Photo Paper Question.

[SpartanWarrior]

At the moment I am using this paper which is very good,
http://www.photopaperdirect.com/pro...er-Pearl-Premium-280g-Buy-50-Get-50-Free.html
and am thinking of trying
this paper out also as it is much cheaper
http://www.etikettenstar.de/photo.php?cat=287
I am mostly a Landscape/Nature photographer but also do weddings and almost always send the pictures in for digital album, but a lot of times the couple wants me to print photos for them to hang on there wall or to send out to family members, has anyone maybe compared these photo papers or tried label ocean to see if it of good quality? thanks

 

[Emulator]

I often use the PPD satin/pearl paper or their gloss paper, I think I prefer the satin pearl. I have not tried the second brand you mention.

There is one characteristic of the microporous finish which does not get mentioned when ink fading is discussed in fade test threads. The ink absorbed through the micro pores is supposed to receive some additional protection from the coating, from both UV and air born contaminates.

 

[SpartanWarrior]

I often use the PPD satin/pearl paper or their gloss paper, I think I prefer the satin pearl. I have not tried the second brand you mention.

There is one characteristic of the microporous finish which does not get mentioned when ink fading is discussed in fade test threads. The ink absorbed through the micro pores is supposed to receive some additional protection from the coating, from both UV and air born contaminates.

PPD Satin Pearl for it's price is actually darn good paper, I might just order the Label Ocean just to see but if it's like the Photo Paper that Lidl brings it's should be pretty good as well

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

There are/were other threads running about the Lidl/Aldi/Sihl papers, as well Labelocean etc.
Just to make it short - microporous paper is accelerating the fading by ozone, see resp. test by Willhelm - http://www.wilhelm-research.com/ and Aardenburg testing. Swellable paper is not common anymore but provides the surface protection you would assume.

There are two paper types - cast coated and PE papers, the cast coated ones are the budget papers like Labelheaven etc, the coating goes onto the paper/carton carrier, and the ink solvent penetrated it depending on the ink density and may let the paper/carton back bulge here and there, the PE papers have a very thin PE foil layer on both sides of the carton, and the coating is placed on top of the Polyethylen layer, thus the solvent cannot go into the paper back, and such papers feel more like typical foto papers from the digial foto shops, those PE papers are more expensive, all major brands like Sihl, HP, Tecco are made like this.

 

[Emulator]

I am not sure it is that simple, see one of your refs.

http://www.wilhelm-research.com/pcworld/PC_World_Lack_of_Standards.pdf

PPD comment that the ink penetrates the micro pores in the coating. If it is exposed how is the print instant dry and water resistant?
http://www.photopaperdirect.com/blog/?p=118

http://cool.conservation-us.org/coolaic/sg/emg/library/pdf/wilhelm/wilhelm_paper_feb_2002.pdf
Shows very variable fade life figures for both types of ink and paper.

I think much of this data is out of date. Certainly as you say swellable papers are not available. Most of the articles on the web are over ten years old.

The top grade Canon paper also uses the same technique, with nano pores.

 

[Ink stained Fingers]

since that swellable papers are only available as pretty special and unusual types the discussion is pretty theoretical - the pores of a microporous coating do not just provide a path for the ink to invade the coating but as well for ozone. There are most likely variances between papers. I did some test about 6 months ago with an ink fading pretty fast overall - the fading progressed visibly slower on a swellable paper, and even somewhat slower on plain paper. O.k., photo prints on plain paper don't really make much sense , but it was for a test that typical photopapers don't provide any fade protection but make it worse. But since most are of that microporous type for other good reasons there is no real alternative.