50lb. Arctic Polar Luster Double-sided (and its cousin 75lb.
Arctic Polar Luster) are the finest luster papers on Earth. This version is ideal for photo books and portfolios. At 190gsm and 9mil, it is the right weight and thickness for perfect binding projects, books, portfolios. Even more important is the surface. Inks will not smudge, rub off, or offset from page to page - even if you're using pigment inks!
Photo Grade products are designed to look and feel like modern photo lab paper. Most photo grade media are resin coated, which means they have a paper core covered by a thin layer of polyethelene (plastic) . Plastic gives the paper its photo feel, stability (flatness), water resistance, handling resistance, and excellent feed consistency.
Prints on photo grade media are stable over long periods. With pigment inks in a protected environment, you can see up to 80 years on-display life. All RC papers are Photo Grade for two reasons. Plastic content is not technically archival by museum standards. Also, the inkjet coating of all RC papers is slightly acidic. It facilitates instant drying and does not actually change the stability of your inks over time. Virtually all RC papers have optical brightening agents (OBAs).
Book weight / thickness double-sided luster inkjet paper
50lb. Arctic Polar Luster Double-sided (and its cousin 75lb. Arctic Polar Luster) are the finest luster papers on Earth. This version is ideal for photo books and portfolios. At 190gsm and 9mil, it is the right weight and thickness for perfect binding projects, books, portfolios. Even more important is the surface. Inks will not smudge, rub off, or offset from page to page - even if you're using pigment inks!
Anyone who wants the look and feel of a professional photo lab
Saturated colors, neutral B&W, and smooth tonal transitions
Images with deep blacks and rich color
Any inkjet printer
Good To Know:
The finest photo luster on Earth
Print photo quality on both sides
Available in grain specific sizes
Deep luster finish
Satin Surface Depth Primer
Whether called Satin, Luster, Pearl, or Silk, these names almost always refer to an E-Surface finish. Just look to the nearest photo lab print and you will most likely see this pebbled finish. The DEPTH of this surface varies from paper to paper. The more shallow the depth the less you will notice the surface on a printed image.
Close up of "e-surface" photo paper
Shallow
Medium
Deep
66lb. Arctic Polar Satin
68lb. UltraPro Satin
75lb. Arctic Polar Luster
Reference: Epson Premium SemiGloss
Reference: Ilford Pearl
Reference: Epson Premium Luster
Acid free base stock. Coating slightly acidic
Photobase Coating Acidity
Photobase resin coated (RC) inkjet papers always have a slightly acidic coating. The acid content (pH 6.8) makes instant ink drying possible. The level of acid content is not high enough to affect print stability over time.
The base stock of all Red River inkjet papers are acid free.
Grain direction is related to how easily a paper will bend in a certain direction.
Grain Long (GL): For books in portrait orientation
Grain Short (GS): For books in landscape orientation
Watch our short video on inkjet paper grain direction:
Red River Paper is made by printing enthusiasts for printing enthusiasts. Whether you are a professional photographer, photographic enthusiast, designer, or business, our experts have firsthand knowledge of all our products. If you have a question, give us a ring or shoot us an email. You’ll receive a lightning-fast response from an actual live human with actual real-life expertise.
* Always display inkjet prints under glass, plastic or in a book for maximum print life.
Satin Surface Depth Primer
Whether called Satin, Luster, Pearl, or Silk, these names almost always refer to an E-Surface finish. Just look to the nearest photo lab print and you will most likely see this pebbled finish. The DEPTH of this surface varies from paper to paper. The more shallow the depth the less you will notice the surface on a printed image.
Close up of "e-surface" photo paper
Shallow
Medium
Deep
66lb. Arctic Polar Satin
68lb. UltraPro Satin
75lb. Arctic Polar Luster
Reference: Epson Premium SemiGloss
Reference: Ilford Pearl
Reference: Epson Premium Luster
Photobase Coating Acidity
Photobase resin coated (RC) inkjet papers always have a slightly acidic coating. The acid content (pH 6.8) makes instant ink drying possible. The level of acid content is not high enough to affect print stability over time.
The base stock of all Red River inkjet papers are acid free.
Specifications
Paper: Photobase
Paper Weight: 50lb. (190 gsm)
Thickness: 9 mil
Coating: Microporous Both Sides
Color: Bright bold white
Printable: Both Sides
Will this paper work with your printer? Check below.
All products are compatible with aqueous inks. Not designed for solvent, latex or UV.
