Paper Surfaces?

oxcanary

Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2004
Messages
71
I’m interested in everybody favourite paper surfaces. For years I have used glossy, but am increasingly drawn to the look of Pearl and Satin prints. What do you all favour? Do you stick with a favourite, or do some prints ask for the use of a different surface according to their content? Or do you operate a rule assigning certain types of picture to certain surfaces?

Thanks
 

Keith Tapscott.

Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2005
Messages
1,819
Location
Plymouth. UK
Format
Multi Format
It depends on the paper type and subject. For RC papers, I like Pearl surface and gloss for FB.
For a female portrait, I might choose a semi-matt surface.
Those who like to add colouring might choose a Matt surface.
 

miha

Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2007
Messages
2,996
Location
Slovenia
Format
Multi Format
FB Matt for me.
 

Don_ih

Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2021
Messages
7,888
Location
Ontario
Format
35mm RF
I really like the surface of Art300 paper. It's not for photos where sharpness matters, though.

Kodak used to make many interesting paper surfaces. That'll never happen again.

I like Foma's matt paper better than Ilford's. I don't really like glossy rc papers but glossy fb ones are nice. I like all fb paper surfaces more if the print is mounted.
 

Alex Benjamin

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 8, 2018
Messages
2,601
Location
Montreal
Format
Multi Format
Fiber-based matte or semi-matte in general.

I find the decision between warm tone and neutral tone much more difficult to make than between matt and glossy. For some photos I have to make a work print on both WT and NT, and look at them for a long time before I can make a decision.
 
Last edited:

bdial

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 2, 2005
Messages
7,475
Location
North East U.S.
Format
Multi Format
In general , for Ilford RC, I like satin. For FB I like glossy, air dried.
But much depends on the picture.
 

Milpool

Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2023
Messages
779
Location
n/a
Format
4x5 Format
Matte and glossy, although current glossy papers are mostly too glossy for me. I’ve never liked any of the other surfaces (“pearl”, “satin” etc.).
 

JPD

Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2007
Messages
2,157
Location
Sweden
Format
Medium Format
Glossy most of the time for prints you hold in your hand or for albums, and matte for reducing reflections of framed prints. Semi-matte and satin is nice for portraits.

I don't remember what it was called, the ugly surface with tiny embossed evenly-spaced round dots. Who used that, and why?
 

Pieter12

Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2017
Messages
7,671
Location
Magrathean's computer
Format
Super8

Pebble finish?
 

cliveh

Subscriber
Joined
Oct 9, 2010
Messages
7,566
Format
35mm RF
Gloss will give you the best black.
 

koraks

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Nov 29, 2018
Messages
23,681
Location
Europe
Format
Multi Format
JPD said:
That's probably it. They should have called it "table tennis racket" instead of "silk".
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's a bit of a misnomer if you ask me.

I still have some Fomatone 532(?) that has a very similar texture. I haven't used it much. So yeah, there's a B&W equivalent. I think Agfa used to have something like this and I think it also existed in Kodak Endura/color.
 

Nicholas Lindan

Advertiser
Advertiser
Joined
Sep 2, 2006
Messages
4,252
Location
Cleveland, Ohio
Format
Multi Format
I think this was called a 'canvas' texture in the past - I imagine as a reference to an oil painting on canvas.

Kodak offered the X surface, called Tapestry, Y - Silk, R - Tweed, D & K - Fine Grained. Tapestry was the most aggressive texture.
 

koraks

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Nov 29, 2018
Messages
23,681
Location
Europe
Format
Multi Format
Nicholas Lindan said:
I think this was called a 'canvas' texture in the past
Click to expand...

It's possible, although I know that Fujifilm also had a different texture they called 'canvas', which did in fact resemble a rather artificial canvas weave (so it certainly wasn't this 'silk' finish). It was introduced only a few years ago, but I think it has already been axed as well. Since this is a color product and quite recent, it's likely different from what you mean. I don't know if what I know as 'silk' was marketed as 'canvas' earlier; it's possible I guess, although it doesn't look particularly 'canvasy' to me.

Out of the Kodak line, I'm really only familiar with the 'silk'.

I think nearly all of these are textures (on RC papers) are imprinted on the roll after the paper is coated and dried. So calendered/embossed. At least that's how Fuji does it and how Kodak AFAIK did it, as well. They're not actually different paper bases; they're quite literally 'finishes'.
 

Nicholas Lindan

Advertiser
Advertiser
Joined
Sep 2, 2006
Messages
4,252
Location
Cleveland, Ohio
Format
Multi Format

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
53,358
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
I am triggered by all the references in this thread to "Matt" surface - I refer to it as "Matte" surface.
This is actually a project that my Darkroom Group is planning - a discussion on what surfaces suit what sort of images.
This one happens to work best with glossy:

Tatra T-87

A friend of mine has restored and loves to drive his 1948 Tatra T-87.
 

JensH

Member
Joined
May 30, 2017
Messages
510
Location
Schaumburg, Germany
Format
Multi Format
Glossy fiber (111) for me.
All time favorites here are Agfa Record Rapid and Guilleminot GSP
Ilford MGW, Galerie and Forte Museum Wight are nice, too.

Didn't like the "glossy plus" Orwo Baryt Brilliant 110.

High gloss dryed 111 is fantastic, but I seldomly find the time needed.

No demi matte or matte papers for me...
 

Melvin J Bramley

Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2021
Messages
511
Location
Canada
Format
35mm
Currently looking for a good subject/negative to print up some Ilford Rayon DW .
Some Ilfomar glossy and mat still sits in my paper cupboard along with some Agfa 111 FB.
Gallerie gloss is still one of my favourite papers , I have one box remaining , just waiting to produce some good negatives.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…