Matte Paper for Epson 3880

[Philip Weber]

I just purchased a new Epson 3880 after upgrading from my 3+ year old HP B9180 and would appreciate recommendations on matte paper for it.

Currently, I use Ilford Galerie Gold Fibre Silk and love it, but would like to expand my horizons a little, now that I have a printer of this quality.

If the paper you recommend is specifically suited more to B&W, please state that. Otherwise, I'll assume it'll work equally well for color prints.

Thanks everyone,
Phil Weber

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

On my 3800 I do most prints on Ilford Gold Fibre Silk, but when I want a matte surface I very much like Epson Velvet Fine Art, for both color and BW.

The problem with the 3800 and the 3880 is that switching between the PK and MK inks uses a fair amount of ink, so it's best to do the switch when you are planning to make quite a few prints on the other surface.

Eric

[The Doc]

While not a matte finish, Canson Infinity PhotoSatin Premium RC can produce great B&W on the 3880. It is my preferred B&W paper, but like you, I am fairly new to the 3880. But I was blown away by the quality.

Museo (AKA Crane) Portfolio Rag is worth a look, but I have only done colour so far. This link has some suggestions: http://www.imagescience.com.au/kb/questions/43/Buying+Guide+to+Papers+for+Pigment+Ink+Inkjet+Printers

I have found their advice to be very high quality. Matte papers are listed as well as others.

[Alan Goldhammer]

The problem with the 3800 and the 3880 is that switching between the PK and MK inks uses a fair amount of ink, so it's best to do the switch when you are planning to make quite a few prints on the other surface.

Eric

If I recall correctly it uses more ink in the MK to PK switch but it really is not that much in the scheme of things as long as you plan accordingly to print a lot of one kind of paper surface before switching.  Real ink loss occurs if you are constantly switching back and forth.  With respect to paper matte choices, I do like Museo Portfolio Rag but am concerned that it is not quite as fade proof as some other choices according to Aardenburg (don't forget to donate to the cause for studying print permanency!).  I've been doing a lot of printing on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Ultra Smooth (but make sure the paper hasn't curled to avoid head strikes; the one advantage of the Museo paper is that it is very stiff and the edges don't curl upon long term storage).  I also like Epson Hot Press Natural.

[dave230862]

I love the Epson Ultrasmooth Fine Art paper. I have used it as my paper of choice on my 3800 and loved the rich warmth it brings to black and white prints. I have printed colour on it, and it was fine, but I tend to focus on B&W and I love the warmer tone.

I have heard that Epson was phasing this paper out, perhaps in favour of the new Hot/Cold Pressed line. I am using the Hot Press Natural in my 7890 and, except for a profile concern, it print's great. I recently won in a juried photography show and the judge asked me if my prints were traditional fibre prints. I just smiled and said "no". (Judge was relatively well known Toronto fine art photographer). So, I'm quite sold on the Hot Pressed Natural, which is also slightly warmer in tone than the Bright version.

Hope this helps.

[Conner999]

My fave MK used to be Epson VFA, but Hot Press Bright has joined it as a smooth MK paper - very nice.  Have samples, but have yet to try the rougher Cold Press Bright or the warmer natural variants.

[neile]

Moab Somserset Musem Rag. See my review at http://www.danecreekfolios.com/blog/2010/7/7/moab-somerset-museum-rag-paper-review.html. Also try my inkjet paper list as a quick way to sort down to candidate matte papers based on your preferance for paper tone, texture, etc. http://www.danecreekfolios.com/inkjet-paper-list/

Neil

[Philip Weber]

My sincere thanks to everyone for the helpful suggestions and info!

Best regards,
Phil

[howardm]

you may want to try Canson Rag Photographique also

[kenben]

I am  a big fan of Moab Somserset Musem Rag.

[Gemmtech]

Disclaimer: I don't really like matte paper, that was always the case until I tried Canson Rag Photographique.  I have tried a lot of different matte papers and haven't liked any other.  I'm going to try the Moab Somserset Musem Rag because it gets great reviews, Neile loves it but I was hoping he'd try the Canson and give an opinion of the two.  Hopefully soon I'll try the Moab, but I've been trying to avoid trying every paper made and just settling on what looks great to my eyes.  I don't like the Epson Cold / Hot Press papers but it seems most here like them.

[neile]

I keep forgetting to do this.

From a hand feel perspective there's no comparison between Canson Rag Photographique and the Moab Somerset Museum Rag. Rag Photographique is completely smooth to the touch. The Museum Rag has a distinct velvet feel. There is also a more pronounced texture on the Museum Rag. Not so much that it's offensive, but it is definitely more apparent than on the Rag Photographique.

There's a hefty weight difference as well. Rag Photographique clocks in at 210gsm/310µm. Museum Rag is 300gsm, although I don't have the thickness measurement handy.

The paper base colour is very similar.

While I was rummaging through the stack I came up with some other comparables to the Moab paper:

1) Epson Cold Press Bright. Thicker (330gsm). Doesn't have the same velvet feel. Base colour is much deeper than the Moab.
2) Moab Entrada Rag Natural. Same weight (300gsm). Very similar base colour. Slight difference in texture (the Museum Rag has more texture) and slight difference in hand feel (more velvet feeling to the Museum Rag)
3) Museo Portfolio Rag. Same weight (300gsm). Cooler in tone than the Moab. Smoother in texture and hand feel.

Neil
Neil

[kenben]

Neile I find the colors are beautiful and the detail and sharpness very good.
If you check my blog it will give you an idea as to what I use Museum rag for.

http://kenben.wordpress.com/

I am also a big fan of Breathing Colors Lyre Canvas.

[Gemmtech]

Hey Neile will you please get some of the Canson and resolve this issue? 

[neile]

Er, I did. See my post above.

Neil