Can You Recommend Readily Available Paper for Epson 2880 B&W/Sepia Prints?

[Brent Long]

I'm sorry to say, but I'm kinda behind the proverbial 8'ball here. I have to print around 12~13 images for a joint exhibition with my wife (who will be showing her pressed flower work) in a few weeks!!! And I don't have even one print done!!! Yikes!!!

I didn't find a paper that I'd be happy with at the local store here today, so if you have any recommendations I'd love to hear them. The "problem" is that, with so little time, I'll need, I believe, an Epson paper so that one of the canned profiles can work with it.

It's kinda a long story, but the short version is that I'm just getting back to photography after a longish hiatus. Just upon returning, my wife was asked to do an exhibition, but she doesn't have enough time to get enough of her work together for a decent sized showing, and she asked if we could do it jointly, thereby taking some pressure off of her (and putting it on me!).

Anyway, as per the title, I'm looking for B&W and/or Sepia prints, on a matte surface. And if you have any related, loosely related, or even almost totally irrelevant comments or suggestions as I forgo the rest of my life for about three weeks, I'd love to hear it.

[Gem Singer]

Epson Ultra Premium Presentation Paper Matte (formerly Enhanced Matte).

Inexpensive, readily available, and the profile should already be on your printer.

Looks great framed under glass.

[sergiob]

Very nice blacks for a matte paper.

[Brent Long]

Okay! Your suggestion of Epson Ultra Premium Presentation Paper Matte looks like a good bet, Gem. And thank you for your added "thumbs up", Sergio.

I'm in Japan, and the paper is likely still marketed under its previous name, so is it definitely the same paper, Enhanced Matte and Ultra Premium Presentation Paper Matte?

[Gem Singer]

Yes, they are the same paper.

[Brent Long]

Okay! Thanks again, Gem. I appreciate your help.

[Brent Long]

I just ordered this paper from Amazon to have it shipped to me in Japan. I'm just not sure if the paper that I think is the same is correct or not, so I'll get the right one for sure this time and then compare to what is being offered here. The thing that drives me absolutely nuts about Epson is their cryptic product names so you have to jump through hoops to know what is what. Everything is different in Japan.

[David Solow]

I have used Hahnemuhle Fine Art Pearl. It's somewhere between matte and glossy, more towards a matte in my opinion, although it says glossy on the box. It's a beautiful (although thick) paper and works great with the Epson 3880 and comes in a 17"x22" sheet size, which is great for 4x5. You can get the profile for this paper on the Hahnemuhle site. You can buy this paper online at B&H or Adorama and probably lots of other places too.

[Brent Long]

David, thank you. I probably should have stressed that I am in Japan in my original post. Although, I ended up ordering from the Amazon U.S. site anyway. I was originally hoping to get something locally, but I just can't be sure that I'd be getting what I need. There are many papers that I'd like to try, and something like you recommend sounds interesting.

Thanks again.

[Brent Long]

Thanks, Dakotah. Those papers look awesome. I'll try them sometime if I can.

[Tyler Boley]

papers that perform well in my experience, that look great with warm to sepia B&W prints are- hahnemuhle German Etching, hahnemuhle Bamboo, Canson Edition Etching, and if you are using Epson inks rather than a monochrome set (Cone or InkSupply), Epson hot or cold press natural. These newish Epson papers, though great performers, tend to dull the beauty of warm monochrome inks, but of course with OEM epson sets you can just put in more warmth...
None of these have bluish optical brighteners that conflict with warm hues, but tend to the subtle warm side of paper base hue. They all have good dmax, and a general rich look.
Tyler

[Jim Andrada]

Hi Brent

Having lived and worked in Japan for several years I think it's safe to say that you can get just about ANYTHING photographic where you are. I know that Yodobashi-camera sells the major ink jet printers and I'm quite sure that someone there would be able to help you figure out what the equivalent names are. Their Akihabara store is enormous.
I used to shop at the BIC camera store at Yurakucho and they had just about anything you could imagine.

Or just give Epson a call directly. Where in Japan are you?

[Brent Long]

Hi Jim. If only I had either of those stores here . . . in Okinawa! I've only visited them a couple of times on a short trip to Tokyo a couple of years ago. I've considered asking over the phone, but I figured they'd have no clue either. Actually, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't, but I guess they'd be able to find out real quick with a call to Epson. I may have to try that out now that I think more about it.

Anyway, I ordered some paper form Amazon U.S. (Ultra Premium Presentation . . .) and it has arrived, though I haven't printed anything just yet.

[Gem Singer]

Brent,

You made a wise decision.

Epson Ultra premium Presentation paper looks great when printed in sepia with Epson Ultra K-3 inks.

I cannot understand why folks would want to spend $4.00 on a 17x22 sheet of inkjet paper when they can purchase this paper for approx. $1.00 for a 17x22sheet.

When mounted under glass, you can't detect the difference.

[Brent Long]

Thanks Gem! And Thanks to Tyler above whom I forgot to thank before.

Although, with your comments, Gem, I am a bit nervous about printing because if they don't look as good as I hope, I know that it is "user error" and cannot be blamed on the paper. :)