Head height for custom media / paper (Canon Pro-1000, Hahnemühle Silk Baryta)

[henrikolsen]

I'm about to setup a custom media type (in MCT, media configuration tool) for Hahnemühle Photo Silk Baryta on a Canon Pro-1000.

I need to select a base media type, and based on the weight and thickness of the Silk Baryta (310 gsm and 0,312mm) I'm advised to use 'Heavy Photo Paper' (there are two, one with a postfix 'A', but no documented difference, see other thread).
This 'Heavy Photo Paper' defaults to a paper thickness (head height) of 'Medium-high'. But if I look at Hahnemühles recommended Canon OEM media type, they recommend Canon Pro Platinum (300gsm, 0,3mm), which in MCT reports paper thickness (head height) to 'Low'). I can choose a custom height from the options Low, Standard, Medium-high and High, so quite a jump from Low to Medium-high it seems.
Any experience on head height settings, and how to go about the discrepancy?

I have noticed that on two test prints on A4 with this paper, using the Canon Pro Platinum media type, that the print had some faint and very thin light stripes around the backend corner coming out (around 3-4 cm from the back edge, 1-2 cm in from side edge). Is this a sign the head height is too aggressive on 'Low'? The paper, at least laying here afterwards, printed, does have a slight tendency to curl upwards near the side edges, so it's perhaps hard to keep this spot plain near end of paper with possible less grip/hold? I see no traces of lines anywhere else, except that very spot. And despite faint error, it is a no-go for critical print, so either I need larger margins (meaning A3 paper needed, although a little waist of paper), or perhaps other adjustments will make it work without sacrificing print quality for the rest of the print.

For ink usage I'll stick with 'Standard' as default in both 'Heavy Photo Paper' and 'Canon Pro Platinum', unless I see an issue, is recommended otherwise, or suddenly feel inclined to test more.

BTW: Noticed than in MCT I cannot see if/when paper feed adjustment was done on a custom paper. I just did it on this paper (step 1), indicating LF(-10) on the test sheet, and once done I pressed Update. Going back in to edit the custom paper later on, I cannot see this step was already done. Can anyone confirm this observation on other custom papers they've done?

[Geraldo Garcia]

Some papers have a tendency to curl upwards on the edges. Give them a little "twist" to the opposite direction before loading to make them flat, that usually solves this type of problem.
If I remember correctly from my tests, the only difference between  'Heavy Photo Paper' and  'Heavy Photo Paper A' is the C.O. option. Both use it but on 'Heavy Photo Paper' the only option is 'Auto' while on  'Heavy Photo Paper A' the options are 'Auto' and 'Overall'. I could not find any other difference and based on that I advise using the 'A' variant.

As you said, the head height options are Low, Standard, Medium-high and High, so there is no "jump" between Low and Medium-High because you have 'Standard' in between. For the Hahnemühle Photo Silk Baryta I am using 'Standard' without issues.

I believe you are correct about not being able to check if the paper feed adjustment was done. As it is the first thing I do when I create a custom media or when I load a new (never used) paper, that doesn't bother me, but would be nice to know.

[sakharov.alexander]

You can use Hahnemuhle doc, attached to every Hahnemuhle profile.
https://www.hahnemuehle.com/en/digital-fineart/icc-profile/download-center.html

From Hahnemuhle User Instruction for Photo Golssy/Luster/Silk Baryta/Pearl driver setup:

5) Medium: Pro Platinum Media
6) Quality: highest
7) User-De ned Modus: Off (no colour correction)

[henrikolsen]

You can use Hahnemuhle doc, attached to every Hahnemuhle profile.
https://www.hahnemuehle.com/en/digital-fineart/icc-profile/download-center.html

From Hahnemuhle User Instruction for Photo Golssy/Luster/Silk Baryta/Pearl driver setup:

5) Medium: Pro Platinum Media
6) Quality: highest
7) User-De ned Modus: Off (no colour correction)

Yes, thanks - if not using a custom media setup. This is the information I have been using when referencing the recommended settings for Pro Platinum, but as that has a head height of 'Low', I was curious to hear opinions on this low height vs the default for a custom media in MCT for heavy photo paper, defaulting to 'medium-high'.

