Buyer's Guide 2006: Inkjet PapersChoosing wisely will enhance the look and longevity of your prints
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By Ibarionex R. Perello
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Page 1 of 2 
The
final look of your print has everything to do with the paper you place
in your printer. Beyond size, the weight, whiteness and surface of a
paper all make a dramatic difference in the appearance of color and
tone, especially whites and blacks. By carefully selecting paper, you
can move beyond merely copying an image and elevate printmaking to a
more creative part of your photography.
Inks designed and produced by the leading printer manufacturers,
including Canon, Epson and Hewlett-Packard, are unique and exhibit
distinct qualities that impact color, tone and print life. Available in
a variety of surfaces, these papers can include glossy, matte, satin or
luster finishes that deliver distinct looks.
A glossy finish results in prints with bright, saturated colors, for
example, while a matte surface delivers more muted colors with less
contrast. The exact same image file will look very different as a
result. Even different papers that are labeled as “glossy” will deliver
different appearances because of varying degrees of whiteness and the
quality of the finish.
There’s no “best” paper, but if you want consistent results with no
fuss, it’s best to stick with paper from the printer manufacturer. The
software drivers that come with the printer include profiles that
you’ll select when setting up your print. This will optimize the ink
output for the selected paper.
Papers from third-party manufacturers can deliver great prints as well,
with results that may not be available from the printer manufacturer.
Specialty papers that include canvas, watercolor or silk often appeal
to photographers who want to bring a fine-art quality to their
photographs. Although some of these papers use preexisting profiles,
others feature paper profiles that can be downloaded from the
manufacturer’s Website. These profiles are printer-specific and deliver
greater color and tonal accuracy than those using generic profiles. Be
sure to check for these profiles online when you use third-party papers.
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Buyer's Guides 
