Papers continue to evolve for pigment ink printing. New developments provide greater image quality, durability, and character. This can be a problem if an artist wants to create the same print several years after printing the original edition. We can help an artist make as close a match as possible, but as printers, we are compelled to support improvements in the materials we use.
We continue to test new papers, deal with manufacturing issues, and revise our list, so keep an eye on the date of the review and expect this list to continue to change.
Main Paper Categories:
Matte
Watercolor (cold-pressed papers)
Etching (traditional printmaking papers)
Smooth Matte (hot pressed papers)
Japanese papers (Mulberry, bamboo, hand made)
Glossy
Platine (slight texture cotton papers)
Baryta (smooth light gloss papers)
RC (resin coated papers most similar to traditional c-print)
Smooth Matte (Hot Press)
A truly smooth matte paper that does not overstate its presence, allowing the photograph to be the subject matter. This is the most popular category of paper that we print on. We search for the highest quality, technical paper to enable the print to quietly impress.
Textured Matte (Cold Press)
When a little more paper character is desired, texture can add to the aesthetic. Traditionally known for its soft printing characteristics, the newest breeds are excellent at expressing rich, deep contrasts, and colors.
Cotton Rag (Rag)
Made from 100% cotton fibers and historically considered to be the highest quality fine art paper support, manufacturing advances have helped other fibers match cotton’s quality and longevity.
Fiber Based (FB)
Made from wood pulp, this paper can be made not only into high quality support, but is also often used in low quality, acidic papers.
Resin Coated (RC)
Most comparable to traditional photo lab color papers, these polyethylene coated papers offer very good qualities but its plastic appearance does not appeal to all. It comes in smooth (glossy) and varying levels of textured surfaces (luster, pearl and matte), but since the polyethylene is naturally shiny, it will always have some reflectance versus cotton rag’s matte potential.
Semigloss Fine Art Papers
A new category initiated in 2004 by Crane papers with the release of their Crane Museo Silver Rag, it was designed to match the papers used for an extinct, but beautiful color printing process made famous when the MoMA exhibited the dye-transfer prints from William Eggleston in 1976. The papers are either cotton rag or high-quality fiber-based papers with a semi-gloss ink receiving layer.
Baryta papers
A subcategory of the semi-gloss fine art papers, this type of paper has an additional coating to improve brightness and smooth the coating. While we love the look, there are recurring production issues with these papers and it is proving to be nearly impossible to obtain a blemish-free large print. Small prints do not have the same challenges.
Some of the Papers We Stock
Epson Hot Press Bright – As you mentioned, this is a popular option known for its smooth and bright surface.
Epson Cold Press Bright – Similar to Hot Press but with a textured surface for a more traditional fine art look.
Hahnemühle Photo Rag – A classic fine art paper with a smooth surface that’s ideal for high-resolution printing.
Hahnemühle PhotoRag Baryta – This paper is designed to mimic the look and feel of traditional darkroom baryta papers, offering deep blacks and rich contrast.
Canson Infinity Platine Fibre Rag – A cotton rag paper with a high Dmax, providing excellent black density and sharpness.
Hahnemühle FineArt Pearl – A glossy paper with a pearl-like surface that’s suitable for a wide range of photographic applications.
Hahnemühle Bamboo Fine Art Paper – Made from bamboo fibers, this paper is known for its sustainability and unique texture.
Canson Infinity Baryta Photographique II – Another baryta-style paper known for its glossy surface and high Dmax.
Canson Infinity Rag Photographique – A smooth and matte fine art paper suitable for both black-and-white and color printing.
Ilford Galerie Prestige Gold Fibre Silk – A baryta-style paper with a semi-gloss surface that’s great for reproducing both color and black-and-white images.
Moab Entrada Rag – A 100% cotton paper with a fine art matte finish known for its color accuracy.
Canson Infinity Edition Etching Rag – A heavyweight fine art paper with a velvety matte surface suitable for fine art photography.
Canson Infinity Rag Museum – A heavy, 100% cotton paper with a textured surface reminiscent of traditional etching papers.
Epson Exhibition Fiber Paper – A semi-gloss baryta-style paper designed for gallery-quality photo prints.
Moab Slickrock Metallic Silver – A metallic paper with a glossy surface that adds a unique shine and depth to your prints.
Canson Infinity Aquarelle Rag – A textured, heavyweight fine art paper designed to replicate the look of traditional watercolor papers.
Hahnemühle Torchon – A watercolor-style textured paper that adds a unique artistic touch to your prints.
Epson Velvet Fine Art Paper – A textured, 100% cotton rag paper with a soft and velvety surface.
Canson Infinity Rag Photographique Duo – A double-sided fine art paper with a smooth matte surface on one side and a textured surface on the other.
Epson Legacy Platine – A baryta-style paper designed for fine art and black-and-white printing with excellent archival qualities.
Hahnemühle William Turner – A heavyweight textured fine art paper that mimics the look and feel of traditional etching papers.
Ilford Galerie Prestige Smooth Pearl – A versatile paper with a pearl-like surface that’s suitable for a wide range of photographic applications.
Moab Juniper Baryta Rag – A baryta-style paper with a smooth, bright white surface that’s ideal for high-quality printing.
Hahnemühle Photo Silk Baryta – A satin baryta paper that provides a silky, smooth finish for your prints.
Japanese Fiber Papers
Hiromi Paper IJ KL Niyodo Kozo
Awagami Unryu
Moenkodi Kozo White