Availability of 17" x 25" Sheet Paper

[JayWPage]

I'm looking for an alternative to Hahnemuhle Fine Art Pearl (320gsm weight) paper that is available in sheets 17" x 25".

I'm printing with an Epson 3880 and I'm looking for a paper similar in texture and colour/black reproduction quality to to FA Pearl for use with PK (Photo) black ink. I have been buying FA Pearl in rolls but given the difficulty and time involved in flattening this paper, I'd rather buy some paper pre-cut to 25" long which would be adequate for most of my needs.

I do have some Moab Entrada Bright sheets cut to 25" but that is for use with MK (Matte) black ink. I have tried the Red River San Gabriel Semi-gloss Baryta but I don't care for it. Does any one know of other papers that might be available.

Thanks.

[howardm]

Harman Gloss (was FBAI) is avail in 17x25.  the surface is quite delicate though.

[hugowolf]

I'm looking for an alternative to Hahnemuhle Fine Art Pearl (320gsm weight) paper that is available in sheets 17" x 25".

Apart from several Red River papers, and the Harman Gloss that Howard pointed out, you are out of luck.

Moab does have some papers, including Somerset Photo Satin, in A2, which is approximately 16.5" × 23.4". Museo has Silver Rag in US Arch D (24" x 36"), which cuts down nicely into two 17" x 24" sheets, with only two inches of waste (and no decurling).

Otherwise, there is no alternative, that I know of, to cutting from rolls.

Brian A

[JayWPage]

Thank you for the suggestions, I will try to find some samples of the Harman Gloss to try it out.

[Some Guy]

Inkpress has some heavy lusters and satins, plus they will do special cut sizes.  I got some email where Red River is also doing special cuts too, but you tried them already.  I find most of their paper a bit on the thin side and dents too easily.

Personally, I go for 17x25.5 inches which seems the ideal ratio off the 24x36 mm sensor.  The 25" means I need to crop a bit.

An option would be to cut a roll, use some D-roller (or homemade 3" pipe wrapped in fleece), and store it in a sleeve or old paper box to flatten it.  I often cut 27" lengths since sometimes my printer smudges up the last inch when the paper gets released from the last roller and printhead smears it as it curls up.  Canvas too where feeding it can get stubborn (3880 trait with canvas).

SG

[JayWPage]

I have found that reverse rolling these heavy alpha-cellulose papers often causes the paper to develop a "wavy" surface, which is hard to remove. In fact, sometimes it's still visible when you look at light reflected from the printed surface months later, even when framed. That's unacceptable to me.

I have been cutting sheets of various lengths from rolls and pressing them between sheets of foam board for a few months. After about 4 months, the paper has only a slight residual curl and it is easy to print on. The rag papers are much easier to wrestle into shape than the alpha-cellulose papers. I always initially cut the paper a couple of inches longer than I will eventually trim to so that the bit of curl at the end of the page doesn't cause problems. You have to be gentle with the paper and patient, but it also means anticipating your printing needs months in advance.

[hugowolf]

Personally, I go for 17x25.5 inches which seems the ideal ratio off the 24x36 mm sensor.  The 25" means I need to crop a bit.

If you are matting and framing, 17" x 25" gives you a 16" x 24" (2:3) with 1/2" borders all around. You need something to go under tha mat.

Brian A

[Alan Goldhammer]

I cut 17x25 sheets from rolls using a Rotatrim and then reverse roll them on a 4" mailing tube to get the curl out before printing.  this large diameter is gentle on the paper.  Archival Methods has both 17x25 inch interleave acid free paper and storage boxes.

[mshea]

My usual sources for Harman Hahnemuhle Gloss Baryta are all back ordered: B&H, Adorama, Hunt's, etc. But http://www.itsupplies.com/Harman/Harman-Gloss-Baryta-320gsm-by-Hahnemuhle-17x25-25-sheets-13633043  has it in stock.

Also http://www.freedompaper.com/fine-art-photo/harman-by-hahnemuhle-gloss-baryta-320gsm_2/13633043-17-in-x-25-in-harman-by-hahnemuhle-gloss-baryta-320gsm-11788.html.

Both are free shipping and pretty close to the same price.

Hopefully, the boxes would arrive without a corner or two being dented. Epson is great in that regard; other manufacturers could learn a lesson or two from their packaging.

Merrill

[Peter McLennan]

www.inkjetart.com
Microceramic luster.  Many sizes, including 17X25.
Great service and price.

[mshea]

I haven't tried this paper. I looked up the specs but didn't find much. Does anyone know the weight and/or how it compares to the Harman Hahn?

Merrill

[JayWPage]

Thanks again for the suggestions. I am considering the Harman Hahnemuhle Gloss Baryta but in reading through the past discussions on this paper on LL, I'm surprised about some of the comments about it's delicate nature and the ease with which it is scratched, even by dust in the printer. How common is that?

Since I am in Canada, the free shipping doesn't apply for most online stores so I will look for a package of 8 1/2 x 11 locally to try the Harman Gloss out. If I like it I will order a box of the 17" x 25" from B&H in the fall.

[hugowolf]

Thanks again for the suggestions. I am considering the Harman Hahnemuhle Gloss Baryta but in reading through the past discussions on this paper on LL, I'm surprised about some of the comments about it's delicate nature and the ease with which it is scratched, even by dust in the printer. How common is that?

I haven’t had problems with the surface. I had one client complain about it warping, but he took fresh prints and mounted them in a way that I could not recommend (fixed the whole length, top and bottom). Prints on this paper need to cure for at least 24 hours, if not longer.

I use it in 17” x 25 “ sheets, and 24” and 36” rolls on Epson 3880 and 9890 printers.

Brian A

[JRSmit]

compared to PE photo papers it is more prone to scratches, especially in the first 24 hours or so. Compared to fine art papers it is as delicate. It needs to dry thorougly, as do fine art papers.

[AFairley]

Just as a note, I cut 17x25 sheets out of 24x36" sheets, the remainder gets cut into 5x7 pieces that I use for making test prints as I dial in the look I want in PP.

[jeffreybehr]

Per Epson:
Printable Area

Maximum paper width  17"

Maximum cut-sheet size 17" x 22"
...

Will the 3880 print full-length on 17X25" paper?  If so, I might buy one; 19X13" prints are looking a little small, and I don't have room for a 4900.

[JayWPage]

I believe when the Epson software is used you can specify a custom-sized sheet of paper to 37.4".

I am using ImagePrint and it allows for very long pieces of paper, far longer than I will ever be interested in printing. I don't remember what it is but it's banner length, maybe 10' or more.

[BillK]

Per Epson:
Printable Area

Maximum paper width  17"

Maximum cut-sheet size 17" x 22"
...

Will the 3880 print full-length on 17X25" paper?  If so, I might buy one; 19X13" prints are looking a little small, and I don't have room for a 4900.

I print 17x25 all the time with no problems.  You just have to set up a custom paper size. Easy to do.

[jeffreybehr]

TYVM Jay and Bill; that's great news.

Any recommendations for 25" paper that resembles Epson Premium Luster?

[Ken Bennett]

I've gotten 17x25 sheets of luster finish paper from Ink Jet Art and Red River. Works well using the Epson luster profile in my 3800.

Just have to be careful about dented corners and send it back for replacement. (I do not understand their packaging methods - either I am the only one who gets dented paper, which is highly unlikely, or no one else sends it back.)