Your ink / paper combination

[Flying Scotsman]

Hi
It has been discussed on various forums that different ink can perform better on different papers.
So can you please post what ink and paper you are using that gives the best results.

Thanks

 

[The Hat]

That’s impossible to answer accurately, because not everyone uses the same paper type, it’s like asking how long is your piece of string.

The only sure way to get a good combination that works for your printer is to test some of the many quality papers that’s easily available to you, many papers suppliers will have sample packs that cost less than a tenner... (start with 4 x 6)

It may not be the answer you were looking for but shortcuts can lead you up the wrong and expensive path, what works for one printer might not work for yours, there are as many printers as there are photo papers.

Matte, Canvas, Satin, Semi-gloss and full Gloss will all print and look very different, but it’s the one that you mostly like is what really counts, and the only way is to have it physically viewing it in your hands, sorry for been so blunt.

Now somebody with lots of photography experience will inevitability come to your rescue with a few photo papers that they use successfully, and rightly so, but your then tasked with getting a pack of each of these various papers to find one that is suitable to you, back to that Feckin string again...

P.S. All photo papers will work to a certain degree on your printer, just because it says Epson or Canon on the pack means absolutely nothing, let the printer decide...

 

[stratman]

There are a number of variables involved as @The Hat discusses.

You need to specify which printer and inkset combination (OEM Canon or specific third party inks) you want to get opinions on. Also, need to know if a custom ICC is used. Last is the paper type and the settings used to print.

All of this is subject to one's opinion of the finished product, the most elusive variable of all.

 

[mikling]

I am going to add more to this. Despite what the paper makers say, one model brand /model of paper is never universally superior to another. There are many components to a "paper". Different makes and models of paper react with the same identical ink differently both in the printed color and durability. Multiply this by multiple colors. and you see yourself in a soup. So you may get one paper giving better blues but it somehows mutes the yellow. Another might do the opposite. So you quickly see that there is no BEST paper for all purposes. Then there is the look of the surface that all papers have. The preferred look is purely subjective. Then there is the weight of thickness and also stiffness and the two are not always correlated. then there are non yellowing papers and then there are bright papers.

So you see, believing that one paper rules all is not going to work.

Having said that, there are some papers which you will come across that are inexpensive and simply do not perform well in all factors except one. PRICE. However, notice the the word "some". Some inexpensive papers despite their cost, perform remarkably well.

Also consider that there are very few paper mills that produce photo paper, different brands order up models of paper like choosing a menu and market them differently....just like a restaurant. At the end of the day, it is just sugar salt spices and meat etc. But there are a multitude of restaurants and menus. Which is the best restaurant?

 

[Flying Scotsman]

I use two types of paper canon glossy and ilford but I am willing to try anything. I was just looking for someone who does photography to say he has had good results by using a canon printer with this ink and this paper.
Nothing scientific just that they were pleased with the results. There's so many different types of inks and paper I was just wondering what other people are using and are happy with the results they are getting.

 

[apetitphoto]

It's good that you added the "happy with the results they get," as this is entirely subjective. What I, as a photographer do, is send most work out of house as I can't justify the expense of a large 40-inch or larger printer and the working room to do gallery wraps in house. For my Internal work and occasional customer needs I use the following, fully aware of its limitations:

Epson 3620
Precision Color inks
Profiles made with a ColorMunki Pro

The following papers:
Plain inkjet/office, Epson brochure matte, Red River (RR) 68lb polar pearl metallic, RR 75lb arctic polar Luster, RR 68lb ultra pro gloss 2.0, 68lb aurora art natural.

The papers were chosen based on "feel" as well as appearance. Not every image will work on any paper. I tend to prefer portraits on matte or canvas. Some things work better on metallic. I created a test print composed of several of my images and a "standard" reference image that I used to make these selections.

As I said earlier, it's all subjective. Get some sampler packs and print to see what you like.

 

[Roy Sletcher]

I use two types of paper canon glossy and ilford but I am willing to try anything. I was just looking for someone who does photography to say he has had good results by using a canon printer with this ink and this paper.
Nothing scientific just that they were pleased with the results. There's so many different types of inks and paper I was just wondering what other people are using and are happy with the results they are getting.

You may be better advised to visit a few of the many photography forums
and sample some of the opinions there. Printer Knowledge tends to be gear driven and more or a technical site, rather than an artistic site.

Secondly, because of the high weight to size ratio paper is expensive to ship. A supplier close to your geographic region that holds a wide inventory would be a good choice.

Even if or when you do find a site where you can get good advicde you will run into the "obsessive fanboy" mentality pushing a particular favourite rather than an objective evidence based evaluation.

The Hats advice to try some sample packs is in my opinion the best advice.

The couple of links below are from a local Canadian site reviewing papers that I think are internationally available.


https://luminous-landscape.com/whats-the-gold-standard-of-inkjet-papers/


Mark is a local well known Fine Art Printmaker. His reviews below are detailed, comparative, comprehensive, and evidence based.
https://luminous-landscape.com/eight-papers-review-eight-papers/


rs

 

[Flying Scotsman]

Thank you for taking the time to add your thoughts. That is all I am looking for just combinations that people are happy with.
If more members would like to add their ink / paper set up it would be much appreciated.
Thanks again