Epson fine art paper

Ronald Garrett · #1 03-22-2008, 08:48 AM

Which side does one print on with Epson fine art paper. I look at my paper and decide first one side and then the other. Is there a secret?

Martin_Doudoroff · #2 03-22-2008, 10:29 AM

Most paper producers pack their paper with the printable side pointing up. Usually, there's something on the packaging that indicates this, but it isn't always obvious. It's really important to pay attention to how the producers pack their boxes and to maintain the correct orientation when you store the materials.

Most Epson papers have one side that looks distinctly uncoated or “cheesey”: that would be the un-printable side.

A few papers are particularly tricky, such as Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 310gsm. Because both sides look like nice paper (they are). The two sides are not quite identical, however: in good light, you can see that one side is a little smoother because of the clay coating. One trick some people use is to dampen the end of their thumb and forefinger and feel both sides of a corner they don't intend to use: the "stickier" side is the clay side.

JimHayes · #3 03-22-2008, 01:03 PM

Close to the trick I always heard: you put a corner of the paper between your lips and the lip it sticks to (upper or lower) is the side you print on.

For Epson Velvet Fine Art paper in sheets, I just remember that the printable side is always facing up when you can see the instruction sheet packed in with the paper. Then when I remove a sheet, I make sure I always have my thumb on the printable side, index finger on backside. This way I can brush paper off, load paper, inspect for defects, etc, and still know which side is up.

Ronald Garrett · #4 03-23-2008, 06:16 AM

Of the paper I use, Epson velvet fine art is the only one I have this problem with. I recently took several sheets at one time out of a pack and forgot which side was which when I got around to loading it. Still not sure I got it right. I'll pay better attention next time. Hindsight is almost always perfect?

JimHayes · #5 03-23-2008, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronald Garrett

Of the paper I use, Epson velvet fine art is the only one I have this problem with. I recently took several sheets at one time out of a pack and forgot which side was which when I got around to loading it. Still not sure I got it right. I'll pay better attention next time. Hindsight is almost always perfect?

The sticky thumb/lip trick works for Epson Velvet too. You don't want it too wet, just moist. Choose an unprinted border corner. Since I have my lips on both sides at once, I can judge small differences in adhesion.

Ronald Garrett · #6 03-24-2008, 07:38 AM

And if one uses the entire sheet of velvet fine art to print on?

Martin_Doudoroff · #7 03-24-2008, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronald Garrett

And if one uses the entire sheet of velvet fine art to print on?

Then you've got a 50% chance of being right!

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