We do ltd edition, high dynamic range, fine art landscapes that are always framed, under non-glare glaze (to control what lighting we can, avoiding lighting flares). To date we've printed almost exclusively on Fuji Crystal Archive Gloss papers (via Chromira or Lightjets). We've found that any "commercial" aspects of glossy paper are nicely ameliorated by the nonglare combo.
It seems like most landscape photographers printing on inkjets to date have gone with semi-matte or matt (ie, stayed away from glossy papers, perhaps because of metamerism, bronzing, et al issues). However, with the advent of Z3100 and its Gloss Enhancer et al, it seems like glossy on inkjets might at last give c-prints a run for their money (?).
The question is: what is the absolute best Gloss paper for high dynamic range color landscape printing on the Z3100? We've been led to believe that using HP's papers and their default profiles (which are better than can be made with the Z3100's built-in spectrophotometer) can yield "exhibition quality." (this would also let us avoid going the ColorByte RIP route to get better profiles - and ImagePrint 7 still doesn't yet exist for the Z3100).
Unfortunately, while HP makes a "Professional" Satin paper (11.3mil), they don't make one for Glossy. Thus, HP's top two glossy papers seem to be:
Q7991A HP Premium Instant-dry Gloss Photo Paper-24 in x 75 ft 10.3 mil $97
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/ga/WF...94-3191296.htmlQ8663A HP Professional High-gloss Contract Proofing Paper-24 in x 100 ft 7.48mil $80
http://h30267.www3.hp.com/country/us/en/de...&pageseq=634500While it's a 200 gsm, acid free paper, I don't understand the implications of its "proofing" label and am a bit nervous. I also wonder why HP doesn't offer it any wider than 24" rolls.In comparing gamut volumes and shadow detail (with ColorThinkPro), surprisingly the Proofing paper comes out on top:
Q8662A HP Professional High-gloss Contract Proofing Paper 7.48mil {809,999GE/810,087gamut}
Q7991A Premium Instant-dry Gloss Photo Paper 10.3 mil {802,885GE/788,691GEgamut}
Q6574A Universal Instant-dry Gloss Photo Paper 7.4mil {645,582GE/638.,625gamut}
Strangely, the Proofing paper's gamut vol. doesn't benefit from GE(!?!).Anyway, in the real-world, has anyone print high-dynamic range, fine art, color landscapes on either of the glossy papers? Any opinions on the implications of "Proofing" paper?Or is there a better glossy paper for our use (in which I case I gladly pay the ~$25 to get it professionally profiled)?
Are any of the above papers more/less likely to stay flat when framed (when conservation mounted via T-Hinges and corner mounts - ie, not laid down)? We are challenged by framed images developing "waves" in humid environments and have found that just because paper is heavier, doesn't mean it will stay flat when framed. For example, Hahnemuhle rag papers seem to absorb/release more moisture given its cotton-rag composition vs. Fuji Crystal Archive's more plastic-based papers.