Hi friends - can anyone direct me to a resource that will help me understand the different paper types and their suggested uses? What about all the rag and canvas and watercolor papers, and when is gloss preferred to matte? I have an IPF5100, and I have printed a number of 17 x 22 on Canon premium matte, and they look great but I would like to know other suggested uses to see what I might like. Canon sent along a handy booklet with samples of their different available papers but what are the applications? I haven't even thought of getting into profiles (whatever they are) yet. It is a lot of fun, however.
The applications can be summed up in two words: Personal preference.
If you like rag or canvas or watercolor, use any or all of them. If you prefer glossy or luster or satin RC papers, use one or all of them. Like fiber? Try the fiber photo papers available now. With inkjet printing, the world is your oyster.
Basic:
Canon Heavyweight Gloss (cheap and nice)
Generic Premium Matte paper (came in unmarked box from my dealer, with profile BTW)
Higher end
Harman Baryta Gloss (Dramatic color and B&W)
Ilford Gold Fiber Silk (Also a dramatic paper, really like the b&w)
Parrot Angleica White FA paper (handles the most ink of any FA paper I have used beautiful prints)
Hahnemuhle PhotoRag 188 and 302, (nice paper but I like the Parrot better)
Waiting to try Hahnemuhle Baryta Photo Rag, more Hawk Mountain papers. The list can be never ending. I do tend to prefer small companies.
