Photo Paper Plus Blog

What's The Best Printer For Large Format Paper?

2010-07-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

If you're an artist or professional who prints on large format paper, you may be interested in a comparison test done informally on two leading wide format printers, the new HP Z3100 challenger and the Epson 9800.

Right away, rest easy: these two printers are both capable of the highest image quality currently available. There were visible differences in the results tested on exactly the same large format paper, but they were really only visible when prints were viewed critically side-by-side. In a blind test in a gallery, even those of us who performed the test were hard-pressed to claim which printer made which print.

We felt that the debate on image quality differences came down to quibbling. The better questions were related to reliability, ergonomics and user interface. Which is to say: we've all been in a production environment where a client is waiting for prints and the printer has a jammed paper feed or clogged heads. Which one would be better in a pinch?

Our staff was split down the middle. If you're looking for a high end large format paper printer, either one of these will probably knock your socks off.

Adhesive Vinyl Sheets, You Rock

2010-07-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

Back in the day, people interested in DIY sticker or decal making used contact paper. You remember the stuff your grandmother lined her shelves with? There was a mildly complicated process to make sure the paper was sticky enough, glossy enough, waterproof enough. It was fun, if you're into messy projects (I was), but it's no wonder not many people got into it.

Want to know the secret to today's DIY sticker and decal projects? Drum roll, please!
Adhesive vinyl sheets.

Maybe you were hoping for something more dramatic, but adhesive vinyl sheets are where it's at when it comes to printing your own stickers or decals.

As an art school student turned producer for local indie bands, I've started to think of adhesive vinyl sheets as my best friend. If I've gone to the trouble of printing a postcard for a show, and then we need to change the date, or use leftovers for another show, I just print new stickers for the back of the postcard and voila, problem solved.

Ditto for promotional stickers! I love this stuff. If you're still using contact paper, let me just say, the glory days of sticker making are now, my friend. Join the fun.

Want a Little Texture? Try Inkpress Linen Matte

2010-06-28T08:49:00.000-07:00

When you’re doing highly detailed photographic work, you ideally, don’t want the details of the image to be clouded when it’s printed out on paper. So although inkjet glossy photo paper is the most common choice for photographs, premium matte photo paper could be more practical. With matte photo paper, the images will most likely appear sharper and more defined and the details will really pop.

Colors will also be more vibrant. So if you’re working on color photography and really want to capture the reality of the image and every detail in true form, you would be better off sticking with a matte photo paper like Inkpress Linen Matte. The linen matte has the non-reflective qualities you want, but with enough texture to give it a unique yet professional feel. In addition, its texture is subtle enough that it doesn’t affect image quality at all. For enlargements or reprinting, this paper is truly the best option. The images will still look bolder and sharper, even when blown up to a larger size.

For the best selection of premium matte photo paper, including Inkpress Linen Matte, be sure to visit Photopaperplus.com!

How to Photograph Paintings for Fine Art Prints

2010-06-21T06:01:00.000-07:00

When trying to replicate a painting for fine art prints, there are two factors that determine your success: your DSLR photography skills and good photo quality inkjet paper. Here are a few tips:

-Avoid using a flash. It will create reflections on the painting and make it looked washed out.

-Take several photographs of the painting using various shutter speeds and light settings to have a good selection of photographs.

-Watch out for bright lights behind the painting that could wash out the photo. If possible drape a dark cloth behind the painting, as it will keep light from leaking over the edges of the painting.

-Don’t stand too close to the painting when photographing it and similarly, don’t use a wide angle lens setting. Your best bet is to stand about 4-6 feet back and use an ordinary lens or telephoto lens.

-Allow some of the background to be included in the shot so you can crop the image using photo editing software.

-Using a slow shutter speed will increase the focal depth and make the image more focused.

- Be sure to hold the camera very still when shooting to avoid shake and in turn, a blurry final product.

Once you're done touching up the photo with your editing software, you're ready to print it out on the photo quality inkjet paper of your choosing.

