Problems finding the right inkjet print paper

[Roger S]

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Hope someone out there can help.

 

I'm using an HP photosmart printer, and I usually use either Ilford Galerie RC paper (classic pearl) for colour or Harman Photo Matt FB for B&W. I find colour on the Harman don't have enough bite (and I'm not over-saturating).

 

My problem this week is that I've got some M8 photos I took in a London Jazz club that I'm very happy with, but I can't get good prints. The dense blacks of the non-lit background require the printer to lay down a lot of ink, and the prints on the Galerie, while looking great, refuse to completely dry out - there is a residual greasiness that lies on the surface of the print. If I print on the Harman, the backgrounds just look washed-out and lack density. Both papers suggest using the HP premium plus glossy paper setting, which is what I'm doing.

 

Any suggestions?

[Shootist]

Wrong papers, maybe, but definitely the wrong paper preset.

Just what model HP Photosmart are you using? If it's one that uses HP Vivera pigmented inks then never use HP Prermium papers or the Premium paper setting. That paper is for Dye ink based printers.

I tried the Ilford Gallerie Smooth Pearl with the HP B9180 and it is the worst.

You need papers that are designed to work with Pigment based inks, that is if the printer you are using uses pigment inks.

 

I know nothing about the Harman papers

 

Try some of the Red River papers.

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[jpattison]

Hi Roger,

 

Are you sure the Harman Photo Matt suggests using HP gloss settings? Doesn't sound right to me.

Try it on a matt paper setting.

Have you got the correct icc profile from Harman for this paper in your printer?

HARMAN PHOTO - Profiles

 

Which printer model is it?

 

John

[delander †]

Roger,

 

Ilford Galerie Classic pearl is more suited to dye inks. Is yours a dye or pigment ink printer?

 

Jeff

[haroldp]

I use Ilford smooth pearl on both an HP8250 (for small prints ) which is dye based, and on an HPZ3100 (24 in. roll ) which is pigment based. I am pleased with both, but I generate my own icc profiles on each printer/paper using the same settings that I print with, and the paper typed as semi-gloss. I also print for absolute colorimetric. and black point compensation. I use the 8250 to final color proof before committing a large format print.

 

Unless the profiles are correct, any results are random.

 

Regards ... Harold

[Roger S]

Thanks all. My printer uses dye inks, and I use the HP59 photo grey cartridge alongside the colour ones. I'm not near the printer today, but I think the model is 9760.

[roguewave]

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I use Ilford smooth pearl on both an HP8250 (for small prints ) which is dye based, and on an HPZ3100 (24 in. roll ) which is pigment based. I am pleased with both, but I generate my own icc profiles on each printer/paper using the same settings that I print with, and the paper typed as semi-gloss. I also print for absolute colorimetric. and black point compensation. I use the 8250 to final color proof before committing a large format print.

 

Unless the profiles are correct, any results are random.

 

Regards ... Harold

 

Harold is there a source or reference to read to learn how to do this? I have the same old HP printer, a 7960 photosmart that I use to print 5x7's of street portraits that i give folks. Thanks, Ben

[cmatter]

Get an Epson 2880 or... even better, a 3800. Make, or have made custom profiles, and use them correctly.. printing through Photoshop. The look of the blacks will be largely dependent on the paper surface; but either of those papers will produce good rich blacks....

even on the HP printers. From your descriptions, you're either not using good (or correct) profiles, and/or you're not applying them correctly.

Ilford Galerie Pearl is a great paper... used correctly