Computer Paper question

[Canadawwi]

I'd like to print our my Great War research using an colour inkjet printer. I want to make something that looks acceptable as a booklet.

There are a few photos on each page, and I want to print double sided.

I previously did this through a business using laserjet, but would like to try it at home.

What paper should I use to preserve the photo quality, plus print double sided without bleeding through?

I saw a variety of choices and all are expensive, so I don't want to experiment too much.

Matte photo paper seems to be a possibility - but is it too high quality for my purpose?

There is also a double sided brochure paper, but perhaps this paper is too thick.

What do you use? Recommendations?

Thanks in advance, Marika.

[ian turner]

Marika,

Not tried it on both sides myself, but I have some Kodak Glossy double-sided photo paper (it states that it prints on both sides). Would not know what it is like for printing text, but it should be ok for photos, and would not bleed through.

It is not as thick as the usual one-sided photo paper either.

Ian

[burlington]

Marika

I would advise against using any paper that the manufacturer has not specified as being suitable for inkjets.

I don't know about the glossy photo paper partly because I am not sure if the inks used in a normal inkjet are the same as used in photo printers.

there are some high quality papers around especially for inkjets eg HP's Superior Inkjet paper at 180 GSM, Professional Inkjet paper at 120 GSM and Bright White at 90 GSM

Hope this is helpful

Good luck

Martin

[burlington]

Marika- as a p.s to my previous posting, HP Bright white paper is 'ideal for colour presentations and graphics'- their words not mine!

[Canadawwi]

Thank you to Ian Turner and Burlington for your replies.

The problem I have had is that the paper soaks up too much ink, and the end effect is blurry. This has happened with supposed Bright White Ink Jet paper that I have purchased in the past.

For example I bought Weyerhaeuser, ImagePrint, professional Ink Jet paper which says bright white on the packaging. It has 92 brightness and 24 lb weight. It is not working very well at all, in fact, the colours run together. Now I have about 500 sheets left, and I don't want to make another mistake.

The matter photo papers I have seen are heavier but come in a matte finish. These are about $20 for 50 sheets.

I will take down your comments and visit the office supplies shop again.

I need to print out about 240 pages, so I don't want it too thick, but I was hoping to be able to afford to print at least a few copies.

Thanks again, Marika

[Dragon]

Is the 240 pages one book(let) or the total of several copies of a smaller booklet?

I always print photos on matte photographic paper using my inkjet printer, but I should have thought it was too thick in a booklet. There's also the problem of permanence; if someone drops the precious booklet in a puddle...

I think in your situation, as well as discussing the project with a specialist office supplies shop, I would make use of somewhere like HP's creative website where there are suggestions for projects and answers to all sorts of specialist needs. It's a passworded section of the HP site; you have to register, but after that it's free. I think they have a facility for asking questions by email, but I may be remembering wrongly. I haven't got the URL handy, but I can seek it out later on.

Pascal's final comment is spot on!

Gwyn

[Plan]

Pascal's final comment is spot on!

Gwyn

I deleted the post Gwyn refered to as it was not very useful. But the comment was:

"Judging from your website (Canadawwi's), I sincerly hope you find a way to publish the "booklet", in whatever form. "

Pascal

[Guest]

You should not get any bleed through on any reasonably decent quality 80 gsm paper and quite a lot of 70 gsm. If you do, your printer is delivering too much ink.

[Canadawwi]

HI!

Thanks for all the replies. I really appreciate it. I am going to go and try and get something today.

The 240 pages mean it would take up 120 pages if double sided. That was why I was thinking the Photo paper would get a bit thick. It already fills up a 3" binder printed on plain paper. Gwyn pointed out the problem with thickness.

The image below is a sample of the average amount of colour on a page. There are also quite a few pages with at least 3 images/page.

The suggestion of the HP website makes sense. There is also a possibility of a problem with the printer (Epson Stylus Photo 820 - a lot of complaints on their web forum), but when I asked at the store last time the clerk said not to use cheap paper as I'm going to waste a lot of toner as it absorbs it too much.

I am trying to buy something soon, as I'm considering starting with a 25 page booklet (condensed version) of the above to give out around Christmas.

Thanks again to all the responders, Marika