Luster: The Forgotten Photo Quality Inkjet Paper

2010-06-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

Whenever I’m printing out photos, I’m always drawn to inkjet glossy photo paper, especially if I’m shooting in black and white. In my mind professionalism correlates to bold images on glossy paper. Maybe it’s because I’m trying to replicate what I’m used to getting from the developers, I’m not sure, but recently I’ve vowed to step outside the box and try something new. That new thing was Luster paper. Wedding, portrait and school photographers have traditionally used luster paper for printing their photos mainly because of its super-subtle sheen and slightly textured feel. It really compliments close up shots, especially when they’re faces, and makes colors bold and warm.

Inkpress Luster paper, available at photopaperplus.com, is a premium resolution, resin coated, bright white photo grade paper and works with both dye and pigment inkjet printers. It dries instantly, which was a huge plus for me. I hate having to wait around and handle the photo with tweezers after I take it out of the printer, just so I don’t ruin it. Apparently its secret is that it has a new ultra-absorbent coating which keeps the inks from puddling or merely laying on top of the paper. Whatever it is I love it and it’s such a nice change from my default inkjet glossy photo paper.

Have You Tried Semi-Gloss Photo Quality InkJet Paper?

2010-06-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

When printing photos from personal computers, inkjet glossy photo paper is usually the first choice of many consumers. And for good reason! The shiny finish can give even amateur shots a professional and polished look, colors look vibrant and rich, and it reflects light well. But there are a few downers with with high-gloss papers as well: the shine may produce a glare in certain light settings, especially when framed in glass and they tend to collect fingerprints quite easily.

If you love the look of inkjet glossy photo paper but want something a little more balanced, you should consider purchasing Semi-Gloss or Satin Finish paper. This is a good middle ground between glossy and matte as it’s less shiny than high gloss, it reflects less light, it’s easy to view under strong light setting and fingerprints and dust are less of a problem. Inkpress makes a fantastic Semi-Gloss double sided paper. It’s microporous, 100% acid and lignin free, it dries instantly, and is water resistant. For high resolution printing this paper is ideal and it’s double-sided nature makes it perfect for projects like brochures, portfolios, greeting cards, scrapbooking, and making pre-press proofs.

How Paper Brightness Affects Image Quality

2010-05-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

When you’ve been shopping around for photo quality inkjet paper, you may have noticed that every package has a brightness level listed along with the weight and thickness. To the untrained eye brightness may seem like a trivial thing to include on the packaging, isn’t most paper white anyway? The answer is yes and no. Yes, all white paper is white, but different paper has different levels of whiteness. Individually all papers seem the same shade of white. But when you put them side by side, you see the subtle nuances in their colors: sometimes one’s a bit warmer and ivory-toned while the other is a strikingly cool, bright white.

The whiteness/brightness can really have an affect the vividness of an image’s print out. Specifically, the whiter and brighter a paper is the lighter and more vivid an image is going to be. The brightness level is typically expressed on a scale of 1 to 100, with 100, of course, being the brightness. Multipurpose copy paper generally tends to have brightness in the 80s while photo quality inkjet paper tends to be in the 90s. Sometimes paper manufacturers tends to use terms like Bright White and UltraBright to indicate brightness, which is actually a little misleading because the numerical indications are more precise.

Clear and Transparency InkJet Film: What's the Difference?

2010-05-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

If you’ve had the chance to browse our immense selection of photo quality inkjet paper, you may have noticed that we have a huge selection of all sorts of different professional grade photography paper. To the untrained eye, all of these types of papers may seem similar, but in reality they all have a number of little characteristics that make them special and unique.

Two categories that get confused frequently are InkJet Clear Film and InkJet Transparency Film.

Transparency Film is a special photo quality inkjet paper designed specifically for digital negatives and screen printings. The name is a little misleading because Transparency Film actually has a milky surface. It is used commonly in screen printing and for digital negatives because it needs high DMAX and heavy ink-load to look its best, but the results aren’t 100% crystal clear. Which is good because digital negatives and screen printing actually doesn’t require the images to be perfect.

Clear Film paper differs in that it is actually clear. This is the type of paper used for overhead projector presentations. (Which is confusing to me because when I was in school all of the teachers called them “transparency sheets”) These are clear because the overhead presentation process requires a 100% clear paper, but unlike the transparency film, it doesn’t need high DMAX or heavy-ink load.

Glossy or Matte?

