Canson Fibre Platine vs Red River Palo Duro Baryta

I’ve been away from photography and printing for a few years but am getting back into it. We moved to a new home recently and I’m making several prints to frame and put on the walls.

I ordered a bunch of paper samples from Red River. I also got a package of Canson Platine Fibre, because this was my favorite paper in the past.



Of the Red River papers, the one I like best is Palo Duro Baryta. (I also quite liked Palo Duro Satin, and will use it for “everyday” work, but I prefer a heavier weight paper with a bit more texture for exhibition).



Between the Platine Fibre and PD Baryta, I feel that the color reproduction is more neutral with the Platine. I printed a B&W with no toning on both papers, and it almost looked like it had a slight sepia tone on the PD Baryta paper. This surprised me because the paper itself doesn’t look terribly warm.



I think I prefer the Platine because it’s easy for me to warm up prints if I need to on that paper, whereas it seemed harder to achieve the neutral tonality with the PD Baryta. But my sample pack only came with 2 sheets of PD Baryta, so I’m not certain of this.



Does anyone have experience with both of these papers?

mrswitters said:

I ordered a bunch of paper samples from Red River. I also got a package of Canson Platine Fibre, because this was my favorite paper in the past.

Of the Red River papers, the one I like best is Palo Duro Baryta. (I also quite liked Palo Duro Satin, and will use it for “everyday” work, but I prefer a heavier weight paper with a bit more texture for exhibition).

Between the Platine Fibre and PD Baryta, I feel that the color reproduction is more neutral with the Platine.

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I think most people who have tried a range think that the Red River paper most similar to Canson Platine is Palo Duro Softgloss Rag.

mrswitters said:

I printed a B&W with no toning on both papers, and it almost looked like it had a slight sepia tone on the PD Baryta paper. This surprised me because the paper itself doesn’t look terribly warm.

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Then maybe the profile for Palo Duro Baryta is off, or there's some other problem. If you compare unprinted sheets of two papers, one might look visibly more yellow--although this can vary depending on the lighting. But if it doesn't look visibly more yellow, then I can't see why, when printed, it should be visibly more sepia, instead of neutral B&W. That's not to say it's impossible; it's simply that I'd first suspect some other reason.

mrswitters said:

I think I prefer the Platine because it’s easy for me to warm up prints if I need to on that paper, whereas it seemed harder to achieve the neutral tonality with the PD Baryta. But my sample pack only came with 2 sheets of PD Baryta, so I’m not certain of this.

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Again, try Red River Palo Duro Softgloss Rag.

+1 to what NAwlins said

Both are fine papers. The main difference is that Canson Platine is 100% rag, while PDBF is alpha-cellulose. Surface finish is very similar, but I think PDBF is slightly smoother. PDBF is advertised as having a warm tone, but to my eyes it looks quite neutral. With good profiles, neutrality should be virtually identical; there shouldn’t be obvious differences.



If you are using canned profiles from Canson and RR, you may well experience differences in tonality. Each company may be using the same model printer for their profiles, but those profiles weren’t generated from your printer(no two printers are exactly the same). You can level the playing field by making your own profiles.

I’m in agreement with NAwlins, regarding RR PDSGR. It’s a virtual Canson Platine clone and is far cheaper. The paper has a big gamut, a beautiful semigloss surface, and a pure white base.

ChicagoRob said:

+1 to what NAwlins said

Both are fine papers. The main difference is that Canson Platine is 100% rag, while PDBF is alpha-cellulose. Surface finish is very similar, but I think PDBF is slightly smoother. PDBF is advertised as having a warm tone, but to my eyes it looks quite neutral. With good profiles, neutrality should be virtually identical; there shouldn’t be obvious differences.

If you are using canned profiles from Canson and RR, you may well experience differences in tonality. Each company may be using the same model printer for their profiles, but those profiles weren’t generated from your printer(no two printers are exactly the same). You can level the playing field by making your own profiles.