[henrikolsen]

Some papers have a tendency to curl upwards on the edges. Give them a little "twist" to the opposite direction before loading to make them flat, that usually solves this type of problem.

Thanks, I'll try if the sheets have a tendency to do a "stingray".

If I remember correctly from my tests, the only difference between  'Heavy Photo Paper' and  'Heavy Photo Paper A' is the C.O. option. Both use it but on 'Heavy Photo Paper' the only option is 'Auto' while on  'Heavy Photo Paper A' the options are 'Auto' and 'Overall'. I could not find any other difference and based on that I advise using the 'A' variant.

Just tried creating another test on the 'Heavy Photo Paper' (without 'A'), and I can still use 'Overall' on this one as well. So that doesn't seem be a differentiator. I wonder what is then, and why it's not easily documented.

As you said, the head height options are Low, Standard, Medium-high and High, so there is no "jump" between Low and Medium-High because you have 'Standard' in between.

Ah . I was trying to express that because of 'Standard' in between these settings, there _is_ a significant "jump" between 'Low' and 'Medium-High' as used as default for Pro Platinum vs Heavy Photo Paper. Therefore I was seeking advice as this rather big difference seemed to me to perhaps have an impact. I see you've settled in-between on Standard.

For the Hahnemühle Photo Silk Baryta I am using 'Standard' without issues.

Good to hear. I'll try it. Any test results behind this choice? Indicating whether raising head height gives less detail (I would think so, but haven't tested myself, at least yet)?

I notice that I cannot choose 'Use contrast reproduction' in Print Studio Pro for my custom media types from MCT. I don't normally print from Print Studio Pro (using Lightroom directly), but have been trying this feature out earlier, and wondering why it's disabled now with custom media.
I do see in the documentation that "This function is not available depending on the selected printer and media type.". Would have been nice, but it's possible the changes are so media specific optimised, that Canon won't dare throwing it unknown custom media types. Would love a technical description of the feature, in an attempt to replicate it elsewhere.

[henrikolsen]

BTW: Noticed than in MCT I cannot see if/when paper feed adjustment was done on a custom paper. I just did it on this paper (step 1), indicating LF(-10) on the test sheet, and once done I pressed Update. Going back in to edit the custom paper later on, I cannot see this step was already done. Can anyone confirm this observation on other custom papers they've done?

Found out today that if you press "Check Settings", one of the listed items is "Paper Feed Adjustment" with a setting of "Executed". So it can be verified whether it's already been done. I would like though to also have logged the time and adjustment value (to see if it seems to slip over time, if not I can be sure it's a one-off adjustment per media type).

[loganross]

Just following up.  The "A" version of the Media Types is simply a revised version of the the non-"A" version.  The only difference is that according to Canon Tech Support, the "A" version is compatible with other canon printers.  If you want to be able to turn of gloss optimizer, you have to use the media types that include "CO off" off in the title.

Thanks, I'll try if the sheets have a tendency to do a "stingray".

Just tried creating another test on the 'Heavy Photo Paper' (without 'A'), and I can still use 'Overall' on this one as well. So that doesn't seem be a differentiator. I wonder what is then, and why it's not easily documented.

Ah . I was trying to express that because of 'Standard' in between these settings, there _is_ a significant "jump" between 'Low' and 'Medium-High' as used as default for Pro Platinum vs Heavy Photo Paper. Therefore I was seeking advice as this rather big difference seemed to me to perhaps have an impact. I see you've settled in-between on Standard.

Good to hear. I'll try it. Any test results behind this choice? Indicating whether raising head height gives less detail (I would think so, but haven't tested myself, at least yet)?

I notice that I cannot choose 'Use contrast reproduction' in Print Studio Pro for my custom media types from MCT. I don't normally print from Print Studio Pro (using Lightroom directly), but have been trying this feature out earlier, and wondering why it's disabled now with custom media.
I do see in the documentation that "This function is not available depending on the selected printer and media type.". Would have been nice, but it's possible the changes are so media specific optimised, that Canon won't dare throwing it unknown custom media types. Would love a technical description of the feature, in an attempt to replicate it elsewhere.