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Metallic papers
- Thread starter nickbatz
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Keith Cooper
Senior Member
The metallic papers I've looked at do not look like they are on metal.
The effect is caused by what look like fine mica (or similar) crystals in the coating of the paper.
here's one that looks good for some images on the PRO-200
also mentioned in
There is a lustre version as well, which seems to be slightly rougher and with bigger crystals
The effect is caused by what look like fine mica (or similar) crystals in the coating of the paper.
here's one that looks good for some images on the PRO-200
Loading…
www.northlight-images.co.uk
also mentioned in
Loading…
www.northlight-images.co.uk
There is a lustre version as well, which seems to be slightly rougher and with bigger crystals
mike earussi
Veteran Member
At one time a few companies were selling metallic papers that actually had a silver coating, but most images looked pretty bad on them so I think they've been discontinued.
I've tested four of them and my favorite is from Breathing Color:
It looks more metallic than the others which are more pearlescent, but it's a matter of taste.
Red River is also popular:
as is Moab and Epson. Kodak also has one but it is to be avoided as it's of very poor quality.
I've tested four of them and my favorite is from Breathing Color:
Loading…
www.breathingcolor.com
It looks more metallic than the others which are more pearlescent, but it's a matter of taste.
Red River is also popular:
Loading…
www.redrivercatalog.com
as is Moab and Epson. Kodak also has one but it is to be avoided as it's of very poor quality.
mike earussi
Veteran Member
Metal prints are not metallic papers. They are polished aluminum sheets with a dye sub receptor coating. In order to make them at home you need a dye sub printer and a heat press--and they're not cheap to make.
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I've printed with Epson and Red River Metallic papers. They look glossy and have a pearlescent metallic shine, but definitely do not look like they are printed on metal at all. Also, it only looks good when there is bright light so that you can see how the light reflects off of the print.
It does make for a cool effect, but color profiles are also harder to nail down.
It does make for a cool effect, but color profiles are also harder to nail down.
Voyager46
Active member
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BayPhoto uses a Kodak Endura Metalic paper (their metalic option). I was interested in trying. Does your comment above of very poor quality apply here, or are there different metallic papers from Kodak?
mike earussi
Veteran Member
Endura is a RA-4 paper not an inkjet one so my comments do not apply to it. I've never seen it but I've heard that it looks good.
Voyager46
Active member
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Thanks for that distinction. I can’t believe the rabbit whole I went down with this thread. No wonder so many just get their own photo printer! Damn the costs!
At least I’m learning quite a bit. More than I wanted to.
NordicLight
Member
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Hahnemühle photo rag metallic has a distinctly silvery coating.
mike earussi
Veteran Member
I love it and am still learning how and what to print with it. It's very very different from regular metallic paper and the only one that's OBA free. Definitely worth experimenting with.
David Pavlich
Veteran Member
I use both Red River metallic papers (gloss and satin). For my HDR stuff, the gloss is terrific. I get a lot of compliments on color rendition. But, this is NOT for wildlife or people pictures.
I use the satin version on a lot of my B&W shots, especially architecture. It's a bit more subtle, but it still give the shots a bit of 'oomph' for lack of a better term. I don't use this for wildlife or people, either.
To answer your question, it is not the equivalent of aluminum prints.
David
I use the satin version on a lot of my B&W shots, especially architecture. It's a bit more subtle, but it still give the shots a bit of 'oomph' for lack of a better term. I don't use this for wildlife or people, either.
To answer your question, it is not the equivalent of aluminum prints.
David
I just tried the Breathing Color Vibrance Metallic paper and it indeed gives an appearance quite similar to metal prints. The manufacturer specifications say the base is mixed, but do not disclose the OBA's. Do you have any information on that?
mike earussi
Veteran Member
All metallic papers contain OBAs except for Hahnemuhle's Metallic Rag which has a very different (but also very beautiful) look from regular metallic paper.
Yes, but minimal OBA's or loaded. I suppose there is no way to know. I've used the Hahnemuhle from the sample pack. It's nice but, as you point out, not the same look. The Breathing Color product was just the look I was seeking. I've not seen noticeable yellowing from OBA papers over the last decade, but archival it's not.
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mike earussi
Veteran Member
I have a UV light (purchased from Amazon for around $15) and you can tell by the intensity of the reflection. Bright white means a lot whereas a light purple means a lesser amount. Just use a non OBA paper as a reference point.
But I would bet on a lot. Just remember that OBAs only fade if they are exposed to UV light, and with most people today using LED lighting, which has no UV, OBAs aren't problem they used to be.
All good information. Thanks.
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