I usually print on an Olympus P-440 dye-sub printer. I like the photolab-like results but I always missed being able to use other papers than the standard Olympus ones. Recently I ended up with some credit at a local store and ended up taking an R300.

So now I look at the Epson range and there's nothing much there for fine art, textured needs. I checked out some other brands and Hahnemuhle Photo Rag seems exactly what I am after.

Bare with me, here is the question. I check out the maximum paper weight specs of the R300 and the Epson site says:
WEIGHT (Cut Sheet) From 64 to 90 g/m2. Up to 255 gr/mē using Epson genuine media only

Hahnemuhle Photo Rag comes in 188gsm and 308gsm. I'd rather use the heavier, but in any case, if I pay attention to that spec. I cant even use the 188gsm because its not genuine Epson paper and should therefore be 90gsm or less.

Have any of you tested this? If using it gives bad results or damages the printer it will all defeat the purpose I got this printer for!

I dont have the r300 but an R800, and it will take almost any matte paper up to about 260gsm. I think what Epson is trying to say is that is printer driver is optimized and the thicknesses set for their paper so you would have to test and play around a bit if you use other makes of paper. You will note that in the driver it lists only the various Epson papers which then sets the anticipated thickness since they know what it will be. I am sure you would find it will work ok with the 188gsm PhotoRag as it works fine on other Epson printers using the Enhanced matte setting for media.

Thanks gervaise, if 188gsm is fine and I can get it to work up to ~260gsm then I'm more than happy. Really what I'm after is different surfaces more than any particular weight (so long as its not stupidly thin).

I would make sure to download the profile for the "rag" paper. I think you won't have a problem.

Jonathan

I am able to print on just about any paper via the R300 other than the super thick water color stock. It will print but the coverage is spotty. I use a C84 for the water color stock.