Paper types for inkjets?

[Ford]

Could someone tell me please, or point me to an FAQ on paper types?

I want to know how to interpret the different paper settings offered by a
printer driver (eg my Canon gives a choice of "glossy photo paper, photo
paper plus, photo paper pro glossy" etc).
- Which setting do I choose when I've brought some new paper?
- What does the printer actually do differently when I change the paper
setting?
- Is this just a trick to make you buy the printer company's own paper?

Thanks!

Ford

 

[Mark Herring]

Could someone tell me please, or point me to an FAQ on paper types?

I want to know how to interpret the different paper settings offered by a
printer driver (eg my Canon gives a choice of "glossy photo paper, photo
paper plus, photo paper pro glossy" etc).
- Which setting do I choose when I've brought some new paper?
- What does the printer actually do differently when I change the paper
setting?
- Is this just a trick to make you buy the printer company's own paper?

Thanks!

Ford

I have never seen a FAQ on this. If you browse some of the vendor
sites, you'll get some ideas.

The printer does not care about the paper, but the INK certainly does.
Certain combos simpy do not work---eg certain pigments on glossy
paper.

There have got to be well over 1000 combos of ink and paper type out
there. The only thing unique about what a manufacturer recommends is
that they have tested that particular combo and will stand by it.
**************************
Mark Herring, Pasadena, Calif.
Private e-mail: Just say no to "No".

 

[Ford]

The printer does not care about the paper, but the INK certainly does.

So, why does the driver ask you what sort of paper you are using, if it's
irrelevant?

My Canon 865 gives me a choice of six types of paper, ignoring
transparencies etc. If the printer doesn't care about the paper, why do it
make me choose?

Ford

 

[Jim]

The printer driver needs to know the paper type so that it can tell the
printer how much ink (and the proportions of each) to apply to the paper.

For instance a thin paper can't absorb as much ink as one that is heavier.

Jim

 

[Ford]

The printer driver needs to know the paper type so that it can tell the
printer how much ink (and the proportions of each) to apply to the paper.

For instance a thin paper can't absorb as much ink as one that is heavier.

Right. So how can I work out which of the paper descriptions listed by my
Canon printer is right for say Kodak paper (other than expesive
trial-and-error with a range of different settings and pictures?

Ford

 

[mark herring]

If you are using non-Canon paper, then it is good old trial and error.

However, there is some similarity in the behavior of papers in some very
broad categories:
Plain----use the low dpi settings
360 dpi or "hi-quality" inkjet---use 360 or 720
Matte: 720 or 1440
Glossy 14440 or 2880

(These are Epson numbers---Canon is similar)

--
******************
Mark Herring
Pasadena, CA, USA
private e-mail: just say no to "No"

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