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).
Polar Luster Metallic is related to Polar Gloss Metallic 255. The difference is that this paper has a luster texture similar to Arctic Polar Luster.
Your images will take on a brilliant, almost luminescent quality. Everything from airplanes to flowers will look bold, more saturated, more intense. Discover for yourself why Red River Paper's photo metallic papers are the choice of professionals and enthusiasts around the world.
Polar Luster Metallic is a truly unique inkjet paper that closely matches the look of photo lab metallic prints. Polar Luster Metallic features the same aspects as its lab equivalent - an elegant luster (E-surface) finish on a pearlescent base stock that yields an stunning iridescence in your images. It is compatible with any inkjet printer and requires no special equipment, inks, or finishing techniques to achieve the metallic effect. And for a bit of trivia, Red River Paper was the first to introduce photo metallic inkjet paper to the market in 2010.
Ideal For:
Anyone who loves the luster texture and wants more pop in their images
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.
You get the photo lab metallic look with the convenience of desktop printing
Luster texture add a subtle elegance to your prints
Luster texture prevents finger print and hides other signs of handling
Everything from airplanes to flowers will look bold, more saturated, more intense
Metallic Talk - Derrick Story
Listen to Derrick Story talk about his experience with printing on Polar Luster Metallic:
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.
* Rolls come wound with five extra feet at no charge
Photo Lab Equivalent
Polar Gloss Metallic 255 is the inkjet equivalent of photo lab metallics like Kodak's Endura Metallic™ and Fujicolor Crystal Archive™ Digital Pearl Paper.
Polar Gloss Metallic 255
Polar Gloss Metallic 255 is a warm white inkjet paper. This is because it has fewer Optical Brighteners (OBAs) in the base stock. OBAs are the chemical that make paper look bright blue white. While they are pleasing to the eye, they will fade over time and cause what you perceive as paper yellowing beginning at the edges of the sheet. Because UltraPro Satin has fewer OBAs, it will not change tone over time to nearly the extent as other bluer white media.
When using Polar Gloss Metallic 255 with pigment inks, you can expect stable fade resistance and minimal paper yellowing over a long period of time.
Specifications
Surface: Luster texture (E-surface photo finish)
Paper: Photobase base stock
Paper Weight: 255gsm (66lb.)
Thickness: 10.5mil
Coating: Microporous inkjet
Color: Pearlescent warm tone
Printable: One side only - back side cannot be printed
Is this paper compatible with your printer's ink?
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: Yes
Lexmark: Yes
Kodak: Yes
* 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 - Card sizes under 8.5x11 are not compatible with Epson wide format printers
I ordered this paper by mistake. Since it was here I decided to use it instead of trying to return it and thank goodness I did. The prints I made were wonderful, bright, and amazing. I will continue to order it in the future. It makes black and white photos sing!
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Epson XP-15000
William Landon
12/31/2020
I was just blown away with my first print using Polar Luster Metallic from my sample kit! Ordered 20 sheets of 13x19 that was on sale for $38.97!
Epson doesn't even offer the icc profile for their Metallic Paper for XP-15000 so Red River Paper is my answer for Metal prints!
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Polar Luster Metallic 255
Richard Daniels
07/10/2020
Verified Buyer
COMMENT - Just Outright Outstanding Quality – Spot on for my NEEDS - RESPONSE: ORDER & DELIVERY TIME IS THE BEST IN THE INDUSTRY – WORLD CLASS –
Drew, Keep up the Great Response to your Customers —
2 of 2 customers found this helpful.
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Polar Luster Metallic Rave Review
Stephen Van Gorder
05/23/2020
Verified Buyer
I am a wildlife photographer and my images of the Great Blue Heron have been absolutely stunning on the Polar Luster Metallic paper using the Canon Pixma 100 inkjet printer. I went to the local frame shop and they were gasping with amazement at the subtle but eerie glow of the silvers and blues of a Heron in flight. I much prefer the Polar Luster to the equally stunning Polar Gloss Metallic paper. Great Job, Great Service, BRAVO
7 of 7 customers found this helpful.
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Gorgeous for digital art
Catherine Smith
01/11/2020
I'm an illustrator who sells art prints at conventions, and this has become my go-to paper for my prints. The metallic effect is very subtle, giving my art a shimmery glow. My customers are always so impressed when they see it in action. I wouldn't recommend it for artists who work primarily in traditional media, but digital artists who work with saturated colors (as I do) should definitely try it out.
6 of 7 customers found this helpful.
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Nice for Black and White, wish it was 75 pound paper
Joe
10/15/2019
I compared wide tonal range black and white prints made on this metallic paper and my usual Arctic Polar 75 pound paper. The Black and White prints look better on the metallic paper BUT it bends and crinkles quite a bit more easily. Please have a 75 pound option!
6 of 6 customers found this helpful.
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Love it, more subtle than the Gloss Metallic
Edward Jenner
07/31/2019
As someone mentioned, it is more subtle than the gloss, and thus has a different look. I would suggest trying both before buying a larger amount.
I shoot landscapes and the images that I want this look for (water works well), I like the more subtle and slightly different look and texture over the gloss metallic.
You'll probably get the best look hanging it somewhere where you get a lot of light on the print.
1 of 1 customers found this helpful.
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Wish the Weight of this paper was more obvious
BH
07/26/2019
Have always been a fan of Red River and still am. So little disappointed, that after reading the announcement about this paper I ordered some thinking I was getting a Metallic paper similar to my Arctic Polar Luster 75lb which I so love. When the paper arrived I went to put it in the drawer next to all my other boxes of different Red River Papers when I noticed that unlike all the others there was no listing on the label for what lb weight the paper was. I had to do some digging to discover that the weight of this paper is only 66 lbs, not 75 lbs like the Arctic Polar I thought it was being referenced to. Not sure why they seem to not be as up front about this as before, and have deleted this from their initial description and box label.
4 of 4 customers found this helpful.
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BEAUTIFUL!!
Neshama Roash
07/26/2019
I ordered a sample box, and this was my favorite paper. I absolutely love it! It is so pretty, and brings a unique depth to my photographs.
Was this helpful?
Love it, more subtle than the Gloss Metallic
As someone mentioned, it is more subtle than the gloss, and thus has a different look. I would suggest trying both before buying a larger amount.
I shoot landscapes and the images that I want this look for (water works well), I like the more subtle and slightly different look and texture over the gloss metallic.
You'll probably get the best look hanging it somewhere where you get a lot of light on the print.
Edward Jenner - 07/31/2019
Not Sure Which Paper?
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Professional Profile: David FitzSimmons
Freelance photographer and educator
"I use Ultra Pro Satin. It's my top choice for color, clarity, durability, and longevity. I also love the bright whites of Arctic Polar Satin. And my prints' colors are spot-on using Red River Paper's color profiles."