware update (excepting maybe manual/3mm).

With the x300's, you can create a custom media type based on FA-WC and it will even let you use manual/3mm. I tend to avoid the 3mm setting though, because it's a guaranteed recipe for ugly head strikes if the paper isn't perfectly flat. These printers are at their best printing on rolls.

[neile]

Yes, as I mentioned those were good reasons to favor PremiumMatte on the x000 series. I thought for the x100 series, the restrictions on media types were for the most part removed with a firmware update (excepting maybe manual/3mm).

They did, for the most part. But on all the "Fine Art" paper types they still don't allow manual 3mm and cassette. But I'm with you, printing on rolls is generally where it's at!

Neil

[Josh-H]

I've done a swag more testing with the Moab Somerset Museum Rag (MSMR) this evening and I am a complete convert for this paper. So much so, I have gone back and re-printed a dozen images that I had thought I had finished on Hahnemuhle PhotoRag Baryta for comparison. I far prefer them on the MSMR. The Dmax is better on the HPRB (but not by much for a gloss v. matt comparison); but in every other area, colour depth, feel, tooth, texture, I prefer the MSMR. In the hand its gloriously supple and velvety. I gave two prints to my wife - one on HPRB and one on the MSMR. Her immediate reaction as a non photographer was 'I prefer the semi-gloss'; being taken in by the gloss as most non photographers are. But within seconds she changed her mind saying she preferred the depth of colour, feel and look of the MSMR. There is something about this paper that just really appeals.

Compared to my traditional favourite HPR and Museum Etching the MSMR is better on all counts (especially dmax and colour depth) - although the heavy tooth on Museum Etching is something I still like for certain images. I cant see myself printing on HPR again now I have this new MSMR paper.

I managed to get a 17" roll and a box of the 13 x 19 MSMR locally (cleaned them out of stock). I notice however Moab do not as yet produce this paper in A3 and rolls larger than 17" are limited in size (some sizes not yet available). Hopefully its not far off as I will be doing a lot of printing on this new Rag paper in the future.

One thing to be careful of - this paper does require a good brushing before putting through the printer. I ruined my first A3+ sheet because some small fibres came off after it had been through the printer leaving white spots on the print. A good brushing solves the problem removing any loose fibres.

Prints definitely benefit from some subtle soft proofing tweaks (such as a curve tweak, and a little +5/+8 Sat. boost) in PS to compensate for the matt paper - so it is more work than something like HPRB; which you can pretty much print straight from a processed file without softproof tweaks. But its worth the effort and a gorgeous paper.

[artobest]

I'm salivating at the prospect of getting this paper. Can't see it on sale in the UK yet though.