Bill2 Loc: Littleton, CO

Hi,
I'm tempted to stock up on a special sale of photo paper for my printer (Canon inkjet). I do mostly family photos and in multiples of ten or so. Some days I run through a lot of paper. I can do best when the sale "Buy one, get one free," comes along. I usually get the 150 sheet matte and another for the cost of one package. Makes quite a difference.

There are several multi-sheet 8x10 projects in the near future.
If I buy a quantity, what are the best storage conditions, and how important to quality are the expiration dates. I probably won't exceed the dates but I'd like to know how long paper would still be of a like-new condition.

Jolly Roger Loc: Dorset. UK

I'm sure in the distant past I read that you should purchase suitably sized 'Tupperware' container/s. The type that by lifting the lip of the cover and depressing the centre of the cover at the same time creates a partial vacuum. This is then stored in your fridge until required. Upon removal of required sheets, they are allowed to settle at the ambient room temperature prior to use.
Hopefully others here will be able to confirm or refute the above.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Bill2, These coating especially with name brands will probably last for many years. In a sealed container and packed tight as they are in their wrap little or no air will reach the surface. Personally, I would not be that concerned, especially if my hair were white... which it is. I assume you are buying paper for a few years in the future. :thumbup:

Bill2, where is this sale on Canon paper? Please share or is it from that guy on the corner with the rain coat who open up his coat and shows ink, paper, solid state hard drives etc? :mrgreen: :evil:

billybob40

Bill I was buying up all types of photo paper to see what was best for me. A lot of paper companys have old stock and put them on sale, bad prints. Kodak is bad paper unless you print on a Kodak printer. The printers I use are Epson, HP, Canon, and Mistubishi. These are all good printers, my work horse is Epson workforce 1100 with CISS system use it every day. Also use Epson 1400 and 30.
Best paper I tryed Red River the other day its a good one. The paper I use every day is http://www.ebay.com/itm/170703765231?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 I buy a 1000 sheet at a time, try 100 sheets you will see why I use it. I print up to 13 x 19. We can tell you what works for us but you have to try all types of paper and see what works best for you. The link I put on here for ebay will show about all the paper types. Start buying I did for over a year. I print on 8.5x 11 most of time and cut to other sizes. Good Luck.

billybob40

O ink has a lot to do with you print. Buy ink for your printer name. When I need ink I buy from
http://www.inkgrabber.com/models/KODAK_All-in-One_ESP%203250.html
It last longer then most fartor packed.

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

Quite a bit off subject - but if you are printing in multiples of 10 of each shot, you may save considerable money by finding a good local discount printing department at a Sam's Club, Costco, WalMart, etc. and get bulk discounts on 10+ in-store prints which would be considerably cheaper, faster, and less effort than buying the ink and paper yourself while doing all the work - even in comparison to when you're buying paper at 50% off. Also no need to invest in, and stock up on, paper nor worry about storage life of the paper.

That's only if you don't have issues with color accuracy being spot on every time though, or if you have plenty of time and enjoy the control and effort of printing as a hobby.

I have a nice Epson wide-carriage photo printer, a stack of various paper sizes, and usually have extra ink around, but for many things I just run down the road four miles to WalMart on my big bad motor scooter and have them bang out an 8X10 or a dozen 4X6's for me. Luckily the machines at that specific WalMart are very accurate and print exactly what I expect to see.

The Watcher

If you want to have a better understanding about paper and ink check out. http://www.wilhelm-research.com/

rebride

Another thought...
I use HP Advanced paper for proofing because it is cheaper, but fades in a heartbeat.
I use HP Premium Plus for final print and have never had a problem.
I use only HP Vivera inks.
So different paper(s) can affect longevity after being printed even if using the same ink. Even from the same manufacturer.

I have often wondered about expiration of paper because I stock up at 2 for 1 sales and have a bunch. Haven't noticed a problem yet. Heck, I can't even find the date for the paper. I can for the inks. Does say store 'cool and dark'. Some is from Switzerland and some from Germany if that matters.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

If your going to print, getting it right from cradle to grave, ie. reflected photons from subject to reflected photons from the printed image is Mystic subject indeed.

