Sharpest paper?

[Bill Caulfeild-Browne]

I'm interested in opinions as to the sharpest glossy papers for pigment inks. Any recommendations come!

 

[stevenfr]

I am a big fan of the Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Baryta paper. Not glossy but a very nice paper.

 

[jng]

I've been printing on Hahnemuhle Photo Gloss Baryta (using a Canon printer) for most all of my finish prints. The end result is quite sharp although I don't know how it might compare with other papers in this domain. The paper's surface has a nice glossy sheen that feels natural and not plasticky.

John

 

[Jack]

I also am a fan of the Baryta papers, and expect the glossy versions will be "sharpest." But I too prefer the look from the photo rag versions.

 

[Shashin]

The sharpest glossy papers are the cheap, shiny glossy finish. A paper with a texture will be softer. The problem with the high gloss finish is it becomes like a mirror, especially in the shadows. However, like folks above, there are much better papers. The loss of sharpness is not really perceptible, but the increase in richness is. I guess another vote for the Hahnemuhle Fine Art Baryta in glossy.

I am not sure paper manufacturers do this any more, but getting a sample pack can be good to find out what you like in a paper. The surface not only changes sharpness, but also saturation and contrast. You can then simply print an image of different stocks to see how the dynamic of the image changes.

 

[Joe Colson]

I am a big fan of the Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Baryta paper. Not glossy but a very nice paper.

I agree with Steven. Both the Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Baryta and Canson Infinity Baryta Photographique papers are excellent for rendering sharp detail, but not glossy. They have sheen though and shouldn't be dismissed.

Joe

 

[Godfrey]

For glossy surface and high detail, I've used the Epson Exhibition Fiber paper. I don't know how it compares to the other glossy papers because I've been satisfied with what it renders like and haven't tried others. I don't print glossy surface very often, only when I feel the subject matter is apropos for this kind of rendering.

G

 

[stevenfr]

The other consideration of course is how archival the paper is that you choose.

 

[gmfotografie]

do we see a difference between the paper material behind a professional glas ?

 

[Bill Caulfeild-Browne]

Thanks to all for your input. I have been using Epson Premium Luster but I have a project that needs truly glossy paper. I shall certainly look into the Baryta options.

 

[archiM44]

I have been very satisfied with the Innovaart IFA09 Gloss as well as with Hahnemuhle Fine Art Baryta in glossy

 

[stngoldberg]

i’ve tried them all...Canson/Epson Platine
stanley

 

[neilvan]

I love the results I get from my P800 and Moab Slickrock Metallic Silver 300, the level of sharpness/detail is incredible. It's not for everyone but I highly recommend giving it a try...

 

[Charles2]

Yup, Canson Platine will give you sharp. But you can get sharpness on many papers with good post-processing. Try a combination, first sharpening by RL Deconvolution in Raw Therapee, then regular Unsharp Mask in just about any post processing program. At the Unsharp Mask step, push until you begin to see halos on the monitor; at that point they will not show in the print.

 

[tsjanik]

Thanks to all for your input. I have been using Epson Premium Luster but I have a project that needs truly glossy paper. I shall certainly look into the Baryta options.

Bill, I'm a little late to this thread, but if you still need a suggestion: I love the baryta papers, but as far as I know they all have a surface texture. Pictorico Hi-gloss white film is the sharpest, glossy paper I have experience with. Absolutely flat with no surface texture and very saturated colors. It is about as close to Cibachrome as any inkjet can hope to be.
Tom