San Gabriel Update - March 2020
San Gabriel has been in the Red River Paper family since 2012. Version 2.0 has been part of the line since 2015. In April of 2019, the paper mill that makes San Gabriel announced a "generational change." Such changes are rare and often involve the look and design of the product. Not coincidentally, there was a shortage of a chemical used in the paper's coating, and paper production was stopped. This caused us to run out of San Gabriel by late 2019.
In February of 2020, we received samples of the next generation. The new paper, whose name we have not decided, is not the same as version 2.0. The luster surface texture is now a smoother, slightly pitted surface reminiscent of older darkroom papers. It has a somewhat cooler tone, meaning it looks a bit brighter white. The great news is that profile data shows the new paper has a slightly improved color gamut and dMax.
On balance, we believe the new paper is an improvement. The luster texture of San Gabriel 2.0 seemed too modern for a baryta paper. As a class, baryta products look and feel like older darkroom papers. The new San Gabriel is an improvement in this respect.
An order has been placed with the mill, and Red River Paper expects the new paper to be here and available by the end of April 2020.
San Gabriel Baryta SemiGloss 2.0 offers all of the rich tonality, depth, and feel of a traditional darkroom print. The paper has a lightly textured surface, similar to a fine satin. This elegant finish adds depth and subtle reflectivity to the finished print. San Gabriel SemiGloss Fiber has a pleasant warm tone that adds natural richness to portraits and landscapes. Black & White images also benefit from San Gabriel's deep blacks and exceptional contrast. Use San Gabriel for your final product to surpass gallery and museum expectations.
San Gabriel's whiteness comes from a layer containing a special barium sulfate variant called blanc-fixe, which means permanent white. This material is inert and lends stability to the shade of the paper over time. The coating and base stock are acid free. The base stock is made from alpha cellulose and is lignin free. San Gabriel gives you all you need for true exhibition quality photographic prints.
Are you a fan of the "big name" barytas from Canson and Hahnemuhle? San Gabriel Baryta matches that quality, comes in more sizes, and is more cost effective.
Ideal For
- The look of true fiber-based darkroom prints
- Your best work printed for sale or presentation
- Images with deep blacks and rich color
- Pro model inkjet printers that can use heavy / thick media
Good To Know
- Archival grade materials
- Baryta whitener layer (pure barium sulphate)
- Base stock is acid free, lignin free, and buffered with calcium carbonate
- FOGRA Certified ISO 9706 (paper aging standards)
- There are no markings or logos on the back
- Back of this product is not printable
Specifications
- Media: 100% alpha-cellulose base stock with pure Baryta whitener layer.
- Weight: 315gsm
- Thickness: 12.2mil
- Coated: Microporous coated one side
- Color: Slightly neutral white
- Surface: Satin like texture with medium reflectivity
- Pigment Ink Users: This media requires Photo Black inks.
- Archival Characteristics: Acid free, lignin free, buffered with calcium carbonate, FOGRA Certified ISO 9706 (paper aging standards)
Compatibility Guide
- Epson with flat specialty feed: Yes
- Canon with flat specialty feed: Yes
- Epson with top feed tray: Yes*
- Canon with top feed tray: Yes*
- Epson Artisan 7XX 8XX series: NO
- HP - Front feed desktop: NO
- Lexmark: NO
- Kodak: NO
* If your printer has a specialty media path, we recommend you use it with this paper. If you only have a top paper tray, you can use this product one sheet at a time. Go to www.redriverpaper.com/feed for help handling and printing with specialty paper stocks.
