You might be right in thinking that the two main fine art printer companies – Canon and Epson would like you to utilise their own brand of printing paper. But what many people don’t know is there are other photographic paper producers such as Moab that have created some insanely brilliant 'museum-quality' photographic papers that really bring a unique look to your fine art photographic prints.
Japanese Love Hotel.
Moab were kind enough to send us some of their award winning Entrada Rag Natural Coldpress 300 (13" x 19") textured matte paper and we married this with the excellent top-of-the-line Epson Surecolor P906 printer.
The listed qualities of this paper are:
- 300 gsm / 18 mil
- Whiteness 70
- Natural / OBA Free
- 100% cotton / machine made
- Natural White
- Single Sided
- Water-resistant
- Pigment (recommended) / Dye
What we loved about this paper
My go-to style of paper is usually a Baryta Rag Semi Gloss – though printing on this Entrada paper has convinced me that I now have an equal favourite – in fact I prefer the Entrada in a lot of circumstances as it is so unusual in comparison to 'normal' photographic paper.
Naturally, it's challenging to describe the texture accurately without you (the reader) being able to physically touch the paper, but I must emphasise that the tactile experience is truly remarkable. The heavy 300GSM weight is perfect and has a quality that many papers don’t exude.
You can see in this side lit image how textured it is. Going off other heavily textured paper I have used in the past, I usually found that the ink ‘bled’ a little and although still sharp, it wasn’t ideal. With the Entrada I was blown away with the level of sharpness.
You can see the texture in the white of the paper and in the print itself. Interestingly, the texture
is more muted from normal viewing conditions and absorbs any reflections from extraneous lighting.
We are so used to seeing things on screen and flicking mindlessly through images. But an image on this paper has a real ‘wow’ factor for anyone who touches it – it really elevates the work.
Original image by Tim Levy. Shinjuku at Dusk.
Do you need to calibrate everything?
The common issue with printing is there are so many variables between the screen, the printing software, the printer and the paper itself. Usually a professional printer has everything calibrated as closely as possible, so that what is on the screen is what you get in print. But you'll find that even if you ‘sit in’ on a large art print at a professional print studio – they'll still do a small test print or test strip to validate what the end print would look like.
In this case, even with our rudimentary setup printing straight from a Macbook Pro, we obtained excellent initial test results. Just don't forget to download the ICC profiles from Moab to match the paper with the printer brand.
Other Moab photographic papers I can recommend are:
The Juniper Baryta Rag 305 is a semi-gloss 100% cotton rag that is what I call 'the in-between paper', meaning that it has a very slight texture, and it still feels a bit matte, yet is still has a gloss to it. It's reminiscent of Canson Platine Fibre Rag for those in the know.
High-gloss colour images also look great, though it is a highly reflective paper. Original image: Jim LaSala
The Slickrock Metallic Pearl 260 harks back to the days of high glossy, contrast of metallic Cibrachrome prints. This would suit glossy colourful images such as colourful exotic cars, 1980's fashion, or neon lit rainy streetscapes.
You can see the large fibres impregnated in the paper. Original image: Stephen Vanasco
Moenkopi Unryu 55 is like no other paper I've seen – it has the feel of fine textured wrapping paper with random large long hemp fibres throughout. It gives images an etherial whimiscal painterly vibe to an appropriate image.
The wrap up
So, in a world saturated with digital images, there's a unique joy in holding a tangible photograph in your hands, feeling its texture, and admiring its vibrant colors or subtle tones. Printing your own photographic prints not only preserves your memories in a tangible form, but also adds a personal touch to your living space.
Whether it's a cherished family portrait, a beautiful landscape, or a candid street photography moment, printing your photos allows you to showcase your creativity and relive your favourite moments every day. Try printing today and turn your photos into cherished keepsakes that you can treasure for years to come.
You can see the range of Moab photographic paper on the Total Image Supplies website.
If you really want a deep dive into 'Mastering the Print Process' then watch this video on Mastering the Print Process featuring Moab paper.
Further reading – choosing the right type of paper for right image
The choice of photographic paper depends on various factors such as the type of photo, desired finish, and intended use. Here's a general guide:
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Glossy Paper: Ideal for vibrant and colourful images with high contrast. Glossy paper provides a shiny finish that enhances colour saturation and sharpness. It's suitable for photos with rich colours and high detail, such as landscapes, portraits, and still life images.
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Matte Paper: Matte paper offers a non-reflective surface, making it suitable for images where glare is undesirable. It provides a soft, subtle look and is great for portraits, black and white photos, and images with a more subdued color palette. Matte paper is also preferred for displaying images in well-lit environments.
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Lustre/Satin Paper: Lustre or satin paper strikes a balance between glossy and matte finishes. It offers a slight sheen while reducing glare, making it versatile for a wide range of photos. Lustre paper is often used for portraits, wedding photos, and commercial prints.
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Metallic Paper: Metallic paper has a unique reflective surface that adds depth and dimension to images. It enhances colours and creates a metallic sheen, making it well-suited for photos with vibrant colours, landscapes, and images with metallic elements.
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Fine Art Paper: Fine art paper is designed for archival-quality prints with exceptional colour accuracy and longevity. It comes in various textures such as smooth, textured, or canvas-like finishes. Fine art paper is commonly used for high-end prints, art reproductions, and exhibition-quality photographs.
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Canvas: Canvas prints offer a textured, painterly look that adds character to images. Canvas is suitable for large-format prints, art reproductions, and images intended for display without glass or framing. It provides a classic, timeless appeal and is often used for landscapes, portraits, and fine art photography.
