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This paper has to be seen to be believed, it's really gorgeous. It's a high gloss media with a remarkable metallic pearl finish. With the right images it can really make them sing like no other paper - with a highly three dimensional look.
Chromajet Metallic Pearl is the best inkjet match for Kodak's classic Endura Metallic paper (but it's actually better than the Kodak stuff!).
Very high gloss and with a unique `pearlescent` appearance (warm grey base tone), it's a very high impact paper great for landscapes and architectural images. This should be tried by everyone at least once, for the right images it is a truly remarkable paper.
Here's their blurb:
Centurion Metallic Pearl Photo Paper is a premium inkjet paper with a unique pearlescent surface finish, designed for use with an inkjet printer. The finish is similar to traditional silver-halide metallic photographic papers and offers exceptional image clarity and brilliant colour reproduction with a cool, high-gloss metallic finish with a blue iridescence.
Chromajet Centurion papers are compatible with any inkjet printer and require no special inks, or finishing techniques to achieve the metallic pearl effect. Used for the application of photography and art print reproductions, this media is compatible with both dye and pigment inks has an excellent black density, huge colour gamut volume and features a unique high-gloss metallic finish. This media is also quick drying and wipefast with a high batch-to-batch stability and high moisture resistance.
Best printing results occur in a standard environment on 15-25 degrees celcius and 40-60% relative humidity. For problem-free running, always store the printing medium in the original packaging and protect it from sunlight and moisture.
The 100% virgin fibre media is sourced from sustainable forests and has received the Nordic Swan Award; the most demanding ecological mark in international paper. The manufacturing mill maintains ISO14001 Environmental Management System Certification, recycles water, uses waste products as an energy source with waste and effluent treatment systems in place. There are no detectable dioxin discharges in the manufacture of this product.
Construction
Fibre Based
Substrate
100% Virgin Fibre
(acid free)
Paper Weight
255 gsm
Surface Texture
Gloss
White Tone
Pearlescent
Optical Brighteners?
Please note: Specifications are provided as a guide only.
We try very hard to keep these up to date and correct, but if a particular specification is really critical to you, then please double check the specification directly with the manufacturer. Some features may of course have caveats not fully described here.
To get more information about a particular specification, use the arrow to get a 'Specxplanation'.
Described simple, papers are constructed in two main ways:
Resin Coated papers are the 'modern' approach. These use less fibre and replace the fibre with resin (a nice name for plastic). This means these papers are relatively cheap, strong and robust, but tend to be less attractive to the touch, and accept less ink. They tend to have a clinical appearance and it's hard to write on the back of them. They tend to be popular in the consumer and wedding/portrait markets. Important to note: these papers are difficult or impossible to recycle because of their plastic content.
Fibre Based papers are traditional papers made without plastic, using only plant fibres. These tend to accept more ink and have a more attractive appearance, and these are the papers most of our customers favour. These papers are fully recyclable and we thus strongly recommend you use fibre based papers whenever possible.
What is the paper base made from?
Possibilities include:
Is this paper acid free?
Acid in paper leads to earlier yellowing and the paper will also become brittle more quickly. Thus for a paper to be archival, it needs to be acid free.
Papers which are not acid free are generally best used for proofing (test printing), and shorter term purposes. That is, they are not considered to be a fine art level product, or suitable for print sales into the art or professional photography markets.
This does not, of course, mean these papers will vanish or discolour overnight - they generally still have life-spans suitable for commercial work and above or on par with e.g. typical photo chemistry papers. They are thus suitable to markets like signage, or the decor market (e.g. print sales for kiddies bedrooms, for example) - but should be avoided if you're trying to sell your work as a serious art level product.
In general, papers made from cotton are naturally acid free, which is one reason they are often favoured. Other fibres, like Kozo, are also naturally acid free. High grade wood pulp papers can also be made to be acid free, however, if the lignin/acid is removed from the pulp.
These days almost all papers are microporous coated - meaning they'll accept inks from both dye based and pigment printers well.
In years past, some papers had a swellable coating - designed to give a greater life to prints with dye based inks but this approach has fallen out of favour.
In 'gsm' - grams per square metre.
Not, technically, the same as paper thickness, but obviously correlated. The heft of the paper. European art papers are traditionally generally around the 300gsm mark. Asian papers historically tended to be lighter, 100 to 200 gsm.
Papers with a higher GSM tend to have more opacity, i.e. you see less through them.
What is the surface texture of the paper?
We divide this into six groups. We go by the appearance of the actual paper and not what the manufacturer might label the box with!
What is the white tone of the paper?
Does the paper contain chemicals in it to brighten its appearance?
We're using the value/description the manufacturer supplies (see also the White Tone and White Value specs).
In many cases, only a small amount is used to even out batches of cotton, and then only in the paper base, not the coating - in these cases, it is generally agreed such use of OBAs is essentially insignificant and will not materially impair the archival life of the paper.
More on this here.
What ink type (dye and/or pigments) can you use with the paper?
Also, if using pigment inks and you have a choice, should you use the Matte Black or Photo Black ink?
Confused about something, or just want some human to human advice?
Send us a question about this product.
We answer all enquiries, and promptly too!
You're also very welcome to ring us on 03 9329 4522 if you prefer.
Note this form is for pre-purchase enquiries, or support enquiries if you have bought this product from us. If you have bought this product from another supplier then please contact that supplier for support.
