The Write Stuff
(January, 2005)
We recognize the value of email correspondence, internet search tools, and television and radio news and commentary, but the printed word will continue to be a key means of communication in society. The paper you hold in your hands is evidence of this fact. And that’s why even computers have printers attached to them.
We use our printers to copy off those emails and web pages, write letters and generate reports. But printers allow us to explore our creative side as well. I’m guessing most folks with computers have tried their hand at arts and crafts. Who has not generated at least one greeting card, sign, banner, or poster? It doesn’t take long to realize that your run of the mill 20 pound paper is fine for printing out emails, but for greeting cards you’ll fare much better with at least 24 pound paper (60 lb. would be even better), preferably with a high brightness rating.
I recently acquired a new Canon inkjet photo printer to replace another Canon whose print head failed prematurely. The first thing I ran through it was a photograph I took with my digital camera, using 4x6 Canon photo paper that came with the printer. When the photo exited the printer, I could barely believe my eyes. I showed it to my bride and witnessed an actual jaw-dropping experience. That photo truly looked like it came from the photo lab. To get that kind of result, you need reasonably good equipment, sure, but you also need the right paper.
I ran my own Consumers Reports type of test last year on photo papers. I went out and spent an absurd amount of money (which will remain secret because my bride does read these articles) in order to sample about ten different papers. I printed the same photo on each of them, using the same photo file and same program. The results were revealing. If anyone ever doubted that the right paper makes for the right results, this was the proof.
My favorite 8-1/2 x 11 paper for high quality output is HP’s Premium High Gloss Film, item Q1973A. This paper has a surface feel reminiscent of Mylar and an almost pearlescent sheen. But at about a buck a sheet, you want to be very selective about when to use it. Staples’s Professional High Gloss Photo Paper ($.77) also generated excellent photos. For a picture with a matte finish, the Epson Color-Life Photo Paper ($.61 per sheet) gave outstanding results. And for a very flat matte finish, Epson Double Sided Matte Paper ($.32) yielded beautiful pictures. For a more artsy-craftsy look, paper with a higher rag content can be purchased (I used paper from Hawk Mountain at www.hawkmtnartpapers.com). For 4x6 photos, I’ve tried Canon Photo Paper Pro, Staples Professional High Gloss Phot Paper, and Konica QP Inkjet Paper and achieved outstanding results with all three.
New inkjet print media has been introduced which provides added opportunities for you to express your creativity. Did you know you can buy media for your printer that will allow you to make your own temporary tattoos? How about printing your own personalized window-cling films to decorate your kitchen? Even holographic ink-jet compatible media is available for a prismatic effect. For a rich look, you can buy gold or silver paper designed for ink-jets. By printing yellow on silver metallic media, you’ll get print that looks like gold inlay, and by printing orange on silver, your output will look like bronze. You can even buy a printable plastic media that will run through your printer and can then be baked in your oven to create your own personalized emblems or keychain holders.
That boring looking printer can do some pretty amazing things if you pair it up with ‘the write stuff’. Here are a couple of web links where you can check out some of these products: www.paper-paper.com, www.papilio.com, and www.mcgpaper.com. Have fun!