Jack Disbrow Loc: Northern New Jersey

We have decided that the quality of a photo print from an ink jet printer changes in subtle but obvious ways for several days after leaving the printer. The result is usually positive; stronger dark tones and a bit more detail in highlight areas.

Why? In our opinion it MAY be that over several days the vehicle making up the ink may soak into the paper, leaving a higher concentration of color on the surface. Or perhaps not.

So, if that seems to be a reasonable assumption, what kind of paper would be most likely to produce the best final result? Will glossy paper be better or worse? Or would totally uncoated paper be best?

notnoBuddha

Sure - but as in many things many have their own opinion as to what is "best". I have had several suggest Ilford and Epson brand papers to me but I'll bet a Kodak fan would argue. As to actual paper type - such as matte or gloss many vary that according to their subject. The same brand will also print different on different brands of printers. I print very few of my own just because I am convinced a reasonably competent commerical printer has much better equipment and can print at a lower cost than I with a whole lot less hassel.I understand full well that others do not agree with anything I think, which is just fine.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

find a good print lab and ask them

OSusanna44

I use an inkjet printer in my home and have found that by using a satin finish paper, I get the best results! Trial and error taught me all that I know! :)

Jack Disbrow Loc: Northern New Jersey

Thanks. Going back to my original question, do you notice an improvement in your pictures over a day or so after printing?

jbert Loc: Texas

Paper and thickness play a very important roll in ink jet printing. Some thicker papers will cause the ink to soak in a little. My best advice is to choose your paper and then contact the Mfg, and discuss your printer and inks used. I know printing is fun, sometimes frustrating, and we did it for years, but prints today are so cheap, we find it hard to still do our own.

Jack Disbrow Loc: Northern New Jersey

Good points. We note the changes I mentioned, mainly, on enlargements in the range of 8x10 or 8 1/2 x 11. I guess the larger the print the more ink ... and pigment. I have not tried commercial enlargements; here in northern New Jersey we have limited resources. Any suggestions?

Jody

Yes! There are subtle changes such as you describe in inkjet prints as they 'cure'. It is recommended that after you make your print, store it, away from light, for approximately 24 hours in-order to judge the quality of the result.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Jack, a photo defintely will change over at least a short period of time. I like to leave my stuff overnight but then i usually print at night. The most change for me is when I print on very heavy uncoated matte papers. I can actually see how wet the paper is. And the more dpi the more wet. I see the least change with high gloss. I think a Dye based ink will be more wet than a pigment. All inks use a solvent for the vehicle to deposit the solids(color) onto the paper. Dyes have much less solids in them and more solvent. Sometimes for proofing I use a 90 gsm paper(not much thicker than a dollar bill) and the paper acually will krinkle up untill it dries which can take hours. It's not that the solvent has to soak in, it does, but more so that the solvent needs to evaporate off of the surface. Different papers require different amounts of ink which is why you set the paper type when you print.
As far as which makes the best prints, that is pretty subjective. My favorites are fine art velvets and heavy mattes which look almost watercolor like. The pearls look very vibrant with lots of detail and the metalics produce very beautiful sheens. My favorite is the metalic but only on certain photos. Try a photo of a metal subjct on metalic, it will look like real steel.
If you want the bset possible result order a sample pack from your favorite suppler and then print your favorite photo on a sample of each type of paper and chances are one will be exceptoinal over the others.
Hope that helps a little.

Jack Disbrow Loc: Northern New Jersey

It helps a lot ... and thanks. That's more than I ever knew about papers and inks. Of course I've only been taking and printing for about sixty years, so I have a lot to learn. Your info will be the base for a lot of evaluation in the future. Thanks again.