05 April 2006

  

Would you consider a photograph to be one of the most precious items in your home? With 23 billion digital images printed or stored in Western Europe in 2005 and a prediction of a staggering 53 billion images[1] by 2009, there is little doubt that most of us like to record our memories. The rise in sales of digital cameras and improved inkjet printer technology[2] means it is now easier than ever, to print your own photos from home. 

But how can you ensure that by doing-it-yourself, those memories will be of the quality they deserve and that you can enjoy them for many years to come? 

It’s simple. There are three elements that you need to be able to print your own premium-quality photos at home – a photo printer, ink and photo paper.  The latter is often forgotten, and it is important if you want high-quality results.

As a pioneer in the development of inkjet photo printing, Epson recognises that choosing the right paper can be a confusing process. That’s why we are providing you with some tips to help you choose the right paper for you.

Understanding paper

Photo paper undergoes rigorous research and development to ensure that it works in harmony with your printer and ink, giving you a perfect photo that is durable and lightfast. Using the right type of paper will leave you with a detailed and accurate photo that is smooth, bright, glossy and won’t fade over time. 

There are four key measures that you need to consider when choosing photo paper:

1. Finish of your photo. Glossy or matte? 

2. Sturdiness of your photo. How dense do you want your paper to be? 

3. Size of your photo. 10x15cm, 13x18cm, A4 or even larger?

4. Photo life. Is your paper fade resistant? 

The most widely used paper type is plain paper; while it is ideal for document printing it won’t show your photos to their true potential. When you print a photo onto plain paper from an inkjet printer you may see cockling and a blurry effect. This happens because the ink soaks into the paper. For the best results you need a premium photo paper that has been specially designed to absorb the ink and dry quickly without smudging or bleeding, so you get crisp, clear images.

The finish of your photo

Many photo papers come with a glossy finish or ‘resin’ coating. This gives your photos a smooth and shiny appearance. It is a great way to show off your holiday snaps. Epson Premium Glossy Photo paper is a popular choice; its bright white layer and resin coating ensure it produces glossy high-quality photos to rival traditional photo-lab prints.

Matte paper does not have a glossy layer so it is ideal if you want a smooth velvety effect. Matte paper adds more texture to a photograph and many types of the paper are widely used in the fine-art or professional photography industry. Why not be adventurous and print your favourite pictures on a matte paper, such as Epson Matte Paper Heavyweight to see what different effect it can give?

Matte and glossy are the two extremes of paper finishes, so for a finish in-between choose semi-gloss paper. It has a less obvious shine than glossy paper which makes it great for photos that might be displayed in a frame or for landscape shots. A semi-gloss finish is also a popular choice for wedding photos because it does not show finger prints.

The sturdiness of your photo

The weight of paper is measured by grams per square metre (gsm.) If you want your photo to be just like the ones you used to get from the photo lab you will need a heavier paper. Epson Ultra Glossy Photo paper is one of the heaviest papers available weighing in at 300gsm. It will give a luxurious and superior feel to your photos and it is sturdy so it won’t curl or rip easily. If you want a smooth photo finish on a budget there are also other options available, for example, at 194gsm there is the Epson Photo Paper.

Paper sizes

Photo paper comes in an array of sizes starting from the traditional 10x15cm. It is the most common size used throughout Europe[3]; however digital camera users are also experimenting with different paper sizes, such as multiples on an A4 sheet or enlargements on 13x18cm paper[4]. 10x15cm photo paper is a common fit for many photo albums and is the size that you expect to receive from many high street photo labs. 13x18cm photo paper is ideal if you want to share or frame a selection of your photos to show the pictures in more crisp detail. A4 paper is ideal if you want to make enlargements, build a collage or fit several photos onto one page. Paper sizes also go beyond A4, e.g. A3, A2, B0; it is usually professional photographers and artists who print to these larger sizes.

When choosing your paper size, ensure you check that your Epson printer can accommodate it. It is easy for you to see which printers are compatible with which paper thanks to an easy-to-follow table on the side of the Epson paper packaging.

Photo life

When you have printed your favourite photos, you’ll want them to look bright and vibrant for a long time. Epson, one of the first manufacturers to promote print life, recognises the importance of fade resistance. When the three essential photo printing elements; photo printer, genuine ink and photo paper are combined Epson photos offer up to 200 years lightfastness[5], exceeding the life expectancy of traditional photo lab prints.

What next?

If you want your precious photos to look, feel and last like professional quality prints, remember the three essential elements, photo printer, ink and photo paper. You will see that printing photos is fun and with minimal effort you can experiment with different looks for your photos to find out what you like the best. Will you choose the high-gloss photographic finish or the more artistic look and feel with matte photo paper?

Epson also offers a wide range of papers to suit the advanced or professional photographer, for example, fine art media, proofing paper and photography paper up to B0+. To see the whole range, visit www.buyepson.com

[1]Understanding and Solutions 2006

[2] IDC Research 2005

[3] Epson survey on media 2005

[4] IDC research 2005    

[5] Refer to product specifications for lightfastness of individual products.

Lightfastness test conditions

*Under fluorescent light (indoor display condition) with glass mount

*The data is calculated by Epson’s accelerated test and it does not mean Epson guarantees periods

*The estimated longevity does not indicate the colour changing and the durability of the paper itself.

Lightfastness test criteria (Indoor Display Condition)

Light Source:         Fluorescent Light

Intensity:            70,000 lux

Temperature:         24°C

Humidity:           60%RH

Glass mount:         2mm, soda lime

Fade criteria:         Pure YMC 30% loss at OD = 1

Display-life calculation:  Total illuminance/ (500lux x 10hours x 365days = 1year)

This lightfastness test is a simulation of colour fading in an indoor preservation condition under fluorescent light with glass mount. The display life may vary depending on the conditions that you display your prints. Factors, other than light, such as ozone, temperature and humidity can affect the print life.

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