Paper Choices Part 2 - Permajet & the Final Reckoning
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the print room …
After exhausting myself testing papers from Hahnemuhle (excellent but pricy), Innova (good but lacking ICC profiles for the Canon Pro-2600). Pinnacle (ditto Innova), Canson (ditto Hahnemuhle) and Fotospeed, I thought I’d put to bed my paper choices, for everything from a flat white to a frothy cappuccino. What I’d not reckoned on or tested was Permajet paper, and so after a few weeks rest and recuperation, I went once more into the breach, put my best eyes back in, and entered the (deliberately not technical) testing zone. The result is that I’ve become a big fan.
Though I thought I’d decided on papers, I needed a replacement for my regular smooth matt paper (no generic profile and the custom profile made no difference), and was curious to see if there were more cost effective alternatives to Hahnemuhle Fine Art Baryta and Photo Rag Satin. Last but not least, I can’t resist trying any metallic paper.
… And unlike poor old Bono, I found what I was looking for, in the form of Permajet’s Omega, FB Distinction, Photo Art Silk and Titanium Gloss.
Titanium Gloss is akin to printing on liquid mercury. The effect is simply stunning. I set out looking for a replacement for printing on aluminium. This, without a shadow of a doubt, is it. The detail is exquisite, the ink floats on the page, and the colours pop straight through your eyeballs and lock onto the pleasure receptors in your brain. If you want high, immediate impact, look no further! It may need handling with care: white gloves, rose petals, good wine, that sort of thing, and you’ll probably have the odd mishap and heart break along the way, but then that’s the price of true love.
Photo Art Silk. Is it a matt, is it a satin, is it a silk? Who cares! It has just the right amount of shimmer, sheen and subtle texture, to elevate it above the hordes of white matt offerings, but not enough to feel like it’s slapped you around the face. It’s an understated beauty, oozing tranquillity and charm, perfect for those quiet, contemplative, low contrast moments. I really like it and it’s now my default paper for landscapes.
FB Distinction. I’ve spent so much time looking at baryta papers that I can now pronounce the word “baryta” with confidence (I still struggle with “bokeh”). Hahnemuhle’s Fine Art Baryta was my final choice, and I was quite prepared to fork out the not inconsiderable amount of money for the privilege, but then I tested FB Distinction. To my eyes it looks its equal, and, not to get too Yorkshireman about it, it’s less harmful on your pocket. But don’t take this as a comparison decided on price. FB Distinction stands up in its own right. The prints drip with tone, intensity and contrast. Why Distinction rather than FB Gold Silk? It’s all about nuances and personal preference! For black and white, cityscapes, night shots and anything else that deserves to look like a photograph born of the darkroom, this is my go to paper.
Omega Rag 310. Everyone needs an archival smooth white in their paper collection and there’s countless varieties to choose from, each with a slightly subtle difference in colour and texture. I’m not really sure how to choose one over another, or, if I’m honest, how enthusiastic I can get about a flat white, but of the papers I’ve looked at, printed on, carried out blind tests with, etc. the Omega Rag 310 always rose to the top. It’s archival, thick enough to eat your dinner from (and wash in the dishwasher afterwards) and prints nicely, so does its job well, without fuss or bother. If you need a low maintenance standard, this might be it!
So the final reckoning is (drum role and fanfare please).
Matt Smooth White – Permajet Omega Rag 310
Matt Silk – Permajet Photo Art Silk
Matt Textured – Hahnemuhle Torchon
Semi-Gloss / Baryta – Permajet FB Distinction
Metallic Textured – Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Metallic
Metallic Smooth – Permajet Titanium Gloss.
My testing days are done!
Just to finish. I should thank Colin, from The Imaging Warehouse, for travelling to our remote location. In these days of robotic answering machines, AI and chatbots, a real person paying a visit to have a real conversation is, today, a precious rarity (and it must be be said completely counter to my experience of dealing with others). For absolute clarity, I need to state that Colin’s visit had no bearing on the final paper choices - this is an unbiased review - but the fact he made the effort, was the prompt for me to take a look at the Permajet range.