Epson Photo (dye inks): Yes*
Epson UltraChrome (pigment): Yes*
Epson DuraBrite Ultra (pigment): Yes*
Canon: Yes
Canon Lucia (pigment): Yes
HP: No**
* Matte and cotton art media over 59b. may not feed consistently in Epson printers and may require some hand feeding. * Epson 4000,6000,7000,9000,10000 series do not work with sizes smaller than 8.5x11 ** Not recommended for most HP printers. Yes for models with flat specialty media tray.
Recommended printer setting library. This link opens a new browser window
First time using this product. I'm printing calendars and I'm amazed at how lovely they turned out. I had a problem with my printer and their customer support was wonderful! I already placed another order for this product!
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Nice Paper, but very pricey for books.
Jim Becia
03/30/2020
Must admit I like the paper for making my 12x12 photography books and give the paper itself a 5 star review. That being said, it comes at a very expensive cost at well over $2 per sheet. It used to be carried in 50 sheet boxes where the price was under $2 per sheet. At this time, I will stick with the UltraPro Satin Duo simply based on the cost at $1 per sheet.
29 of 29 customers found this helpful.
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New Love
Karen
11/29/2019
This is my first time using Red River Paper, but it definitely won't be my last. This paper works great for making calendars. The images look fantastic! Everyone who I've given a calendar to loves theirs. So much that I need to order several more boxes. Do wish that it had more than 20 sheets for the price, but still fantastic paper.
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I'm With Frank
SB
02/14/2019
I too, used the 45lb Zeppelin for my books and calendars and was very disappointed when it was discontinued. Since I have waste while proofing, .02 a sheet could get pricey.
2 of 3 customers found this helpful.
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Want Zeppelin back
Frank
10/25/2018
Haven't used this paper yet, but at over $2 a sheet, it gets pretty pricey compared to my old favorite 45 Lb. Zeppelin which I used to buy in 100 sheet pack for years. Be careful what you learn to love . . .they'll discontinue it for sure.
4 of 4 customers found this helpful.
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Love this paper!
G B
07/13/2015
I've tried a few different papers from Red River. Every type of paper has been great! The Arctic Polar Luster double sided is absolutely perfect for my needs. Great color and texture, photos turn out beautifully and the fact that it isn't too thick, nor too thin for my needs. In fact, if there was an option for a 40lb to 45lb or 6mil to 7mil thickness, I'd be right there to buy some of that for one of my projects. Since that's not available, the 50lb 9mil is working great!
I know I've read a few reviews saying it was too thin for their needs, so I'm probably the first saying, even a little thinner would work for some of my projects. But like I stated, the 50lb 9mil is working, so I will continue using it, unless I see one day they have a slightly thinner option,,,
Great paper and great service from Red River Paper!
3 of 3 customers found this helpful.
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Double Sided Luster Paper
John Gerecht
01/23/2015
I needed some double sided paper for a project. I really love Red River paper in general and specifically the luster paper, so this was a no brainer.
I'd love to give it a 5-star rating, but I did have one problem. When I put a stack of paper for the first side, it ran perfectly. When I put in a stack for the second side, several stuck together. I assume it was because the ink was a bit tacky, but I didn't want to waste any more paper so I just fed them in one by one. Time consuming and annoying.
However, on the good side, the results look GREAT. I just need to remember to feed the second side individually.
I won't hesitate to use it again for next year's project.
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Perfect paper for photo books
George
12/08/2014
I have used this paper for creating my own photo books. It is a perfect weight for photo books. A heavier paper would add too much bulk and is not necessary since this paper works very well. I wish that a satin version of this weight of double-side paper was available. An 11x14 size would be ideal for large landscape photo books. The 11x17 works but it wastes paper.
1 of 1 customers found this helpful.
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Nice For Calendars
Neiman
12/01/2014
I use this paper for calendars. Others have said it's too thin for double-sided printing, but it works well for calendars since one side is a photo and the other side is the calendar text box. The finished product looks professional.
2 of 2 customers found this helpful.
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Nice Paper, but very pricey for books.
Must admit I like the paper for making my 12x12 photography books and give the paper itself a 5 star review. That being said, it comes at a very expensive cost at well over $2 per sheet. It used to be carried in 50 sheet boxes where the price was under $2 per sheet. At this time, I will stick with the UltraPro Satin Duo simply based on the cost at $1 per sheet.
Jim Becia - 03/30/2020
Not Sure Which Paper?
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Lifestyle Portraits and Documentary Wedding Photographer
"I have an entire rolling rack full of Red River Papers at my studio..."