I’m in agreement with NAwlins, regarding RR PDSGR. It’s a virtual Canson Platine clone and is far cheaper. The paper has a big gamut, a beautiful semigloss surface, and a pure white base.

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Thanks to you both. I did try RR PDSGR, but I preferred the PDBF and Platine Fibre Rag—at least with the two test prints I did. Maybe I need to buy a box of PDSGR 8.5x11 so I can do more testing.

Yes, I was also surprised by the difference in tone with the B&W prints, given that the papers don't look that different in terms of their tone. I assume it's a profile issue. So, I've considered getting profiles made by Profiles By Rick for all three of these papers. Then I could make more test prints and decide from there.

I will say that the price difference between PFR and the two RR papers isn't as significant as I thought, based on comments here. Here's how it breaks down for a box of 13x19:

• PDBF: $80
• PDSGR: $85
• PFR: $100

That's not insignificant, but it's not enough to be the deciding factor for me. I don't print at high volume, am only doing personal projects right now, and can afford the difference if I prefer the paper.

I'll get some profiles made and go from there. Thanks again!

Profiles By Rick is excellent. Keep us in the loop on your findings.

ChicagoRob said:

+1 to what NAwlins said

Both are fine papers. The main difference is that Canson Platine is 100% rag, while PDBF is alpha-cellulose. Surface finish is very similar, but I think PDBF is slightly smoother. PDBF is advertised as having a warm tone, but to my eyes it looks quite neutral. With good profiles, neutrality should be virtually identical; there shouldn’t be obvious differences.

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Yes the surfaces are very similar whereas the PDSGR is a bit smoother and more satin like. One of the favorable attributes of PDBF is that it feels more substantial due to its rigidity being that it is an alpha cellulose. The downside is that the paper is more sensitive to creases or dents compared to either rag.

PDBF is fairly white and if I remember correctly it measures as white if not whiter than CPFR. However, as the OP observed images do appear slightly warm which I attribute to the receiving layer or profile bias. I’ve profiled the paper and the ones I’ve generated are consistent with the OEM colors though they were more saturated and thus less warm (unlike PDSGR where the OEM profiles were a bit cool with a magenta shift). One can achieve rather good linearity with the grays.

ChicagoRob said:

If you are using canned profiles from Canson and RR, you may well experience differences in tonality. Each company may be using the same model printer for their profiles, but those profiles weren’t generated from your printer(no two printers are exactly the same). You can level the playing field by making your own profiles.

Click to expand...

see above.

ChicagoRob said:

I’m in agreement with NAwlins, regarding RR PDSGR. It’s a virtual Canson Platine clone and is far cheaper. The paper has a big gamut, a beautiful semigloss surface, and a pure white base.

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I have a love hate relationship with PDSGR. It has a beautiful gamut, lovely blacks, and a pearly iridescent surface. Images pop though I find the surface distracting behind glazing. I much prefer the lesser expensive PDSR for that application.

Member said:

I much prefer the lesser expensive PDSR for that application.

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Palo Duro Smooth Rag? I just started using this paper recently, and I find it quite impressive. It has saturated colors and solid black tones.

For now, I've decided to get a custom profile for the CFPR. Even without the custom profile, I'm able to get more consistent and predictable results with it than with either of the RR papers (PDSGR or PDBF).

That said, I ordered a box of PDSGR and PDBF to continue experimenting. Perhaps I'll get profiles made for them as well.

Thanks, everyone!

That’s quite an arsenal of paper. If you ever get into matte printing, you can add RR Palo Duro Smooth Rag 310, which is one of the best matte papers I’ve ever used. Throw in some Canon RC paper and all bases are covered.

ChicagoRob said:

That’s quite an arsenal of paper. If you ever get into matte printing, you can add RR Palo Duro Smooth Rag 310, which is one of the best matte papers I’ve ever used. Throw in some Canon RC paper and all bases are covered.

