HP8750 Panoramic

I currently use an HP8750 for printing which I have had for a few years and quite like. I have limited funds but as an XPan user have wanted a printer capoable of printing panoramics for some time. I had been thinking of getting the Epson R1900 but have seen some mixed reviews.

Anyway I decided to check out the HP8750 print driver custom paper sizes and found that I can print up to 13" x 50". I decided to bite the bullet and ordered a roll of paper. As I sit typing this my first print, 11.5" x 33" has just finished and its fantastic. I can't believe I almost parted with the best part of 450. Just goes to show that you need to lear to use what you have before you spend more money

A couple of weeks ago I've purchase a HP Pro B9180 with a max width of 13" as well. I'm looking for longer paper as well, so maybe you can give me some information what kind of roll paper in 13" width you are using. I'd prefer semi matte or silk, but couldn't find anything in the HP store or elsewhere. Seems the 13" is hard to get. Any hints will be appreciated!

Not many people seem to do 13" rolls. I was able to find some Hahnemuele in 13" rolls but it was a matt surface (Photo Rag 188) and thin. The paper I was using is Fotospeed FS. Both the Gloss and the Satin finish is available in 13" rolls and are 270gsm. I purchased mine direct from Fotospeed on the following link:

http://www.fotospeed.com/Fotospeed-FS-Photo-Quality-media/catalogue/212/

Now the print is fully dry I love it. The image has so much depth and an almost 3D feel. This is the first time I have used the Fotospeed paper and I am very impressed.

I have since contacted them as they do a free ICC printer profile for your printer. They email you a calibration chart which you then print and post it to them and they will send you the printer calibration file for free if you are using their paper. If it works, and I have no reson to doubt it will, this is a fantastic deal.

Good luck with the printing.

I recently picked up an ex-demo, good-as-new, HP 8750 of our local auction site for less than 25 Euro. It still had its protective plastic coverings and neary full ink cartridges. I bought it to do larger prints than my 7660 handles, and because it has an ethernet port, making sharing easier.

I had read that you could enter custom paper sizes for panoramic prints, but it is nice to see that someone has actually tried it. I've got several large stitched panoramas that I'd like to print. Now to find some suitable paper....

BTW, in A3 size, I have gotten good results from Fuji's Premium Plus Photo Paper (both Satin and Gloss). This is a 270gsm paper, and here in NZ is half the price of similar Ilford (Gallerie Smooth Pearl). I'll have to have a look around to see if the Fotospeed paper is available here.

Thanks for the tip about Fuji paper. I have also been experimenting and picked up some 8" wide roles from a supplier on eBay called Signal Inkjet. It's actually not bad especially when it only cost me GBP8.00 for an 8m roll.

Something that might interest others is that once I had set up some custom paper sizes they were also available on my old Epson Photo 810 (A4 printer). I managed to print a 30" x 8" stitched panormaic. Looks like this is a good DIY option for Epson owners who don't want to pay out for the Panormaic printers. Just download and install the HP Print driver and create a custom paper size which can then be used with other printers. Not sure if it will work with other printers but worth a go.

I finally got around to calibrating my printer using the free ICC profiling service when you buy FotoSpeed paper. I printed and sent the calibration chart yesterday and receiveed the profile by email today. It's spot on. What a brilliant free service and the paper is good as well.