We offer eight different papers onto which you can print your photos / artwork
- Value Paper
- Enhanced Matte
- Luster
- Hot Press Bright
- Cold Press Bright
- Cold Press Natural
- Legacy Platine
- Hahnemuhle Photo Rag
There are so many choices when printing. Which one is best for you? We'll try to answer some questions and help you choose the best paper for your needs.
Value Paper
First of all, let's deal with Value Paper. This is your every-day paper onto which you print your standard photos that you can put in an album, or just pass around.
This only comes in four sizes:
a. Wallet-sized
b. 4"X6"
c. 5"X7"
d. 8"X10"
It is considered a 'consumer paper'. It is the most common type of photo paper for regular photos. It is a little thinner than our other papers. Value prints are printed on our Fujifilm D100 printer. It is a six-ink giclee printer, using pigment inks. This is the way to go for casual, everyday prints.
Great for Art Duplication
The Matte Papers
These papers do not have the semi-gloss finish, but are 'flat'. For artwork, and art duplication, these papers are more popular than the semi-gloss papers.
Enhanced Matte:
This is the only non-cotton based matte paper. It is therefore more affordable. It has optical brighteners, so the whites are brighter. It is more economical, but the quality of printing is up to the standard of any of the other papers. It is, after all, printed with the same printers and ink.
Click here to order Enhanced Matte
Cold Press Natural and Cold Press Bright
These are the most popular papers to print artwork on. They are thick, with a "watercolour paper" texture that feels great in the hand. If you're selling prints, give these papers a try. The only difference between the Bright and the Natural versions is the brightness. The 'Natural' paper has a slight creamy colour.
Click here to order Cold Press Natural
Click here to order Cold Press Bright
Hot Press Bright
The same weight as the Cold Press papers, but the finish is smooth. ie. no texture
Click here to order Hot Press Bright
Hahnemuhle Photo Rag
This is the premiere paper in the industry. Has a nice 'felt-like' texture. Very luxurious. If you want to make sure you've got the best paper, and best ink available on the market, then this is your paper. It has great name recognition, and is favoured by the best artists in the world.
Click here to order Hahnemuhle
Great for Photography
The Semi-Glossy Papers
Luster Paper
This paper has the richest blacks of any of our papers. While it has a slight reflective sheen, the textured surface scatters light, significantly reducing the harsh glare and distracting reflections found on glossy paper. A quality paper, thick durable, and at a great price. This is not a cotton paper.
Click here to order Luster Paper
Epson Legacy Platine
This is a 100% cotton paper. The surface is satin, with a sightly stippled effect. It mimics traditional silver halide F-Surface papers. Has a warmer tone than our regular Luster paper. No optical brighteners, and therefore has warmer, more natural highlights.
Click here to order Platine Paper
Shared Features
All papers (except Value Prints) are printed on our Epson P8000 and P9000 printers. We can print up to 44" on the short side,and up to 62" as a special order.
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These are truly the top of the line workhorse printers, using eleven inks. All the papers are printed using the same inks, and have been tested for color-fastness for up to decades. The combination of this ink and these papers make the printing process qualify as true giclee printing.
Printing Process
All papers are printed using the same Epson P8000 and P9000 printers. The ink permanence will be (almost) identical throughout the paper range.
All papers are printed using the same Epson P8000 and P9000 printers. The ink permanence will be (almost) identical throughout the paper range.
Colour Calibration / Profiling
We profile our printer and paper combinations separately. The goal is to have the colours look as close as possible regardless of which paper is used for printing.
We profile our printer and paper combinations separately. The goal is to have the colours look as close as possible regardless of which paper is used for printing.
Pricing
The Value Prints stand at the most affordable level.
Other papers
Price Comparison for a 16"X20" print
Luster and Enhanced Matte papers: $26
Hot Press and Cold press papers: $41.50
Legacy Platine: $49.50
Hahnemuhle Photo Rag: $63.20
The Value Prints stand at the most affordable level.
Other papers
Price Comparison for a 16"X20" print
Luster and Enhanced Matte papers: $26
Hot Press and Cold press papers: $41.50
Legacy Platine: $49.50
Hahnemuhle Photo Rag: $63.20
Special Order Papers
We carry a small variety of specialized papers (eg. metallic paper), and are able to do print runs of custom-order papers for large print orders.
We carry a small variety of specialized papers (eg. metallic paper), and are able to do print runs of custom-order papers for large print orders.
Shipping
We ship all prints up to 16" X20" on flat containers. For larger prints, we ship using 4" wide shipping tubes in order to minimize rounding of the print.
We ship all prints up to 16" X20" on flat containers. For larger prints, we ship using 4" wide shipping tubes in order to minimize rounding of the print.
Specifications
Enhanced Matte
Weight
192 gsm
Surface Finish
Flat Matte
ISO Brightness
104%
Material
Alpha Cellulose (Paper Base)
Contains Optical Brightening Agents
Luster
Weight
260 gsm
Surface Finish
Luster E Surface
ISO Brightness
97%
Material
Resin Coated Paper
Contains Optical Brightening Agents
Hot Press Bright
Weight
300 gsm
Surface Finish
Smooth Matte
ISO Brightness
96%
Material
100% Cotton
PH Buffered
Made In Italy
Cold Press Bright
Weight
305 gsm
Surface Finish
Textured Matte
ISO Brightness
96%
Material
100% Cotton
PH Buffered
Made In Italy
Cold Press Natural
Weight
305 gsm
Surface Finish
Textured Matte
ISO Brightness
96%
Material
100% Cotton
PH Buffered
Made In Italy
Legacy Platine
Weight
314 gsm
Surface Finish
Smooth Satin
ISO Brightness
85%
Material
100% Cotton Fibre
PH Buffered - Lignin Free
Made In Italy
Hahnemuhle Photo Rag
Weight
308 gsm
Surface Finish
Matte, lightly defined felt structure
ISO Brightness
99.5%
Material
100% Cotton
PH Buffered
Made In Germany
Final Thoughts...
Many people assume that simply choosing a fine art paper will instantly make their image “pop.” In reality, it’s not that straightforward. We invest significant time in profiling and calibrating our systems so that prints produced on different papers maintain a consistent and accurate appearance. The distinctions between papers are often subtle rather than dramatic.
However, once you begin to recognize these nuances, the experience becomes far more rewarding. Holding a beautifully printed image on your preferred paper is something special—an appreciation that brings both pride and lasting enjoyment.
We’re here to guide you through that process. As a professional photographer for many years, I have long favored Luster paper, though I’ve recently become drawn to Legacy Platine for its subtlety and warmth. Your own preference may differ, and that’s part of what makes fine art printing so compelling—there is ample room for personal taste, interpretation, and discovery.
— Roberto Riveros