Paper recommendations wanted

[Bryan Conner]

I am looking for opinions and recommendations on A3 sized paper, or A3+, to be printed on my Epson ET-8550.  I am looking for a paper with low glare/reflections as the prints will end up framed, without glass, and hanging on walls in our home.  Some locations will have large windows opposite so glare/reflections are a concern. I also prefer smooth papers over textured.  I have tested some PermaJet as well as Hahnemühle Baryta papers and don't really like the texture.

I have tried several papers readily available here in Germany, of which PermaJet Matt Plus 240, Epson Premium Semi-Gloss, and PermaJet Oyster 271 being my favorites.  I like the colors and contrast from the Epson Premium Semi-Gloss and the Permajet Oyster 271, but I really like the surface of the PermaJet Matt 240.  Between the Epson and the PermaJet Oyster, it is a toss up.  I can't decide which one I like best in terms of glare/reflections.  Both are relatively low, but not matt of course.

So, any recommendations or opinions would be greatly appreciated.  In my part of the world, I have easy access to Canson, Hahnemühle, Innova, Ilford, PermaJet, Moab, Felix Schoeller, and Canon and Epson of course.

Thanks in advance for your ideas, opinions and suggestions.

[Czornyj]

Ilford Studio Satin works well with dye inks and has smooth surface, of course Studio Matt is more non-reflective at the cost of lower contrast and sharpness that only photo paper can achieve, so you have to choose a compromise that suits you better. Fine art papers have completely no sense with dye, non-archival inks epecially if you don't like fibre texture

[dgberg]

My opinion, yours may vary.
The 8550 printer is average at best with matte papers. Hahnemuhle William turner, Canson Etching Rag II and Canson BFK Rives are our premier papers but with dye ink are so so at best.
I did a portfolio comparison of all of our premium papers with the P5370 and 8550.
The 8550 with its dye inkset is outstanding with any gloss papers, especially white film. Mitsubishi hi gloss white film and Ilford Smooth hi gloss white film are the two premier materials for dye ink.
Next best is the Canon Pro Platinum hi gloss and the Graphica Glossy Film. All are extremely fragile and not mounting behind glass just may not work for any extended period.
The 8550 does a really decent job with the Hahnemuhle FAB glossy and FAB satin. The Canson Platine Fiber Rag is right up there with the Hahnemuhle papers.
We use the pigment P5370 and Canon Pro 4600 for everything photographic except for occasional small snapshots that someone may want.
Black and white and color on white film are very special and are as close as you will come to the Cibachrome of yesterday.

[Bryan Conner]

Ilford Studio Satin works well with dye inks and has smooth surface, of course Studio Matt is more non-reflective at the cost of lower contrast and sharpness that only photo paper can achieve, so you have to choose a compromise that suits you better. Fine art papers have completely no sense with dye, non-archival inks epecially if you don't like fibre texture

Thanks for the information.  That explains why I really don't like the look of fibre texture, in addition to the not liking the texture itself.  Thanks again for your opinion.

[Bryan Conner]

My opinion, yours may vary.
The 8550 printer is average at best with matte papers. Hahnemuhle William turner, Canson Etching Rag II and Canson BFK Rives are our premier papers but with dye ink are so so at best.
I did a portfolio comparison of all of our premium papers with the P5370 and 8550.
The 8550 with its dye inkset is outstanding with any gloss papers, especially white film. Mitsubishi hi gloss white film and Ilford Smooth hi gloss white film are the two premier materials for dye ink.
Next best is the Canon Pro Platinum hi gloss and the Graphica Glossy Film. All are extremely fragile and not mounting behind glass just may not work for any extended period.
The 8550 does a really decent job with the Hahnemuhle FAB glossy and FAB satin. The Canson Platine Fiber Rag is right up there with the Hahnemuhle papers.
We use the pigment P5370 and Canon Pro 4600 for everything photographic except for occasional small snapshots that someone may want.
Black and white and color on white film are very special and are as close as you will come to the Cibachrome of yesterday.

Hi Dan and thanks for the information.  I think everyone's opinion varies from the next person's.  The ET-8550 is the best printer I have owned so far, but I also know that I have only owned printers which were very cheap and intended for business type document printing.  I also understand that I can't expect the highest quality prints from my printer as it isn't intended to deliver the highest quality.  I am just trying to make the best of what I have to work with.  I am a hobby photographer who only hangs prints on my own wall in hopes that my wife and family/friends can find some enjoyment in them as much as I find enjoyment in taking the pictures.

Having been a member here for many years, I sincerely do appreciate you taking the time to share your opinion and experience.

[dgberg]

Nothing wrong with the 8550 for sure. Probably the best dye printer on the market. We don't make any money off of it and that's ok.
Just comparing prints from different ink sets makes it worth it and thank you.

[Kyle Jackson]

I find glare/reflections really do eat a lot, so the contrast/sat "deficit" of matte papers is not nearly as bad as might be expected when compared alongside satin/under-glass prints (granted I'm not using topcoatings or anti-glare glass). I currently have some matte peel-and-stick wallpaper prints (HP pigment ink on Canon-badged Phototex) up next to satin prints under glass, and even that not-optimal matte material wins for no-glare clarity from any angle under all lighting conditions.

But if matte surfaces truly suck with dye inks then I guess it's moot and you're "stuck" with satin, etc.

I wonder, what about a "matte-ifying" topcoating (spray/roll-on) that reduces glare/reflections on satin prints? Like matte fixative spray used for artworks.

[Bryan Conner]

I find glare/reflections really do eat a lot, so the contrast/sat "deficit" of matte papers is not nearly as bad as might be expected when compared alongside satin/under-glass prints (granted I'm not using topcoatings or anti-glare glass). I currently have some matte peel-and-stick wallpaper prints (HP pigment ink on Canon-badged Phototex) up next to satin prints under glass, and even that not-optimal matte material wins for no-glare clarity from any angle under all lighting conditions.

But if matte surfaces truly suck with dye inks then I guess it's moot and you're "stuck" with satin, etc.

I wonder, what about a "matte-ifying" topcoating (spray/roll-on) that reduces glare/reflections on satin prints? Like matte fixative spray used for artworks.

Interesting idea, I had not thought about some type of spray.  I will have to investigate. Thanks for the suggestion.