Photo paper?

[kimberley]

When printing at home what kind of paper does everyone use....the good stuff?

I have the Epson R800, not too keen on the Epson papers....

Kimberley

[Nevyn]

HP Premium Glossy Photo paper - fine for my (very) cheap HP printer and it looks like a 'real' photo when it's done.

Was there a specific effect you were looking for?

[kimberley]

no not really, Im printing at home for my customers and have been using Office Depot papaer, good price and pic look good, just wanted to see what the pros were using......

Kimberley

[jeffkohn]

I like the Red River line of papers, they have every thing from glossy to satin to matte and even specialty papers. Another nice thing is they stock all the common paper sizes so you don't have to do a bunch of cutting. You can order a sampler pack from them of some of their different stuff. http://www.redriverpaper.com

[LoungeLizard]

I have had very good success with Ilford's line of papers. I really like them. They are very heavy stock and available at a very low cost at Sam's (100 8.5x11 for about $22 - same price for 200 4x6) and come in either a glossy or a matte finish.

They also have specific profiles for some printers.

[Steelsun]

I use the ilford from Sam's too on 95% of my stuff.

For the extra special stuff, I use the best Kodak ones I can find (don't remember the name off hand, something like Super Premium Professional Extra or something). What I like about the Kodak is that it has the look and feel of Kodak processing, including the dimples backs and light blue/grey "processed by Kodak" or whatever on the back. I've handed those to many people who thought I actually had them lab processed.

[kimberley]

Is Kodak compatable with Epson printers do you know? Where do you find the "good" paper?

Kimberley

[lucian]

I spent a fortune trying to find a paper that looked good off my HP 1120C.

I use it now for 11x14's and use my Epson R300 for 8x10's.

I use Kodak paper in both of them. 99% of my work I use Kodak Ultima. For the 11x14's I use Kodak Premium Picture Paper. I sometimes use the Premium Picture Paper in 8.5X11 for non portrait work. It's 59 lb and the Ultima is heavier at 71 lb.

I normally pick it up at Office Max or Office Depot.

[labguy]

just wanted to see what the pros were using......

okay here's my 2cents, guaranteed to get negative replys for sure.

#1- "real pros" would not think of selling inkjet prints (except for the cheap'os, who are not really pros just greedy people who try to squeeze every penny they can from their customers.

#2 inkjet prints are tested under "dark storage." who displays prints in a dark box and not on the wall? uv rays, ozone and other airborne contaminates are the real culprits in print fading.

#3 "real pros" hardly have the time to edit digital images let alone spending the time and money to print themselves. clicking the shutter brings in lots more money than clicking the mouse to print. prints on real photo paper are time tested and proven to last longer, and prints from a real lab costs less than printing yourself if using "quality inkjet paper".

#4 "real pros" establish a relationship with their lab to become partners in their business endeavor. to offer service and guidance to promote their customers business.

#5 I'm not saying this to get business from forum members. We have more than enough business from pros that we can handle. just trying to guide and instill the pro business philosophy that have made us and our customers successful.

#6 when you offer 8x10 or 11x14 as the largest size, you're telling your customers and everyone else that you're a "cheepo" who offers inferior prints by printing yourself or sending to a drugstore.

can't hardly wait to hear responses!!!!!!!!!

[LoungeLizard]

Originally Posted by labguy

can't hardly wait to hear responses!!!!!!!!!

I guess I'm glad I answered before the "real pros" qualification was made!

I print at home for family snapshots. Would not sell something I print at home - mostly because my printer only does up to 8.5x11. For proofing and similar things, I find it adequate, but for anything else, I'd go where the "real pros" go - wherever that is!

[Jake]

Originally Posted by labguy

#3 "real pros" hardly have the time to edit digital images let alone spending the time and money to print themselves.

I dont know a lot of pros, but the ones I do Edit all their digital images.
Anyway, My epson does not like anything but Epson paper(which is great if you use luster or any high-in epson paper)and Ilford.

[jeffkohn]

okay here's my 2cents, guaranteed to get negative replys for sure.

Well, you did make some pretty broad (and in some cases inaccureate IMHO) generalizations.

#1- "real pros" would not think of selling inkjet prints (except for the cheap'os, who are not really pros just greedy people who try to squeeze every penny they can from their customers.

If you had said "dye-based inkjet prints" I might agree with you that real pros probably wouldn't do this. But for instance, Epson's Ultrachrome inkjets produce prints that will last considerably longer than the color prints from those Fuji Frontier or Chromira minilabs. And they'll also have greater resolution and wider color gamut. Fact is there are LOTs of respected pros using the Epson Ultrachrome printers. In fact, many of the "pro labs" use large-format versions of the Ultrachrome printers (7800, 9600).

