For those wishing to see a comparison of the three versions of the Harman Gloss Al Baryta (I only have the latest original Harman Warm Tone Glossy Al at this time), as well as other paper comparisons, please see the link below to view my Inkjet Paper Ink Reception Test by the Comparative Method.
This test was devised by me to provide an accurate way of comparing and measuring the way papers respond to ink. In my opinion, that’s by far the most important factor in paper selection, and the test has been an extremely reliable indicator of paper quality.
1) The test is not influenced by, and does not use, profiles, linearization, curves, rendering intents, or actual test images. (that can be done later)
2) The only selections are
a. Paper type
b. Matte or glossy black ink
c. Dots per inch
Those parameters assure that the papers may be directly compared, numerically and visually, for their responses to ink under the same exact conditions. The test image produces ramps of each ink cartridge at 5% intervals from 5% to 100%, using Roy Harrington’s QTR calibration page. All that the page does is push ink in those increments. I use the black, light-black, and light-light black ramps only for this test. The color ramps are not used for this numerical evaluation.
All the charts are to the same size and scale for direct comparison.
In the charts, the top of the highest curve is the maximum black. The bottom of the lowest curve is the lowest 5% grey, but not minimum ink. If the curves are smooth with no reversals and no leveling out before the final increase or decrease, and relatively evenly spaced, then linearizing or profiling will be able to effectively produce a smooth range of tones. If not, it is sometimes possible with some ink limiting to produce a satisfactory profile if some other aspect of the paper is worth the effort. The best curves in this test set reveal themselves very quickly.
Other observations are included, such as bronzing observations, paper color and indications of the presence of brighteners, surface reflectance (gloss differential). An important number is the difference between paper white and maximum useful black density (Dmax). That number has a box around it, as it is an important indication of perceived potential contrast.
A few odd tests were made to prove or disprove some suggested deviations from the normal way of printing on certain papers. Other tests were made to compare response at 1440 vs. 2880 dpi settings where it seemed that results might improve. This was done for the Harman by Hahnemuhle Gloss Al, and seems to indicate a better response at the lower setting.
For more information, go to
http://www.dygartphotography.com/papertestmethod.html and read about the paper test method. Then, you should be able to easily read and interpret the spreadsheets found in the next page listed in the upper menu as “Paper Test Charts.”
Aloha,
Aaron