I am still using a 7600 with standard Ultrachrome. I may get the Cone Edition replacement K3 set. Either way, I am looking for a recommendation on a roll paper with this "air dry" (old "F" surface air dried look) coating. There are a lot of brands from Crane to Epson Exhibition Fiber to Lexjet. The Epson is very white and very thick. Does not come in rolls.

Anyone got a fave?
Anyone switch to the Cone K3 inkset?

I like the Museo Silver Rag and the Epson Exhibition Fiber.

While shopping the other day I noticed that the Colorado Fiber By Moab looks similar to the Epson Exhibition Fiber. I check the site and it does come in rolls. Its thinner too.

I just printed my portfolio with my R2400 on Hahnemuhle Fine Art Baryta 325g. It has become my new fave. Rich color with a thick and heavy feel.

Luminous Landscape has done several reviews on the Baryta papers. They seem to prefer the Ilford, which is nice too and less expensive. I saw a full range of paper samples at Samy's Camera in Culver City, CA and the Ilford appears to have slightly less texture.

The Ilford Gold Silk is my favorite. Haven't tried the others yet.

I feel out of the loop on papers these days since I settled on Hahnemuhle Photorag Duo 316 a few years ago for my Books - its kinda hard to just switch to a new paper since everything would have to be reprinted.

Its been a few years and I am getting really tired of the PhotoRag paper and would like something with a bit more punch since this paper has almost none.

Are any of these papers listed in this thread double sided????

what a pisser - I just discovered that the PhotoRag Duo 316 has been discontinued - so I guess I am forced to reprint all of my books with a new paper just so everything matches - hmmm - fun times

shapps,

I decided to just print right facing pages, mainly because the paper is one sided! But the new Baryta papers will definitely give you the punch, and not feel all plasticky.

The Ilford ironically enough has a coated feeling back side that when held does feel kind of like RC paper.

going back to a right sided only book would throw things off for me a bit - but it would make producing the books so much easier. I am not sure that I am ready to go the way of just a single side yet. I will be searching tomorrow for an answer.

I have tried all of the newer papers listed. They are all excellent in one way or another (I am off work, spending a lot of time printing. I tested 30+ papers on 3 printers.)

My favorite is Epson Exhibition Fiber. My second choice is Harmon Glossy Ai, which does come in rolls. It is very smooth though, not a good choice for a book?

It really comes down to personal preferenece. I saw someone on Luminous list their preferences among 5 papers, and mine were exactly the reverse. Get a sample kit from someone like www.booksmartstudio.com/store/ and do some testing.

Don't expect to be knocked off of your feet at first. The difference from something good quality like Premium Luster is subtle. But as you get used to the feel, depth of the image, etc., it soon becomes apparent - there ain't no going back.

I still have Moab Entrada double-sided, pre-punched sheets that I will use in my portfolio. When those are gone, I will either go single sided, as mentioned, or try to glue one of the thinner papers back-to-back. More likely the first route.

Most have fairly fragile surfaces and will need to be sprayed to be used in a book, unfortunate as that is.

Thank you all for the feedback. Has anyone done the Ultrachrome to K3 Cone swap on a 2200 or 7600?

Also, are you all using photo black or matte black on these papers?

Photo Black

quote:

done the Ultrachrome to K3 Cone swap on a 2200 or 7600?

I think it depends on your goals.

You are going to have to make custom profiles. Plus you need to go with Cone carts or refillable carts.

If you are going to do that, you can go to **any** ink set you want, including Epson K3.

I don't trust an unproven ink set for final prints. So I have an Epson 7880 running K3 Vivid for final/production prints.

For my two Epson 7600's, I swapped one from Ultrachrome to a non-OEM dye inkset. That costs about $27 per liter, vs. $185 liter for the Cone.

Better gamut, better gloss, less clogging, probably much worse longevity. I use it for printing **lots** of cheap 24x30 inch proofs at less than $2. each on Epson Premium Semi-gloss.

The other 7600 I converted to a matte B&W ink set that I mixed myself - from Paul Roark instructions - Carbon 6. It also costs about $30 a liter, vs. $1000+ for a Cone 7 liter set. The B&W one probably has better longevity, being based on pure carbon, than the dye.

quote:

Also, are you all using photo black or matte black on these papers?

Phatte Black with Imageprint

bobaluee,

I use Epson MK/7600 because my personal work is on UltraSmooth and Hahnemuhle Rag. I also print for clients who need matte prints. Those who wanted to print on glossy stock never wanted to pay for the switching over of inks.

Scotti