2010-05-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

There’s nothing better than printing photos from home. I used to hate having to take film to the developer and wait around all day for the phone call to come get my prints. Now, thanks to the amazing advances in digital cameras and photo printers, I can get the same professional quality from home. But when I first started printing images from my DSLR, I was really overwhelmed with all the paper choices.

Expecting to be in and out, I went to the nearest store and was bombarded with tons of selection of paper. I had no idea there was that much to choose from. It was insane! But after a few trial and errors, I finally figured out what type of paper works for me and the prints I produce. I found that when I’m doing high contrast black and white shots, I like heavy saturation and high gloss. That means I need to stock up on inkjet glossy photo paper. I also keep premium matte photo paper for those cool, colorful shots I take using my art lenses.

Skip Hallmark This Mother’s Day: Make Your Own Card

2010-05-03T04:00:00.000-07:00

Mother’s Day is undoubtedly one of Hallmark’s biggest sales days.

Have you ever tried going into a store the week of a big holiday like Mother’s Day? It’s like being at Best Buy on Black Friday, but instead of people fighting over flat screen TVs and iPods, there’s pandemonium over greeting cards—set to the sweet sounds of Michael McDonald and Kenny G. (Is it a requirement for Hallmark stores to play such bad music?)

If you’re not looking forward to the inevitable chaos of a Hallmark store this Mother’s Day, why don’t you make your own greeting card with some photo quality inkjet paper. In actuality, homemade greeting cards are a lot more heartfelt than a mass-manufactured greeting card with an unoriginal message. And they will probably have a longer shelf-life.

In addition to photo quality inkjet paper, you can actually buy a pack of Archival InkJet Greeting Cards with matching envelopes. Making a custom card can really show your mom that you put a lot more thought, heart and sentimentality in the card. So this year, go the extra mile and make your mom something special with photo quality inkjet paper or inkjet greeting card paper.

Art Photo Printing Made Easy

2010-04-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

Large format paper is good to use, especially when you really want to emphasize a piece’s importance. That goes from advertising to specialty photos that require a big frame. Some photos look better on your camera, and then you realize that the photo may not be worth printing on large format paper, or maybe it would be better printed on inkjet glossy photo paper. In the same way that your camera has different settings, photographs can be better suited to different kinds of printing.

If you’re like me, you take photos when you go to a museum of some of your favorite works. If this is the case, printing them out can deliver better results than buying any poster of the painting at the museum gift shop. Sometimes they don’t even have a poster of the painting I like. You can use large format paper to print your photos, or you can buy special inkjet fine art paper. The latter is great for your own works too because it provides double siding so that you can showcase your photos, no matter what you’re printing.

For all of your photo printing needs, from inkjet glossy photo paper to premium matte photo paper to adhesive vinyl sheets, www.PhotoPaperPlus.com has everything you could possibly need.

A Contemporary Photographer's Tricks of the Trade

2010-04-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

I’m a photographer and my practice is dictated not just by what I want to sell, but what I deem worthy of being sold. There are a lot of aspects to photography in this day and age that determine the quality of a photo – no longer is it simply the ability to find the right scene.

When I take photos, I like to really immerse myself in my environment. I don’t want to be seen by my subjects because I want to capture the most natural human interactions. If I’m shooting a landscape, then I often wait until just the right moment to shoot, and waiting for that long usually means getting comfortable and not being disturbed.

Then, I determine which shots to keep on my computer. Photography is a game of chance, the more photos you take, the more chances you have of having great photos. After doing some basic photo editing with PhotoShop, I’ll print out my favorites on inkjet glossy photo paper. If I have some really macro shots, I’ll use inkjet glossy photo paper, otherwise I use photo quality inkjet paper, just to get an idea of whether or not I really want to print a shot on large format paper, and sell it in my gallery.

Home Printing Photos: A Moment

2010-04-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

You print out a favorite photo on inkjet glossy photo paper and as the printer chugs and huffs, you see the bottom of the print that you desire. The ink distribution is perfect and you can’t wait until it’s finished. It takes about a minute and a half to print the whole thing, as if that were a long time, and for us in our computer age of immediacy and instant email responses, it is. It was worth the wait though.

