Any other swellable polymer papers?

[Paul Verizzo]

The swellable photo paper is too easy to get humidity damage. A touch of your finger could leave a permanent mark on the surface. So practically it is a useless paper regardless it prints and looks better. Have you checked out the Kirkland brand glossy photo paper from Costco? It was rumored that it was actually made by Ilford. It gives you the look of a swellable paper but it is almost like a resin coated paper. I tried it by washing a print under a water faucet. It washed off maybe 20% of the ink. This is pretty good because it basically eliminates or minimizes the damage from handling by hands.

Don't tell those problems to HP. They didn't seem to affect HP sales, paper or printers.

Ilford makes microporous, too, you know. Even if they do make Kirkland, it's almost assuredly microporous, don't want complaints from those pigment users, you know? Further, I don't want to spend $50 for a Costco membership, doesn't make sense for me. And if Ilford makes Kirkland, and Ilford stops production, where does that leave Kirkland? Same place.

Resin Coated has zero to do with the look or feel of the image layer. The layer(s) of polyethylene are just for reducing the effects of humidity on the paper and eliminate any paper/coating interaction.

 

[Paul Verizzo]

That link doesn't seem to go anywhere.

Ah, yes, those infuriating google abbreviating ................. dots.

Since one can't copy the correct URL, do a google search for "hp hybrid paper -thermal photo" The top two sites came up with the same HP paper, different name. Or, email me and I"ll send. paulv..........at..........paulv.net .

 

[Roy Sletcher]

Ilford have decided to stop production of the Galerie classic Pearl which is one of their most popular swellable papers. I too am looking for alternatives.

I keep seeing these references to the demise of the Galerie classic line without any substantiating data or attribution.

The Galerie Classic line is still being promoted on the Ilford website, so I am hoping you are wrong. See link below:

http://www.ilford.com/en/products/galerie/classic/classicMedia.asp

Can you give a credible source for your information, as I for one will be very sorry to see it disappear. It is one of my favourite papers, and seems to bring out the best in the Pro9000 Mk11.


Roy Sletcher

 

[Redbrickman]

Roy,

I cannot give any link to an official statement but several stores are now showing that it is discontinued...

USA

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/231252-REG/Ilford_1979257_Galerie_Classic_Pearl_Paper.html

UK

http://www.specialistinks.com/il-classic-pearl.php


I do hope you are correct and they carry on, but all seems to point to the end of Pearl as we know it

 

[Paul Verizzo]

I've sent an email inquiry to Ilford. What with time zone differences, I imagine I'll have an answer in the AM.

 

[Roy Sletcher]

Roy,

I cannot give any link to an official statement but several stores are now showing that it is discontinued...

USA

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/231252-REG/Ilford_1979257_Galerie_Classic_Pearl_Paper.html

UK

http://www.specialistinks.com/il-classic-pearl.php


I do hope you are correct and they carry on, but all seems to point to the end of Pearl as we know it

Unfortunately I suspect you are right. Especially B&H who I consider the gold standard of reliability.

Won't be the first time that a manufacturer has been slow in updating their website.

Guess our only "faint" hope is that Ilford will be bringing out a new improved version. Not holding my breath though.

Roy Sletcher
The Original "Grumpy old man"

 

[Grandad35]

Ilford have decided to stop production of the Galerie classic Pearl which is one of their most popular swellable papers. I too am looking for alternatives.

I just received a shipment of 13x19 Ilford Classic Pearl from B&H. In stock and free shipping with a 2 day delivery (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/231277-REG/Ilford_1980219_Galerie_Classic_Pearl_Paper.html).

Perhaps they only discontinued the 8.5 x 11? One sheet of 13x19 makes two 8.5 x 11 (plus waste), in a pinch.

 

[pgobkac]

I just received a shipment of 13x19 Ilford Classic Pearl from B&H. In stock and free shipping with a 2 day delivery

Do you have experience using pigment ink with this paper?
Dye only? Either?

Note: "Add to cart to get lower price" ...

 

[Grandad35]

Do you have experience using pigment ink with this paper?
Dye only? Either?

Note: "Add to cart to get lower price" ...

AFAIK, swellable papers cannot be used with pigment inks. In any case, you shouldn't need the additional ozone fade resistance provided by the swellable layer when using pigment ink.

Yes - I got the special price.

 

[Paul Verizzo]

A couple of months ago there was no free shipping on Ilford Clasic, now there is. Two possible interpretations are 1) Get rid of stock since its no longer available, or 2) just make it equal in price to the HP paper.

I recently got an order of papers from Adorama. The HP Everyday appears to be the basic swellable polymer like on the more expensive papers. But it is only $15 for a 100 sheets. If you don't want or need heavy paper, this is a great value.

I got a sample of Inkjet Press Warm Baryta since it was cheap. I was amazed to find it isn't microporous, at least based on the finger across the surface test. As it is for both dye and pigment inks, I presumed it would be microporous on baryta or some hybrid thingy. If it isn't microporous, what is it? If it's old fashioned gelatin on baryta, that would make it swellable polymer and not appropriate for pigment inks. So, ??????

No, I've not had the time to test these papers.