HEART Loc: God's Country - COLORADO

The local Costco uses Fuji paper in its photo lab (unsure if each Costco's lab is different). They also sell the Kirkland brand. I DON'T use the Costco photolab; just want to ask your input on if Fuji or Kirkland yield acceptable results in your HP printer.

I use an HP printer and have had great success with Epson paper (go figure; fantastic results). HP Premium Plus paper, however, with my HP printer, results in a blue cast over the prints. Stopped using the HP Premium Plus.

If you've used Fuji: successfully mates with the HP printer?
If you've used Kirkland: similar success?
As a note: no, I've decided against the Memjet printer for now. Too costly.

Your comments appreciated. Thanks, gang.

Kentee Loc: Southern California

I use Kirkland Glossy photo paper for in place of Epson Premium Glossy Photo paper for glossy prints on an Epson 1280 printer. It is cheap and always available at Costco.

In my experience, it is in every way the equal of Epsons Premium paper and the prints are identical. Don't know about an HP printer , but, I suspect the results are similar. Used on an Epson 2200 or 3880, the results are same as Epson paper, i.e., layering due to the different type of inks.

HEART Loc: God's Country - COLORADO

Thank you, Kentee - you've solved my dilemma! I picked up 150 pack of Kirkland and will have a chance this weekend to run some. Really appreciate your quick response - and have a super weekend!

photocat Loc: Atlanta, Ga

Fuji paper is for chemcial use. Kirkland is an inkjet paper and is very good , especially for the price.

I have been using it for years , basically for test prints . ALso recommend it to my students for use with their home/office printers.

It should have a tech sheet that indicates which type of "profile" to apply for a wide variety of printers.

HEART Loc: God's Country - COLORADO

Thanks for the tip on the Fuji paper - had great success with it back in the "chemicals" era. Looking forward to testing the Kirkland with the HP. Appreciate your input, and enjoy the weekend!

saichiez Loc: Beautiful Central Oregon

Papers for inkjet printing... It's a tricky slope.

Inkjet ink formulas and Papers are somewhat proprietary. Moreso for some brand printers (ink) and their own papers. I have a wide format Epson printer that uses pigment ink, and is fussy on papers. Kodak, just a few years ago reformulated both ink and paper saying they were going to create a new inexpensive inkjet process with high quality.

As a result of that, when I use Kodak paper, the ink just sits on the paper and takes forever to sink in.

I have only found one paper source outside of OEM that works best on my printer.

This leads me to believe that the best option is to use OEM papers, and from there, simply test what works best until you find your other options.

Kirkland is an interesting company, being a Costco store brand. Costco seems to have a higher standard than most big box stores, and often uses branded items of higher quality. I don't know about the Kirkland brand paper.

I did, however, note that about 3-4 years ago, Consumer Reports rated Costco Kirkland brand batteries (AA) the best in the market place. I have often found Kirkland brands offering quite good quality for the price. It might be interesting to know the paper manufacturer source that is branded Kirkland.

Another issue related to print paper costs is whether a particular brand requires more proofing to get a final copy, which can be a function of ink/paper formulations, AND the result of proper calibration of your system to minimize proofing and get good results on a first printing.

Anne

I have used Kirkland's glossy photo paper in both my canon printer and my epson printer and with great results. I was also told that the paper was made by Ilford paper which is a fine quality paper. I am not sure if they only use that manufacturer or if they change with a new contract to the most competitiely priced company. I have used it for over two and a half years. My photography is mostly for local sale and competition. I have had both sales and won ribbons for my images printed on this paper so I feel satisfied about using it. My only wish is that they would have larger then 8.5 x 11 and more variety in finishes.
Anne

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

I have had very good results in both Epson and Canon printers. A year ago it was said to be Epson paper. Now it's different paper and don't know what it is, but still works well.

saichiez Loc: Beautiful Central Oregon

Thanks for that information on Ilford. At least you now know that for larger sizes you might want to look directly at Ilford. If you are selling and winning awards, the slight extra cost (if there is one) might well be worth looking into on larger print sizes and stay with Kirkland (ilford) for under 8X10.

But you already knew that... right. :mrgreen:

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

I will only say that my brother and I are Costco members and everything we have bought there with the Kirkland name on it has been premium quality and FAR exceeds the expectations one has at the price it sells for. We do a lot of comparisons just for the fun of it and Kirkland is always the winner. You can look up reviews of Kirkland products on Google and their products will, almost without fail, be the top rated one of a group or at least tied for the top with another brand that costs twice as much.

I have no reason to think their photo paper wouldn't be one of the very best available at any price as well, which would far exceed the needs of your H-P printer. You have had a favorable testimony already from an Epson user, and Epson is known as the top line of home photo printers, so Kirkland paper will certainly be overkill quality for your H-P. You also didn't say if you're using H-P ink or if you buy refilled generics. That could be a color issue in itself because of the way the ink interacts with paper.

By the way, your Costco is likely using Fuji paper because the photo printers are Fuji and it's part of the lease contract that Fuji supplies are the only ones going through the machines. That doesn't mean Costco prefers Fuji paper over their own.

I don't work for Costco... really I don't... :wink:

Kentee Loc: Southern California

I should mention that Kirkland's Glossy paper works with printers that use dye-based inks as does Epson's and probably every other glossy paper. It does not work well with pigment inks and layers on top of the paper's coating. In some cases the inks gathers in clumps on the surface and is still wet after printing, especially the blacks.

In my Epson 1280, the print looks exactly like the ones that come back from Costco's printers or any other good glossy photo printer. In an Epson, use "Premium Glossy Photo Paper" for the correct profile.

photocat Loc: Atlanta, Ga

I have used this paper with pigment inks with no issues. A HP 9180 and an Epson 3800.