Help with paper/finish selection

EC
Posted By
Ed Clarke
Sep 9, 2004
Views
170
Replies
1
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Closed
This is a sort of a confused question that’s sort of almost related to photoshop. Lets say you’ve worked on some images in PS and are happy with the results on screen. Here are two sample images that I found on Google groups to explain my problem(?):

Red hair female:

http://www.uk-models.co.uk/img/RED%20LILLY/hair%20300.jpg

Artistic dark female:
http://www.allaboutyouth.net/orionlady.gif

These images are both "ok", but how do you select the proper paper to print them on? The red head might look good on glossy paper, but the dark image could look better on satin or matte?

I suspect that this is more of an "artist" type problem rather than a digital print problem and I bet there’s a whole range of terminology for texture/finish that I’m missing. Can you suggest some keywords to search on and/or books to read or even subjects to look for in the library? Is there a "digital printing for artists" or "artistic printing for digital dweebs" book somewhere?
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A
arrooke
Sep 9, 2004
This is a sort of a confused question that’s sort of almost related to photoshop. Lets say you’ve worked on some images in PS and are happy with the results on screen. Here are two sample images that I found on Google groups to explain my problem(?):

Red hair female:

http://www.uk-models.co.uk/img/RED%20LILLY/hair%20300.jpg
Artistic dark female:
http://www.allaboutyouth.net/orionlady.gif

These images are both "ok", but how do you select the proper paper to print them on? The red head might look good on glossy paper, but the dark image could look better on satin or matte?

I suspect that this is more of an "artist" type problem rather than a digital print problem and I bet there’s a whole range of terminology for texture/finish that I’m missing. Can you suggest some keywords to search on and/or books to read or even subjects to look for in the library? Is there a "digital printing for artists" or "artistic printing for digital dweebs" book somewhere?

There is an endless assortment of papers – as anyone who has had to stand by while some indecisive moron has tried to choose will attest. It can be like selecting wallpaper. Fortunately for printers, the final decision is nearly always driven by price. This eliminates a lot of papers right from the start. Also, if the image will be digitally printed (colour copier), textured papers don’t work. Although copiers are arriving on the scene that will better handle textures.
Paper companies provide printers with paper samples. Many samples have images printed on them. Some should probably be hanging in the national gallery of fine art. Visit a printer and see their samples. Or visit a paper wholesaler to ask for samples.
However as you suggest; it’s pretty much comes down to personal preference – there are no rules.

There are a couple things to keep in mind. If you are using small type, especially with serifs, stay away from heavy textured papers. Read up on dot gain for info on this.
Keith

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