Anyone using the Ilford Smooth Pearl

[Nikonfreak]

Anyone using the Ilford Smooth Pearl?

I got a couple of sample sheets of it from a friend and I really like the results when printing off of the Epson 1800 with that paper.

I picked up a box (red box) of the 13X19, the 11 X 17 and the 8.5 X 11 today.

Does Ilford make that paper in 4X6?

Julio

[Blinky]

Originally Posted by Nikonfreak

Anyone using the Ilford Smooth Pearl?
...
Julio

It's my #1 photo paper. I buy it in 24"x100' Rolls and slice it into 10' rolls, 13" and 11" wide. Media Street provides a color profile for it and their G-Chrome inks. Love the stuff.

I've used 100 sheet boxes in 8-1/2x11 too but have no idea if they make 4x6.

Chip

[Nikonfreak]

Whoa. Do you have an industrial cutter?

Julio

[mikej]

I've been using the Ilford Smooth Pearl with my Epson 2200 for several years now. The Epson paper is pretty good, but the Ilford is great.

Mike

[Blinky]

Originally Posted by Nikonfreak

Whoa. Do you have an industrial cutter?

Nope, I do it on a table I use for cutting and trimming in general... it's a holdover from a previous business. All it really is though is a desk covered with soft, flexible roll flooring, the kind that doesn't need to be glued. I just replace the surface once it starts to get sliced up. It's almost like a self healing surface, one sheet will last for a long time if your careful... which you have to be anyway.

The paper goes off the end into a makeshift catcher of sorts, just some soft, clean fleece draped to make a saddle.

I use an aluminum t-square (with scale) to make dots every 24" on the back of the paper as I roll it out and a long aluminum rule as a cutting guide. I just slice it with an exacto knife. It's important to have cotton gloves whenever you handle the paper.

I was skeptical about this at first, thinking I would have scratches on the paper but so far so good. I'm just very gentle and never slide the paper. I started doing it after I got the cutting technique figured out making really big prints for displays and stuff. I should note that it doesn't pay to be in a hurry... the only paper I ruined was a section I bled all over after slicing into my thumb... waaay into my thumb; it took a couple of months to heal.

On one job I bought a 44" x 100' roll of fine art paper (Epson Textured) and cut it down into 11" wide rolls by leaving it on the spindle and slicing it with a knife while I turned it... which failed. I ultimately used a hack saw which was fine for the particular application. It was HARD to cut, lemme tell ya.

Chip

[Mr. Pickles]

You cut a 44" wide roll of paper into 11" wide rolls of paper? That is hard core...

[Nikonfreak]

Wow... Blinky...

Why don't you go to a local commercial printer. They typically will have cutters that could slice the roll up for you and they might not charge you but a few bucks.

I used to do a lot of financing for printers and many would take me through their shops and some had cutters that could cut a stack of paper 24" thick or more.

Julio

[Blinky]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

You cut a 44" wide roll of paper into 11" wide rolls of paper? That is hard core...

Of course I'm hard core... remember my introduction picture? ... I'm cute and know everything about women too!

Chip

[Blinky]

Originally Posted by Nikonfreak

Wow... Blinky...

Why don't you go to a local commercial printer. They typically will have cutters that could slice the roll up for you and they might not charge you but a few bucks.

I used to do a lot of financing for printers and many would take me through their shops and some had cutters that could cut a stack of paper 24" thick or more.

Julio

Well, technically they were the competition. It was one roll of art paper for a limited edition printing... we normally didn't do that sort of volume on editions. Hell, I thought it would be easy until I was well into it... It worked out, took a few hours instead half an hour. No biggie. I used to work for printers a lot too, I actually wanted into the business for a while... but not anymore... cutthroat.

I don't have it handy but I did a pretty broad cost analysis and buying by the roll was MUCH cheaper per square foot than by the sheet.

Chip

[Nikonfreak]

I have to tell you, the prints with that Ilford paper are absolutely gorgeous.

Thanks for the input folks. I am seriously impressed with the prints off my Epson 1800 and the Ilford paper. Sensational.

Julio

[KenC]

On my Epson 4000 is has virtually no bronzing, whereas the Epson Semi Luster paper has lots of bronzing. And reported elsewhere, the Ilford Pearl has less outgassing problems than Epson papers (which are claimed to be the worst). I just got a 17"X100' roll today for some exhibition prints.

Ken

[jaguar]

I use most of Ilford's different papers.....best one is fine art....with a Canon i9900 printer.. best paper I have used.

[Nikonfreak]

I just printed off a 13X19 of an image from the Billboards Awards show performance that will be framed and given to the artist.

I printed the image off my Epson 1800 with the Ilford Smooth Pearl ... I gotta tell you, it's a gorgeous print. I'm really pleased with the printer and the Ilford paper.

Now one of these days I'll get to printing larger than 13" wide... Epson will definitely have my business.

I'm really excited to have one of my prints going to the artist. I'm having the client send my business card with the print! You never know...

Julio

[bvaughn4]

Hi Julio

Did you notice any bronzing on the prints? I tried the Ilford (and Epson premium luster) in my 2200 with the Epson Ultrachrome inks and seemed to get too much bronzing to suit me. Granted that under glass or sprayed, it almost disappeared. I love the texture of the paper, but couldn't get past that effect. Does the 1800 use Ultrachrome or K3 inks?

Bill

[Nikonfreak]

I didn't see any bronzeing that I know of. I wasn't really looking for it though.

The colors looked great, but it did take a little longer to dry than I'm used to. Had one print where a speck of dust settled on it and it stuck, we didn't notice and it dried in place. Ended up having to reprint one pano.

The 1800 does not use the K3 inks.

Julio

[Liza]

I absolutely love that paper and don't use anything else. It's wonderful!

[JDArt]

I've used it, yes. It's a good paper. A bit expensive, though.

[cyclone]

Back to one of the original questions, on Atlex.com, they sell a 4x6" size of the the Ilford Smooth Pearl.

[JohnJ80]

I used to use it, but I've come to favor Red River Polar Satin and Ultra Satin over the Smooth Pearl.

When I got my Printfix Pro and started doing my own profiles, I found that I was able to get better results with those two papers. To me, the ilford looked a little muddy and less detail. The RR Polar Satin and Ultra Sation, on the other hand are really crisp - much better than i was ever able to get with the Ilford paper.

I still like if for 4x6's - but mainly since I have a bunch of it left and need to use it up.

J.

[Big Kahuna]

I love it. It looks great from my Canon 9000.
CompUSA's are closing all their stores in the St. Louis area.
When I heard this I went to the three stores closet to work and
bought every box they had in stock.