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Thanks! I have that in a sample pack but haven't used it yet. I have used (and enjoyed) the RR 88 lb. Polar Matte paper for some applications (cooler tone B&W images, for example, and postcards).

How does the PDSR compare to the 88 lb. Polar Matte?

I'm not familiar with the Canon RC paper. Which applications do you favor that paper for over the rag/fiber/matte papers?

And which of the RC papers would you suggest I try? It looks like they have 3 of them? Pro Luster, Pro Platinum and Plus Semi-Gloss?

mrswitters said:

ChicagoRob said:

That’s quite an arsenal of paper. If you ever get into matte printing, you can add RR Palo Duro Smooth Rag 310, which is one of the best matte papers I’ve ever used. Throw in some Canon RC paper and all bases are covered.

Click to expand...

Thanks! I have that in a sample pack but haven't used it yet. I have used (and enjoyed) the RR 88 lb. Polar Matte paper for some applications (cooler tone B&W images, for example, and postcards).

How does the PDSR compare to the 88 lb. Polar Matte?

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Polar Matte is a cool toned, alpha-cellulose paper with OBAs. PDSR is a warmer 100% rag paper with no OBAs. Polar Matte is a decent paper, but I would choose PDSR for its archival properties. Another inexpensive matte paper is Canon Pro Premium Matte Paper, which I like better than Polar Matte, due to its better saturation and stronger blacks.

mrswitters said:

I'm not familiar with the Canon RC paper. Which applications do you favor that paper for over the rag/fiber/matte papers?

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Prints that are distributed to friends and family that will not be matted and framed.

mrswitters said:

And which of the RC papers would you suggest I try? It looks like they have 3 of them? Pro Luster, Pro Platinum and Plus Semi-Gloss?

Click to expand...

All three are excellent. I really like the rendering and satin finish of Plus Semi-Gloss. The surface has less stipple/texture than Pro Luster and is a great all-around paper.

ChicagoRob said:

mrswitters said:

ChicagoRob said:

That’s quite an arsenal of paper. If you ever get into matte printing, you can add RR Palo Duro Smooth Rag 310, which is one of the best matte papers I’ve ever used. Throw in some Canon RC paper and all bases are covered.

Click to expand...

Thanks! I have that in a sample pack but haven't used it yet. I have used (and enjoyed) the RR 88 lb. Polar Matte paper for some applications (cooler tone B&W images, for example, and postcards).

How does the PDSR compare to the 88 lb. Polar Matte?

Click to expand...

Polar Matte is a cool toned, alpha-cellulose paper with OBAs. PDSR is a warmer 100% rag paper with no OBAs. Polar Matte is a decent paper, but I would choose PDSR for its archival properties. Another inexpensive matte paper is Canon Pro Premium Matte Paper, which I like better than Polar Matte, due to its better saturation and stronger blacks.

ChicagoRob said:

I'm not familiar with the Canon RC paper. Which applications do you favor that paper for over the rag/fiber/matte papers?

Click to expand...

Prints that are distributed to friends and family that will not be matted and framed.

ChicagoRob said:

And which of the RC papers would you suggest I try? It looks like they have 3 of them? Pro Luster, Pro Platinum and Plus Semi-Gloss?

Click to expand...

All three are excellent. I really like the rendering and satin finish of Plus Semi-Gloss. The surface has less stipple/texture than Pro Luster and is a great all-around paper.

Click to expand...

Thanks, this is so helpful!

How do the Canon RC papers compare with something like RR Palo Duro Satin? I like that paper and was planning to use it for the same purpose that you are using the RC papers.

mrswitters said:

Thanks, this is so helpful!

How do the Canon RC papers compare with something like RR Palo Duro Satin? I like that paper and was planning to use it for the same purpose that you are using the RC papers.

Click to expand...

RR PDS is a good paper. Canon RC papers and RR RC papers will yield similar results. If you like PDS, I would continue using it.