Paper Types & Printing

This page summarises the main papers that I use for my printing needs, as well has how I produce professional-grade prints with consistent colour reproduction.

Epson Premium Semigloss

This is my go-to paper for most glossy print needs. This paper provides an extremely good match for the UltraChrome K3 inks that are used by my Epson professional printer (see below). It is a semi-gloss, bright-white, instant-drying paper on a resin-coated (RC) base. This RC barrier allows the paper to maintain vivid, lifelike colors as high-quality photographic prints. The lifespan of prints on this paper in conjunction with UltraChrome inks will last for several decades in appropriate viewing and storage environments. See more information on print longevity below.

  • Basis weight: 165 gsm
  • Thickness: 7 mil (1 mil = 1/1000th of an inch)

60lb. Pecos River Gloss (Red River Paper, USA)

An excellent paper with a high gloss front and plain paper back, 60lb. Pecos River Gloss is the ideal glossy for my greeting cards. Pecos Gloss’s plain paper back means you can print text and light graphics on the back of the paper (inside of your folded cards).

Thanks to its brilliant white tone, color on Pecos pop and blacks are rich and deep. The thickness is particularly perfect for greeting cards, ensuring they stand upright without support.

  • Basis weight: 230 gsm
  • Thickness: 10 mil (1 mil = 1/1000th of an inch)

Hahnemühle Photo Rag® Baryta

Premium, glossy fine art paper from Hahnemühle. It is a thicker paper than the Epson semigloss paper mentioned above. The combination of the cotton artist paper and the high-gloss inkjet coating lends FineArt prints a striking character with a beautiful, elegant sheen, without glare. Photo Rag® Baryta is acid- and lignin-free and meets the most exacting requirements in terms of age resistance. Choose this option if you have very demanding archival and longevity needs or if reducing glare is an important concern for you.

  • Basis weight: 315 gsm, 100% cotton
  • Thickness: 16.93 mil (1 mil = 1/1000th of an inch)
  • White, without optical brighteners
  • Exquisite surface texture
  • High-gloss premium inkjet coating for outstanding print results
  • Acid- and lignin-free
  • ISO 9706 conform / museum quality for highest age resistance.

68lb. UltraPro Satin 4.0 (Red River Paper, USA)

I use this paper mostly for square format, on-demand printing (special requests).Thus it is not available as a standard option in my store since not all images are adaptable to a square format. It looks and feels just like photo lab satin – a lightly textured surface that breaks up reflections and minimises fingerprints. A brilliant, bold white, it is particularly good at reproducing deep blacks and higher contrast.

  • Paper Weight: 68lb (270gsm) – Traditional photo lab paper weight/thickness
  • Thickness: 10.4mil

Why choose glossy prints?

1. Vibrancy and Color Depth

  • Brighter Colors: Glossy finishes enhance the saturation and vibrancy of colors, making images pop. This is ideal for images with rich colors, such as landscapes, wildlife, and vivid nature scenes.
  • Sharper Details: Glossy paper generally offers a higher perceived contrast and sharpness. This makes fine details stand out more, which is great for high-resolution photography where clarity is key.

2. Deep Blacks and High Contrast

  • Glossy prints deliver deeper blacks and higher contrast, giving images a crisp, polished look. This is especially beneficial in astro or night photography, where contrasts between light and dark can be dramatic.

3. Reflective Surface

  • Shiny Finish: The gloss adds a shiny, polished look, giving images a professional or high-end aesthetic. This can make photographs feel more vibrant and alive.
  • Presentation: Glossy prints tend to be more eye-catching when displayed, as the reflective surface can enhance the visual appeal of an image under good lighting.

4. Best for Display and Albums

  • Display Appeal: For photographs that will be framed or displayed, glossy paper provides a sleek, modern look that draws attention, making it suitable for galleries, exhibitions, or client presentations.
  • Photo Albums: Glossy paper is often preferred for albums due to its smooth texture and high-impact visuals. It gives a clean, classic look that many people associate with traditional photography.

5. Portraits and Nature Photography

  • Portraits: Glossy finishes can make skin tones look more natural and lively, often favored in portrait photography for their smooth and polished appearance.
  • Nature: For your work in nature and wildlife, glossy paper can enhance the vibrancy of natural scenes, making foliage, animals, and sky stand out.

Other considerations for choosing glossy paper

  • Fingerprints: Glossy prints are more prone to fingerprints and smudging, so they need careful handling.
  • Glare: The reflective surface can cause glare, especially under direct light, which might make it difficult to view from certain angles.
  • Framing: If you’re framing prints behind glass, glossy prints can create double reflections.

 

Printing

I use the Epson 3880 Pro printer for my fine art prints because it offers exceptional quality, control, and consistency, which are critical for my work. One of the standout features of this printer is its use of Epson’s UltraChrome K3 ink, a pigment-based system that provides vibrant, true-to-life colors with excellent durability. The range of blacks and greys produced by the three-level black ink technology ensures smooth gradations and deep contrast, especially important for high-dynamic range and monochrome images. This makes the Epson 3880 ideal for accurately reproducing the nuanced tones in my images.

Color accuracy is a top priority for me, especially when producing fine art prints that will be displayed or sold. The Epson 3880 offers meticulous color calibration options that allow me to fine-tune the output to match the original image as closely as possible. To further enhance this process, I use dedicated ICC profiles for each type of paper, ensuring that the color response is perfectly tailored to the specific medium. Combined with calibrated monitors, this system provides the highest level of control, guaranteeing that what I see on screen is faithfully reproduced on paper.

I also appreciate the attention to detail and quality that the printer allows me to bring to each print. Whether I’m printing large-scale panoramas or smaller, detailed pieces, the Epson 3880 delivers consistent results that meet my high standards. Its ability to print on a variety of media, including fine art papers, gives me the flexibility to choose the best surface for each project. With this printer I can print as large as A2 with very high confidence and little paper/ink wastage – I can trust it for important print jobs without worry.

Its high-capacity ink cartridges are efficient and cost-effective, allowing me to focus more on the creative process and less on frequent maintenance. For a photographer whose reputation is built on quality and precision, the Epson 3880 Pro printer is an essential tool that enables me to consistently deliver stunning fine art prints.