You hold it up to the light to examine it, and it’s perfect – exactly the way it looked on the computer, except larger, and tangible. Inkjet glossy photo paper is the best way to print these macro shots, you decide, and for photos with print or black and whites, the right choice is probably premium matte photo paper.

Who knew that printing photos could be so easy? Now to start thinking about large format paper for that poster sized photograph you wanted to give your little brother for his birthday. That picture of him sitting in a purple Lamborghini when he was ten that he’s definitely forgotten about. That’s the one. Those nostalgic photos are the best on inkjet glossy photo paper.

Buying Professional Photo Paper Has Never Been Easier

2010-04-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

Photo quality inkjet paper is important if you want to shoot and develop your own photographs. The kind of paper you use can make all the difference in how your photo turns out. For example, there’s premium matte photo paper, inkjet glossy photo paper, large format paper and photo quality inkjet paper.

For the best resolution, you probably want to go with inkjet glossy photo paper. This paper has a nice sheen to give your photos that lab quality that can be so difficult to come by when you’re printing at home. It’s of a solid weight that facilitates printing with large amounts of ink and doesn’t buckle or muddle your details. If, on the other hand, you’re printing something with a lot of text, but you still want photo clarity, premium matte photo paper works exceptionally well. Also heavy and shiny, the matte prevents colors bleeding and preserves high detail.

If you want to print photographs that are worthy of being hung on your wall, you can’t compromise your materials. That’s why it’s important to choose paper from the professional photo supply company: www.PhotoPaperPlus.com. If you have any questions about what kind of paper is right for you, just call at 718-438-9300 for customer service that can’t be beat.

Advertise Your Business with Large Format Paper

2010-03-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

If you are a small business owner, you may have realized that advertising is the life-force behind getting customers. No matter what your business is, if you aren’t advertising across various mediums, you probably aren’t going to have much success. But a good ad campaign, often comes at high-price. However, if you take matters into your own hands and print your own posters using large format paper, you can end up saving a bundle.

Guerilla marketing, often referred to as wild posting, is a great way to cheaply spread the word about your product. It involves printing your creative poster on large format paper, and posting them in succession in places with a lot of foot traffic. These work great in urban areas where people are more out and about.

To make your large format paper posters a success, you need a creative and graphic concept that really catches the consumer’s eye and makes them want to implore further about your company and what you do.

Make Your Own Photo Sticker with Adhesive Vinyl Sheets

2010-03-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

With your PC, some adhesive vinyl sheets and an inkjet printer, you can make your very own photo stickers. Photo Stickers can be great gifts when personalized, can be a fun project for you and your family to work on together, and they are also a great way to advertise your business. Whether you want to print a special message, a funny photo, or someone’s name, photo stickers can really add a personal touch to a gift.

How to Create Stickers with Adhesive Vinyl Sheets:
Select Flip, Mirror, Reverse, or Back Print in the printer set-up just as you would do if you were setting up and iron on T-shirt Transfer Paper

You should test the design you want before you print it out on the adhesive vinyl sheets. Do a test run on a standard piece of paper and make sure it looks how you like it.

Next, set your printer to Transfer, Glossy, Photo, or Transparency mode. You want to print your design on the vinyl side of the adhesive vinyl sheets.

Pull it out of the printer gently, being careful not to smear the design and lay it somewhere flat so it can dry.

When it’s dry it’s ready to hang and enjoy!

The Many Uses of Inkjet Glossy Photo Paper

2010-03-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

Despite it’s name, Inkjet glossy photo paper is extremely versatile for just about any printing project. Whether you’re purchasing some for serious work-related projects, or just to print out your vacation shots, Inkjet glossy photo paper has you covered.
Here are a few projects that Inkjet Glossy Photo Paper is perfect for:

For Business:
• Brochures
• Flyers
• Mailings
• Product Inserts

When printing these types of promotion materials, glossy photo paper is great because it’s slightly stiff, yet easy to fold, and it really makes the images stand out and pop. It’s best to out your brochure in software you own and are familiar with like Photoshop or Publisher. These programs often have tons of features that allow you to seamlessly make professional looking, colorful, image-filled promotional materials.

