Hey Folks,

I am hoping to find some sales on Epson Premium Luster paper. About two years ago, there was a sale at one of the giants for about 30 cents a sheet. Needless to say, I purchased enough to last me until now.

I went to B&H the other day and paid 60 cents a sheet - a bit more than I want to - for 50 sheets. I hit the Epson forum at DPReview and I was told about the following folks:

http://www.inkjetart.com/photo_papers/ceramic/luster_duo.htm

Apparantly they have a generic that is quite good. However, I am hesitant to pick up an order until I hear if you need custom profiles (which they sell).

Thanks!
-JM

I have been very happy with the Ilford glossy I bought at Sam's club for $21 for 100 sheets. I have found it as good as the Epson and heck, at that price, it is worth it!

I think if you request it, Sam's will pick up the pearl too

Hi Juli,

Thanks for the information! Are you using custom profiles for the Ilford paper? I tried Ilford a while ago and was not 100% happy with the print output - though I was still new to the Epson 2200 at the time and much of the problems may have been my own.

-JM

Honestly, my printer is so old and very consumer, that I don't think there is a profile for it. I have the Epson 785 EPX, which, really did a nice job on the ilford paper.

I don't have any epson paper left, so, I really can't do a quick comparison.

I am trying to decide if it is worth it to buy a new printer(I probably would only go to the 1800) or if it would just be cheaper and easier to go to a lab.

I use the ILFORD Pearl(same at the epson Luster) finish & really like it... I still use the epson profiles & have had no problem with it... I do also have the smooth gloss & it's working great also, well if you like that finish, some of my clients do... I really like the epson paper & use for my own prints but when printing for clients I don't like the epson logo to be on the back... mainly because I had comments made about it & said ok I have to find a different route, people can be funny... LOL

Hey JAJ,

That has been my same issue. The Epson paper rocks however, the Epson logo on the back is not always helpful. Having said that, it is what it is.

I just picked up a hundred sheets of Ilford Gloss tonight. I hope to test it out over the next few days.

-JM

Welp, I just tried out the Ilford Smooth Gloss that war recommended. I am surprisingly pleased with the results. First, the output is very good so long as you remember to switch all of your profiles (I am using the Epson Semi Gloss settings).

The paper is about 1/3 the cost of Epson paper (23 cents per sheet vs 60 cents per sheet). I cannot wait to pick up a package of Pearl.

-JM