Proofing Paper

[MacTwidget]

I'm just curious as to what proofing paper others are using for their hi-res contract proofs.
And on what proofer.
I have an Epson Stylus Pro 9900 with Oris Color Tuner // Web and am using CGS Oris Proof Satin.
I am asking because the Oris paper is outrageously expensive and we are looking at alternatives.

Thanks.

[Al Ferrari]

The paper does not have to be expensive to yield high quality proofs. What is verr...rry important is that you have a quality profile for that specific paper on your specific device.

I recommend Chromix color services: CHROMiX - Color Management, Custom ICC Profiles, ColorSync

Al

[gordo]

The paper does not have to be expensive to yield high quality proofs. What is verr...rry important is that you have a quality profile for that specific paper on your specific device.

It's also important that the OBA (Optical Brightening Agent) content of the proofing paper is as close as possible to the OBA content of the substrate you're printing on.

best, gordo

[Al Ferrari]

It's also important that the OBA (Optical Brightening Agent) content of the proofing paper is as close as possible to the OBA content of the substrate you're printing on.

That's an excellent point Gordon. But one that can only be practically addressed by printers using a limited number of stocks in production, such as publication printers. But this is not something that a commercial printer can take into account on a routine basis.

But by the way, how would a printer go about obtaining such information from the paper suppliers?

Al

[Stephen Marsh]

I use (and we sell) Kodak Matchprint Inkjet Proofing Paper.

The top of the line Semi Matte 240gsm Type 1 proofing paper or the economy Semi Matte 190gsm proofing paper is capable of meeting Fogra 39 proofing without a simulated background tint.

I believe that for standards based proofing, the paper is important (L*a*b* tolerance and consistency from batch to batch) - however this is part of a total system; including ICC device profiles and ICC DeviceLink profiles connecting a standard such as F39 to the proofer/media output profile. For proofing, one may print with Relative Colorimetric rendering intent - or a DeviceLink can be built using Absolute Colorimetric rendering intent with a zeroed out paper white value (which may give better results if proofing to a standard).

P.S. An older discussion can be found here:

What do you think is the best proofing media?


Stephen Marsh

[gordo]

That's an excellent point Gordon. But one that can only be practically addressed by printers using a limited number of stocks in production, such as publication printers. But this is not something that a commercial printer can take into account on a routine basis.

But by the way, how would a printer go about obtaining such information from the paper suppliers?

Al

Well, while the commercial printer may deal with a greater variety of substrates than publication printers, they can still be aware that OBAs are an issue that they, and their customers, need to be aware of. Paper suppliers are practically useless in providing meaningful information about their products. One thing that printers can do about the problem is outlined here: Quality In Print: The issues of Optical Brightening Agents in paper and ink - part 5 of 5

best, gordo

[gordo]

I use (and we sell) Kodak Matchprint Inkjet Proofing Paper.

What's the OBA content of your proofing paper?

gordo

[Stephen Marsh]

What's the OBA content of your proofing paper?

gordo

I am not sure Gordo, and I have yet to find a blacklight (it is on my shopping list) - and I have not seen a material data sheet mentioning this.

The paper white when measured with an uncut/non-uv filtered i1 reads as: L*96 a*0.3 b*-2.7

Note the "low" negative b* value, I use this as an unscientific, personal guide to OBA content.

I think that I also once read that one can use the spectral values to help determine OBA content, however I am not sure what to look for.

______

An uncoated lightweight plan printing paper that I recently measured had the following values:

Uncut i1: b* -8.3

UV Cut i1: b* -0.4

The differences in reported values and the high negative b* value of the uncut spectro would lead me to suspect that this plan print paper has a large OBA content.


Stephen Marsh

[MacTwidget]

I understand all the color aspects of the paper and proofing.
I was just wondering what others out there are using.

[Sev]

I understand all the color aspects of the paper and proofing.
I was just wondering what others out there are using.

We are using Kodak Matchprint Pro Coated SM240P Media, on our Epson 7890, which along with the SpectroProofer gives us very good results.

-Sev