For Pleasure:
• Post Cards
• Thank You Cards
• Photo Calendars
• Scrapbooking

Glossy photo paper is great for creative projects. Again, because of it’s stiffness and ability to make the image clear and vivid, it perfect for photo related craft projects like scrapbooking and photo calendars. Making your own post cards and Thank You cards has never looked better, than with glossy photo paper.

For Professional Printing Results Use Premium Matte Photo Paper

2010-03-01T06:30:00.000-08:00

Printing from home can be pretty tricky if you don’t have the right kind of paper. But with the huge selection of different papers to choose from, finding the paper you need is often easier said than done. Regardless, printing paper isn’t something that most people can afford to go through the trial and error process with, so they want to find the right one on the first try.

When in doubt, premium matte photo paper is the way to go. This paper features a highly smooth surface with a good stiffness, perfect for professional prints. If you’re looking for vibrant colorful graphics and photos, this paper will most definitely deliver. Its micro porous surface makes ink absorption smoother, creating ripple free graphics and text. The matte finish makes it perfect for printing professional photos, posters, and other graphic or text projects. Premium matte photo paper usually dries almost instantly, which is great if you need it in a hurry or want it laminated.

If you’re interested in a more eco-friendly premium matte photo paper, you should check out InkPress Eco-Matte. This heavy, high-resolution paper with instant drying properties is made under the specific guidelines for sustainable resources that prohibit the conversion of forests for industrial purposes and the use of hazardous chemicals in the manufacturing process.

Inkjet glossy photo paper vs. Premium matte photo paper – Which is right for you?

2010-02-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

I take a lot of photographs – for family, for work, for pleasure. And when I want to print them out, it’s important to have the right kind of paper. If you’re anything like me, you want to know exactly what you’re buying and for a long time I wasn’t quite sure. So I’ve done a little bit of research between inkjet glossy photo paper and premium matte photo paper, so that you can decide what kind of photo quality inkjet paper you want for your printing needs.

Inkjet glossy photo paper is sleek and usually has a glare. Premium matte photo paper is not as shiny, and will feel slightly different. Premium matte photo paper is usually better if you are printing any text in a photograph, but for more macro shots you would probably want to print on inkjet glossy photo paper.

It’s important to buy heavy paper so that your photos do not buckle and look muddy. Usually this costs a bit extra but if you really want quality photos you know what it’s worth. Besides, the best place to go for affordable photo quality inkjet paper is photopaperplus.com. They have everything you need for printing out the best photos possible.

Try Before Your Buy with Samples of Large Format Paper

2010-02-15T09:01:00.000-08:00

Most people prefer to shop for paper online because it's the easiest way to browse a large selection and hunt for the best bargains. That being said, it's hard to know what kind of paper you actually want until you try it out. How black will your blacks look on this inkjet glossy photo paper? Will that brand of matte paper flatter your art?

Fortunately, most online photo paper distributors are willing to send you a couple of sample sheets so you can try out their products for yourself, offline. This way, you can see how your images will show up on a specific type of paper, in addition to noticing other factors, like how shiny a particular brand of glossy is.

If you're really looking to explore your options, you might enjoy ordering a sample pack of large format paper or photo quality inkjet paper. Available for around $10, these packs can contain as many as 20 different samples for you to try out. Whether you're looking for glossy, matte, or adhesive vinyl sheets, it's all in there!

The Best Greeting Cards Using Inkjet Glossy Photo Paper!

2010-02-08T09:44:00.000-08:00

There’s one I think really like about holidays and birthdays and that’s making the greeting cards by myself! Now you can also make brilliantly beautiful greeting cards by yourself and all it takes is using the right paper.

I usually get some paper of my choice, like inkjet glossy photo paper or premium matte photo paper and create my own greeting cards. You can either create the same cards for everyone or you can create individually customized cards.

So first you should choose the paper - either the premium matte photo paper or the inkjet glossy photo paper. Next, you need to find a computer program that helps you make greetings at home, I suggest something like Photoshop or Corel.

Next, you need to create your card, which is THE most fun ever. Choose from various fonts and colors, pictures and themes, your mind is the only thing limiting you now! After you're done designing your card, simply print it out using photo quality inkjet paper, cut it or fold it where it needs to be cut or folded and voila, you just made a card! It's really that easy.

