High end ink jet papers for Alt proc

Soeren · Jul 3, 2009

Could some of the High end Ink jet papers (baryta type etc) be used for alternative processes like salt print, argyrotype and cyanotype?
Best regards

Akki14 · Jul 3, 2009

I haven't had much luck with printer papers. I found some cute stuff that had a "pearl" finish, literally flecks of tiny opalescent stuff in the finish and even though it said for inkjet (which I assumed means it takes up ink well), it would not coat well at all with (traditional formula) cyanotype. Came out very weak, light blues. It also seems like the paper is kind of "slippery" and isn't that willing to take up liquids like the traditional watercolour paper.
It gets a little costly buying these high end ink jet papers then finding out they're useless to you so that's why I stopped.

Photo Engineer · Jul 3, 2009

The papers have various chemicals in them to absorb, hold on to and "dry" the inks and these chemicals do strange things to almost everything I have tried coating.

The best bet is pure baryta paper. It is available uncoated in sheets and rolls from the Formulray. Even here some things are difficult to coat, as the baryta helps mask some of the density unless you use a good size. Pt/Pd have given me trouble but Silver Halide works well as does Cyanotype coated from gelatin.

PE

Soeren · Jul 4, 2009

Thanks Heather and PE.
Best regards

Steve Smith · Jul 4, 2009

What about the reverse side of some of these papers?

Steve.

Johnindc · Jul 4, 2009

I have tried EPSON Premium Presentation Paper Matte Paper with argyrotype and it worked great.

David A. Goldfarb · Jul 4, 2009

Most of the Hahnemuhle papers are papers they have long made for other purposes (drawing, lithography, fine printing, etc.) subbed for inkjet, so if you like those papers and if they have sufficient wet strength to hold up to wet processing, you can get them without the inkjet coating. I don't know, however, if that's true for the baryta paper.

Jeremy · Jul 4, 2009

A lot of the higher end inkjet papers are actually more expensive than the traditional watercolor papers (especially if you buy full sheets in bulk) and those that aren't are usually much lower in quality. Kind of a wash in my opinion.

An Le-qun · Aug 21, 2009

Hahnemuhle Inkjet for Cyanotype

I bought one of Hahnemuhle's inkjet sample packs and tried each of the included varieties with cyanotype; their Fine Art Pearl ended up being one of my favorites, even over many traditional watercolor papers. I found that many of the other H-muhle varieties cleared with great difficulty.

High end ink jet papers for Alt proc

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