#3 "real pros" hardly have the time to edit digital images let alone spending the time and money to print themselves. clicking the shutter brings in lots more money than clicking the mouse to print. prints on real photo paper are time tested and proven to last longer, and prints from a real lab costs less than printing yourself if using "quality inkjet paper".

Your definition of "real pros" must be pretty narrow. Some pros may crank out images by the hundreds and make their profits off volume, but there are plenty of others who put a little more effort into their work. Of course given the line of business you're in, I'm sure you much prefer the event photogs who drop off hundreds of images and pay you to do any correction or editing if necessary. ;)

#5 I'm not saying this to get business from forum members. We have more than enough business from pros that we can handle. just trying to guide and instill the pro business philosophy that have made us and our customers successful.

Well that's good, because the level of condescension in your post probably won't win you too many customers....

#6 when you offer 8x10 or 11x14 as the largest size, you're telling your customers and everyone else that you're a "cheepo" who offers inferior prints by printing yourself or sending to a drugstore.

Depends on the market and the needs of the customer I guess. I would imagine the demand for 20x30" prints of kids soccer games are in relatively low demand. On the other hand a fine-art landscape photographer will probably either have the capability to create large prints himself or outsource them to a lab.

[lucian]

I think labguy missed the mark.

The question was, "When printing at home what kind of paper does everyone use...?

The post was answered, appropriately.

The question was expanded with, "just wanted to see what the pros were using" and answered appropriately.

#1- "real pros" would not think of selling inkjet prints (except for the cheap'os, who are not really pros just greedy people who try to squeeze every penny they can from their customers.

Real pros meet their customers' needs and hopefully their expectations. Real pros offer a choice and advise their customers. Bottom line is real pros meet their customers' needs in quality, price and time.

#3 "real pros" hardly have the time to edit digital images

Real pros come in varying denominations. This real pro can and does make the time. Reason: I try to give my customer the highest quality image I can. I believe that the guy who captures the original image knows his/her customer's wants and expectations better than someone who is hundreds of miles away.

clicking the shutter brings in lots more money than clicking the mouse to print.

I think this is a very true statement. But some real pros who have a considerate relationship with their customers may put that relationship before the almighty dollar.

#4 "real pros" establish a relationship with their lab to become partners in their business endeavor

When I was on the east coast I had a terrific relationship with Vista Color Labs, five miles from my home. I shot 6x7 film. I was in their lab at least twice a week. Their quality and timeliness really helped my business. Many a wedding we shot was completed from proofing to fininished album in 30-45 days vice 2-3 months that other photogs were taking. We gave them a lot of business as did the guys who were on our payroll. We helped their business as they helped ours. We appreciated each other. I do wish I could find a lab like this closer to home.

#5 I'm not saying this to get business from forum members. We have more than enough business from pros that we can handle.

Good. And as the considerate type guy I am I won't do anything to clog your inbasket.

#6 when you offer 8x10 or 11x14 as the largest size, you're telling your customers and everyone else that you're a "cheepo" who offers inferior prints by printing yourself or sending to a drugstore.

This is a pretty broad statement. It also makes an unfair and unjustified assumption. You don't know who my customers are or what they want, need and expect. (My CHL customers are not likely to want a 16x20. They only need a 2x2.) Additionally it suggests that if someone doesn't do it your way then they are doing it wrong. (Sort of like saying all trucks need your gas.) This attitude will not build good "real pro-lab" relationships. IMHO the lab should cater to the real pros' egos not the other way around.

[imjamie]

Originally Posted by kimberley

When printing at home what kind of paper does everyone use....the good stuff?

I have the Epson R800, not too keen on the Epson papers....

Kimberley

In keeping with the original question above, since I'm no pro, I have a Canon i9900 printer and have found that other than Canon paper (which does fine) I prefer the Kodak Inkjet Professional papers, available in both lustre and gloss finish. It dries instantly and has the look and feel of traditional photographs. I also like the Red River line of papers, which also produce excellent results for me as well as the Ilford Gallerie paper which you can generally get dirt cheap at Sam's Club. Just my $.02

[labguy]

you all missed the point. my post was in regards to the following statement

Im printing at home for my customers and have been using Office Depot papaer, good price and pic look good, just wanted to see what the pros were using......

just my opinion but i think it's obscene to charge money for an inkjet print. any manufacturer can make claims about their ink and paper since there are no standards for testing (tests are usually under dark storage) . humidity, ozone and other airborne contaminates are more of a culprit than UV.

when off brand paper and ink is used......how long will they last? weeks? months? a few years? forever???

nothing wrong with printing personal pix at home, i do it and so do my children. it's fun and cool to see the image instantly.

went to my nephews graduation in Dallas 2 weeks ago, paid $1600 for inkjet prints for senior pix. after the pix were passed around and got to me, they were full of smudges and fingerprints. told my brother to return them and demand real prints or demand money back. for $1600 he wanted to be sure they would be around for the next generation