To find some of our best photo quality inkjet paper for your own greeting cards or to find large format paper for your photos or adhesive vinyl sheets for your business or for entertainment, check our website out!

What You Need To Know Before You Buy Inkjet Photo Paper

2010-02-03T09:03:00.000-08:00

When it comes time for you to print out your photos using quality inkjet photo paper, there are a few things you need to know. It might seem a little confusing at first considering all the different papers available, but once you understand what each one will be for or what the end result will be, its easier to buy the paper you need. There are four things you need to look at; the finish of the paper, the weight, the caliper and the brightness of the paper. First off, you have to consider the opacity. Is the paper see through?

The higher the papers opacity, the less the ink will bleed through and if you are printing photos, you especially want to make sure it has a high opacity. Second off, the brightness. Photo papers start at 1 and end at 100. The perfect photo quality inkjet paper is going to be at about 90. If possible, try to compare two different papers side by side for a comparison to decide which one to use. White paper is not all the same! Next, the weight of the paper - which will be stated in pounds. Each type of paper is going to have its own weight.

Bond papers will usually have 24 to 71 lbs. Heavier paper is usually the better way to go with something like photos. Next, the caliper, is going to be the thickness of the paper. If you want better ink coverage, look for a thicker paper like 4.3mil to 10.4 mil. Photo paper is going to be at about 7-10mils. Now you move on to the various types of paper. For premium matte photo paper, this paper will have a non-shiny look and appear soft yet non-reflective. Premium matte photo paper is much thicker that regular paper and may be printer on both sides of the paper.

For inkjet glossy photo paper, this is going to be the exact opposite of matte. It will have a shiny finish to it, like that of most photographs when you get them developed at a photo store. This is usually the more common paper used for photography, but the choice is yours! You can also choose from large format paper as well, this is great for those of you with a large format printer if you want to do things like large photos, murals and posters! Lastly, you have adhesive vinyl sheets. These sheets are used for things like banners, posters, and usually come in rolls rather than stacks like the other papers. This type of paper is also better for indoor or outdoor use.

Print Beautiful, Glossy Photographs with Photo Paper

2010-01-25T03:53:00.000-08:00

When it came to buying a digital camera, I held off longer than any of my friends. I didn’t care about the features, the megapixels, the sleek new designs, the memory cards… All I cared about what the photograph. Could I hold it? Could I frame it? Could I incorporate it into a collage? And unless you’re printing on photo paper, the answer is always a big fat no.

On regular paper, the colors and depth of your image fall flat on the page. Plus, when you pick it up, it doesn’t even feel like a photo.

Fortunately, photo paper allows you to experience the best of both traditional and digital photography. I get the satisfying feeling of holding my art in my hands, and the flexibility of digital cameras. (As it turns out, those megapixels are pretty cool.)

But wait, isn’t all photo paper expensive? I used to think so, but then I found www.PhotoPaperPlus.com, a website that specializes in paper for the printing of photography, art, and even film and video—all at a great price! Whether you’re shopping for casual use or looking for professional photo paper, you’d better zoom in on Photo Paper Plus.

Welcome to Photo Paper Plus Blog!

2010-01-19T13:07:00.000-08:00

Remember the good old days when we used to sit around the table and look at our family photos? Yup. These were the days. I certainly miss the good old times we had, sharing memories and moments together. But now it’s all about digital photography, and it’s not that we don’t take photos anymore, it’s just that they are all stored on the computer and we never get the chance to view them together, if at all.

But the fact that photography has gone digital doesn’t mean we have to skip the album part. Heck, all you need is a photo, a computer and a printer. Oh, and the last thing you probably want is a good quality photo paper.

Printing your images on an office paper won’t do of course. It doesn’t look any good and will fade away as time goes by. When planning to print and develop photos at home, you need PhotoPaperPlus as your photo paper provider.

At www.PhotoPaperPlus.com you’ll find the best Inkjet Photo Paper, Inkjet Art Paper and Inkjet Film and Vinyl for your specialty prints, and all at low low prices.

Go ahead, make your memories last and make them look good! Visit us today at PhotoPaperPlus and don’t forget to check out this blog for more news, deals, and photo paper tips!