Inexpensive Wholesale 11 x 17 inch Inkjet Photo Paper

[jleg094]

Recently my company purchased a Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II printer for graphic design. We frequently print 11 x 17 inch spreads, containing photographs and text. The problem is, the color looks faded on normal paper. Canon paper is far too expensive, and comes only in small quantities (100 pages or less). So far the best paper we have found is 32 lb writing matte paper from Red River Catalog (http://www.redrivercatalog.com/browse/32lb-premium-matte.html). The print quality looks amazing, but it still costs roughly 30 cents a page and only comes in packs of 100.

I have sampled various papers, and have done hours of beyond hours of research. Every time I try a new paper, the prints either come out dull or I find out that the paper was not intended for inkjet use and the prints come out very splotchy. I am considering sampling a paper from Mohawk like this one (http://www.mohawkconnects.com/products/item/paper/mohawk-everyday-digital-coated/90-65220). But once again I am not certain it will work with an inkjet printer. Customer service said they were also uncertain as to whether it would work with an inkjet printer and recommended trying a sample, but I don't want to waste another $8 on a sample not knowing if it will even work!

If anyone knows of a specific kind of inkjet paper that is any cheaper, and preferably sold in reams of 500+, or at least has some knowledge to contribute, please help! Thanks.

[pikeys]

Recently my company purchased a Canon PIXMA Pro9000 Mark II printer for graphic design. We frequently print 11 x 17 inch spreads, containing photographs and text. The problem is, the color looks faded on normal paper. Canon paper is far too expensive, and comes only in small quantities (100 pages or less). So far the best paper we have found is 32 lb writing matte paper from Red River Catalog (http://www.redrivercatalog.com/browse/32lb-premium-matte.html). The print quality looks amazing, but it still costs roughly 30 cents a page and only comes in packs of 100.

I have sampled various papers, and have done hours of beyond hours of research. Every time I try a new paper, the prints either come out dull or I find out that the paper was not intended for inkjet use and the prints come out very splotchy. I am considering sampling a paper from Mohawk like this one (http://www.mohawkconnects.com/products/item/paper/mohawk-everyday-digital-coated/90-65220). But once again I am not certain it will work with an inkjet printer. Customer service said they were also uncertain as to whether it would work with an inkjet printer and recommended trying a sample, but I don't want to waste another $8 on a sample not knowing if it will even work!

If anyone knows of a specific kind of inkjet paper that is any cheaper, and preferably sold in reams of 500+, or at least has some knowledge to contribute, please help! Thanks.

Paper,is the last thing you want to skimp on,in this hobby.
To buy a printer,then ink,and then use "cheap paper" ,is like throwing your money ,out the window
Never buy paper ,in lots of 100,until you are totally familiar with it----Buy sample packs.
I would try this:
  http://www.redrivercatalog.com/browse/68lb-ultrapro-satin.html...for starters
Make sure you download the ICC paper profile,and use it.

Mike

[I.T. Supplies]

It really depends on the type of paper you're looking to print on...Matte, Luster, Glossy, Canvas, Fine Art, etc.

Epson has their Premium Matte paper that is around $.23/sheet for 100 sheets (thinner than the Ultra Premium Matte), but still gives a good quality.

What type of printing do you do and I can provide some options?

atlex.com

[jleg094]

Paper,is the last thing you want to skimp on,in this hobby.
To buy a printer,then ink,and then use "cheap paper" ,is like throwing your money ,out the window
Never buy paper ,in lots of 100,until you are totally familiar with it----Buy sample packs.
I would try this:
  http://www.redrivercatalog.com/browse/68lb-ultrapro-satin.html...for starters
Make sure you download the ICC paper profile,and use it.

Mike

I'm aware, paper is important when it comes to an inkjet printer. And I already have been purchasing many small sample packs of various paper for testing, but unfortunately none of them worked well. I have a 100 sheets of Red River paper (http://www.redrivercatalog.com/browse/32lb-premium-matte.html) already, and it works better than I could have ever dreamed! However, it is still 30 cents a page. I am looking for something cheaper because the designers here like to print A LOT, and are not satisfied with plain paper as the color is quite dull.

[jleg094]

It really depends on the type of paper you're looking to print on...Matte, Luster, Glossy, Canvas, Fine Art, etc.

Epson has their Premium Matte paper that is around $.23/sheet for 100 sheets (thinner than the Ultra Premium Matte), but still gives a good quality.

What type of printing do you do and I can provide some options?

atlex.com

I'm looking for pretty much any paper that isn't plain (that color photographs will show up well on). Matte, Luster, or Glossy would be ideal (perhaps even Satin). Canvas, fine art, and plain are pretty much out of the picture. I have seen Epson's Premium Matte paper around, though I haven't heard much about the quality. If it is fairly good for photos I may give it a try. 23 cents a sheet is better, but I was really hoping for something maybe around 15 cents or less. I have found an abundance of great Matte and Glossy papers out there for laserjet printers, that are dirt cheap (5 cents a page), but it seems next to impossible to find the same for inkjet! Anyway, I hope that helps. If you know of any other paper options just let me know. Thanks.

[hugowolf]

Coated paper will always cost a lot more per unit area than uncoated stock, but will always perform much better with an inkjet printer than uncoated stock. If you really want to cut paper costs, then I would look at a roll feed printer, maybe the Canon ipf 5100, if it has a paper paper cutter.

For my cheapest paper, I use rolls of Canon paper on my 44 inch Epson printer. Exact ICC profiles usually don't matter that much for this grade of printing, but you could have a custom profile made if you were really picky.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Roll+Width_17%22+Wide+Rolls&ci=19443&N=4077634578+4290475255

If you have to stick with the 9000 II, then you cheapest option is probably:

Epson Photo Quality Inkjet Paper at 20¢ a sheet:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/152962-REG/Epson_S041070_Photo_Quality_Inkjet_Paper.html

You could contact RedRiver directly and see what sort of discount they can give you for larger quantities, but their usual discound is only 5% for 10+ and 10% for 20+ boxes.

Brian A

[pikeys]

Coated paper will always cost a lot more per unit area than uncoated stock, but will always perform much better with an inkjet printer than uncoated stock. If you really want to cut paper costs, then I would look at a roll feed printer, maybe the Canon ipf 5100, if it has a paper paper cutter.

For my cheapest paper, I use rolls of Canon paper on my 44 inch Epson printer. Exact ICC profiles usually don't matter that much for this grade of printing, but you could have a custom profile made if you were really picky.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Roll+Width_17%22+Wide+Rolls&ci=19443&N=4077634578+4290475255

If you have to stick with the 9000 II, then you cheapest option is probably:

Epson Photo Quality Inkjet Paper at 20¢ a sheet:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/152962-REG/Epson_S041070_Photo_Quality_Inkjet_Paper.html

You could contact RedRiver directly and see what sort of discount they can give you for larger quantities, but their usual discound is only 5% for 10+ and 10% for 20+ boxes.

Brian A

Jleg,
I'd jump on the options,Brian selected for you-I doubt ,you find anything cheaper
For many years,I used Epson Luster,& Ilford smooth Pearl,when it was available in quantity,100,250 sheets I always jumped on it
I still think I have some unused,under the bed...lol