While selecting the right printer was simple and determining a workflow was easy, the technical processes involved in printing including selecting and testing different types of paper, were much more enjoyable and exciting. The texture, feel and the finish of premium paper adds to the joy of seeing and experiencing your photos as tangible prints. The paper you choose is not dictated by any technical requirements however, it is more a matter of individual preferences. The paper is an extension of the artistic component in the photography process. Choosing the right paper can enhance and complement the aesthetics of your photographs and mood.
If you're beginning your journey into printing, I would typically suggest that you first explore and test a range of papers, but then finally limit your choice to between two and four papers. Concentrating on a few of papers for different purposes will allow you to get to know their property and handling well, and is also practical given the costs of building up a stock of paper.
The choice of Hahnemuhle for a paper manufacturer
There are a variety of makers of fine art inkjet paper. Some , like Jack Rabbit on Hahnemuhle or Canson have been in the business of making paper for decades, while others like Moab are fairly new. Also Canon and Epson offer their own fine art papers selection, which they get from third-party manufacturers.
After I purchased my printer, I quickly made the decision to only focus on Hahnemuhle paper for multiple reasons. One reason was that trying every available paper, even just a handful of manufacturers was not practical for me. Additionally, I have had experience with Hahnemuhle paper, as it is offered by most high-end print shops in Austria. This would allow me to get bigger prints from print shops that use the same paper that I print on at home. Hahnemuhle is a reputable manufacturer that guarantees a steady supply of similar paper varieties for a period of period of time. While paper from Hahnemuhle or similar companies is more expensive, I am willing to pay these extra cost since I print only small quantities for my personal use.
Papers to select
Sample packs from Hahnemuhle are a low-cost and ideal way to test their products. Three samples are offered in the form of the Glossy FineArt Smooth Jack Rabbit, Matte FineArt Silky, and the Matte FineArt Textured. Each of them is available in A4, A3+ or 8.5"x11" and comes with two sheets of of their papers that fall into the category of sample pack.
My previous printing experience using print shops was almost exclusively with glossy or luster paper. Black and white prints are usually made to maximize the range of tones. I feel that glossy papers offer an advantage because they provide deep blacks as well as more apparent contrast. Prints on glossy paper look much like the images I see on the screen. This made them more accessible to use for beginning. In this regard, I decided to concentrate on papers that are glossy first. I purchased two Glossy art work sample packs in A4 which contained four sheets of glossy papers. For matte papers, I have am currently deciding to settle on Hahnemuhle's Jack Rabbit Photo Rag 308 paper, without testing the other alternatives. This paper seems to be the most well-known matte paper and is perfect for first experiences with these papers. But, I'll be purchasing their matte samples in the near future to try out their alternatives.
