Fine Art Papers

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Anima Templi

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Hi

Unsure where to post this one.

Has anyone used Fine Art Papers (Innova?) in the Epson R800 or similar A4 printer? Do they work? I'm recently over to digital from traditional printing and like the feel of these papers as they replicate what I'm used to. But will A4 printers accept them due to their thickness?

I would appreciate any help.
 
I've used 240gsm paper in my R200 before now without difficulty and it does envelopes so I can't see why thicker paper would not work.
 
Thanks Steep.
We're talking 300 gsm here. They will not go thgrough HP A4 printers due to paper path. I dont want to get an R800 and find it doesn't work either. I rang Innova and they test the papers on A2 printers which aint much help either. A3 printers are a bit out of my reach right now.
 
I know my Dad uses fine art paper he has tried lots and tends to use Hahnenulle (sp?) but he uses an A3 Epson 2400 IIRC
 
Ok here is the answer you are looking for so listen up..... ;)

I am currently using a HP B9180 printer, and use to use a Epson 1290.

It really depends on what kind of texture paper you are talking about. Innova is run by the Ex CEO of Hannamule so their range is quite similar. They make a range of papers, which have a range of textures. I really like their Cotton Natural white paper. The problem with Innova, and to some degree with other paper makers is that their ICC profiles for my printer are not great.

If you want textured paper that is going to give you good colour and has good ICC profiles, at a reasonable price, I might try the Calumet Museum series. I have used their satin natural white papers and they seem quite good.

Currently my standard Matt paper is Permajet Matt Pluss (245). It is has an acurate ICC profile and is quite reasonable.

For glossy papers I usually use Ilford gallery smooth pearl. This is a 290 paper that is the standard paper for my folio prints, and feels like a photograph.

Another paper I like is Permajet Artist Classic which has nice texture for more abstract images.

The one thing you are going to have to remember is that you need to have some skill in soft proofing and tweaking colours to get the best out of some of the matt papers.
 
According to the specs..The R800 will take up to 255 g/m2. That's the spec for Epson's heaviest Photo paper
 
That's my point Chappers. Most Art Papers are heavier than 255gm2 (285+) and wont go through the R800. Also as the R1800 is said to be an extended bed version of the R800 presumably that one is no good either.

Surely for a photo printer to be a photo printer it should be able to handle photo papers, which are designed to replicate traditional photos? (thats a lot of photos!)

I do not understand why Printer Manufacturers would make their units so restrictive in the media that can be used with them.
 
Id be intersted in hearing the outcome of this lot Anima Templi. Hope you get it all working. What inks are you using on the R800? Also does anyone know if you can get a sample pack of a range of Ilford, Innova or Hannamule papers so I can see (and feel) what they are like?
 
The R1800 seems to be more than an extended bed version. I've checked with the Epson web site and they are quoting specialist media up to 500+ g/m2 for this machine.

Just had a conversation ( Interactive ) with Epson and they confirm the heaviest paper that the R800 will handle is 255 g/m2
 
Thanks Chappers. The R1800 might be an option then, I just wish the problem could be solved without going the A3 route as a) Space is tight. b) Budget is tighter. c) I only print A4 at biggest (back to a & b again).
 
Thanks Messiah. I only use Epson Inks due to being paranoid about head clogging (the printers not mine).

The sample packs I've seen sample the premium weight papers which are too heavy. I currently have two boxes of Innova papers (Fibaprint Warm Tone and Smooth White Cotton) waiting (demanding) to be used and tested, and all I can do is gaze lovingly at the boxes and dream. It's very sad.
 
Anima

The R1800 has been discontinued, and checking the specs on the R1900 it doesn't seem to be able to take the thicker paper.

Looks like its the R2400 route. Or use thinner paper. You may want to try the Permajet range. They do sample packs for about £10 if my memory serves me correct and they have some really thick paper in the set. may be worth a try

I'm in a similar position, only it's either the R1900 or R2400. Latter looks like winning at the moment

You might want to look at HP or Canon?

Try this site it may help

http://www.photo-i.co.uk/

Hope it all works out
 
Thanks Chappers. I will have a look at the permajet range although I think I will need to look at the R1900 or R2400 like yourself. Will you let me know how you get on if you do invest? Really appreciate your help and advice.
 
@Anima Templi:
I would not be so quick to dismiss a printer you might otherwise like just because of a paper rating. I put alot of 290 weight paper through my 1290, which if I remember correctly is not rated for that.

If you are going to look at something bigger then A4 like a R1800 or R1900, then you might want to have a look at some other brand options like the HP 9180 (will print on 400 weight canvas) or the cheaper newer HP B8850 (same as 9180 but without printer server built in I think). Sadly if you want roll paper handling the only one left in this size is the Epson R2400.

If you are not absolutely determined on pigment printers, the Epson 1400 might be a nice middle ground in terms of price. Also you should note that dye based printers tend to have better colour range (slightly) on matt papers, and will not have the same bronzing problems as pigment printers on gloss papers. Also print life should still be quite good if you are mainly printing on matt papers.

As for Permajet, they do really good sample packs of their fine art paper range with two sheets of 15 or so kinds of paper in the pack so you can try them all for about £15 (from memory). The only two issues are that they are not marked so you have to try and keep track of which is which, and also having to install the ICC profiles for all those papers on your computer. Permajet actually make canvas in sheets so if you get something like the HP B9180 you can make your own canvas prints.


@Messiah Khan:
It is possible to get sample packs for Hannamule and Innova papers, but not really for the papers you actually want to try (Bamboo, Bayeta,). If you are getting Hannemule in many places they will give you a sample pack of your choice for free. As for Ilford, the paper is so cheap you might as well just get a normal pack to try, and since many places are doing buy one pack get the second half price, why not?

But if by Ilford you mean Harman, then you can certainly get sample packs of their fiber based paper, which is very good, especially the warmtone. But then the price of the actually paper is just too much compared to the equivalent Permajet or even Hannamule.
 
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