Fine Art paper for the Epson R2400?

[budjames]

I just replaced my Epson 2200 with the new R2400. I've been using ImagePrint 6.0 RIP to print enlargements on Hahnemuhler William Turner and German Etching fine art papers. The results are wonderful.

Since IP does not yet support the R2400, I tried printing to these same papers using Hahenmuhler's profiles. The results are not very good.

I started using Epson Archival Matte with Epson's profiles and the results are very good, but the Epson paper does not have the same quality feel for fine art prints.

Until IP is available, I need a better option.

I'm curious what other papers and profiles R2400 owners are using to print fine art photos.

Bud James
North Wales, PA

[Steven M Anthony]

I use Epson Watercolor Radiant White and Premium Luster.  I've also used Enhanced Matte, but don't like the results at all.  I downloaded the epson icc profiles for these papers, but have found that using the printers default profile for WCRW and PL and letting PS CS do the color management work best--at least for my taste.

[Dale_Cotton]

You might try using the EEM profile and paper type for the Hahnemuhle papers. This works very well on my 4000; certainly better than Hahnemuhle's own profiles for the 4000.

The paper I use about 95% of the time is Moab Entrada Natural. The 300 gm version is very, very similar to German Etching. Think of Entrada as a European paper at North American prices. ;)

[Geoff Wittig]

I got very good results on the 2400 using Epson's profiles with both Somerset velvet and Epson ultrasmooth fine art papers. However, I believe that using Epson's K3 printers on matte & fine art papers squanders their capabilities. These printers offer a huge improvement in D-max with photoblack ink on semigloss or glossy paper.
Prints from my 2400 using matte black ink on fine art paper are virtually indistinguishable from those my 7600 cranks out using standard ultrachrome ink. Switch to photoblack ink on luster or semigloss paper, however, and the depth and D-max of prints from the 2400 enter a whole new realm.

[budjames]

I have my 2200 and R2400 running side by side for comparisons. The R2400 using the Epson supplied profiles for Enhanced Matte are superior to the 2200.

B&W on the R2400 is yards better - no color casts, rich blacks.

Moab Kokopelli Glossy printed on the R2400 using Moab's profiles from their web site are beautiful. They look like glossy photos. When I angle the print to the light, the surface is smooth, no hint of ink build up or metamerism. Again, this is much better than the 2200.

Now I can't wait for Colorbyte Software to upgrade ImagePrint 6 to handle the R2400. This is the one thing I miss as compared to the 2200. IP for the R2400 should be out in a few weeks according to the developer.

Bud James
North Wales, PA