Until now only the Pope who had the truth about printing to be reviled only after the last secret of Fatima, and a Mystic in India knew the secret of getting a good print. I made that trip to India last month and gave a Nikon P&S to him, finally settling on a Sony which he said sounded better in a chant, more melody. I stood there waiting for the answer and in true mystic form he said, go home my son and it will be reviled. When, good mystic? When the Children disappear from your view. I cam back to the good ol USA feeling depressed, I was convinced that I would never know. Oh, school begins in August and the children dissapear so to speak when the bus goes down the street.

To day, while drinking Captain Pecard's favorite Earl Gray Lite and eating a Cinnamon scone, my penitence for reading magazines at "Barns and Noble" free, as tho a Pope sent Epiphany, the knowledge was reveled to me!!! Pages 19 thru 43; a total of 24 pages of knowledge from camera to printout. AND I actually bought a $15 copy of c't Digital Photography, www.ct-digiphoto.com , hurry, it is on the stands until 9/20/12. Enjoy and learn a lot.

rebride

My hair isn't white, but sure is gray.
Been thinking about archival properties beyond the grave. But, it won't matter to me at that point, anyhow.
Think I'll pay my $15.00 Border's Library fee and get the magazine. Oops, local Borders store is gone. Can I transfer my library card to Barnes and Nobles?

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Indeed, rebride, I and many others were saddened when Borders was sent south, was that by the Arizona Government who are all uptight about the Border? Yes, B&N is just not home like Borders was. Actually my complaint is the lighting in the "reading lounge" B&N has too much glare and when I photo graph a page in a magazine, it is not as even as it was in Borders.... Have you notice that? Humm, I will use a polarizing filter, may help!

Look, if you are that great a photographer, your fading photos will be updated in format and sealed in a Nitrogen or Helium box and stored at the Smithsonian. Hay, I looked up color chart in the magazine and yes, if over exposed it appears white when it is actually Grey like mine.

Bill2 Loc: Littleton, CO

Hi,
Many thanks for the unexpected and canny responses. There are several suggested items upon which I will follow up.
It appears that you have sharpened my work habits, saved me money, and made me very pleased with UH.

I certainly do appreciate the time that all of you took to make considered replies. Best Regards, Bill Forsyth

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Hay, wait a minute Mogul, the reference refers to antifoging solutions using Bromine,,, that is WET photography!!! Not printer as in ink jet!!! Do you really think we need to turn out the lights and use a safelight when we print with our ink jet????
http://photo.net/black-and-white-photo-printing-finishing-forum/004BjQ
QUOTE: DARKROOM RECOMMENDATIONS Use a KODAK OC Safe-light Filter ..... Well, yes, it would be romantic way to make ink-jet printing a tool of seduction .. equal to the old "come to see my etchings." :twisted:
-------------
FROM: Re: Bulk Buying Glossy Photo Paper - is there a shelf life? See the quotes #1, #2 from:
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?83454-Bulk-Buying-Glossy-Photo-Paper-is-there-a-shelf-life
1. When I designed the paper conservation centre for the British Film Institute ideal storage conditions were, obviously, critical. Essentially you should keep it cool and dry but unless you want to store it for a hundred years just being sensible should be enough, ie a dry place away from heat.
2. If paper is kept dry and cool there is no use by or sell by date. It will keep indefinitely. Most "use by" or "sell by" dates are not for your benefit but for the benefit of the retailer, so that they can persuade you to dump perfectly good stuff and buy more.

SO IT APPEARS FROM WHAT I READ ...IF YOU HAVE A COOL DRY HOME THEN THE PAPER WILL LAST FOR A VERY LONG TIME... DECADES... :thumbup:

rebride

I have some DuPont papers under the house with all my darkroom equipment. I wonder . . . ?
Just yesterday my son asked me, while cleaning out the garage/man cave if I was going to put my darkroom in there since he and his brother are away at college.
There is something about those silver halide prints.
Is a ink-jet paper 'fixed' when it is printed with ink?
I have got to ear mark some time today to get to the bookstore.