Our color management partner Chromix answers this question:
Yes indeed. A paper profile will do a great job of color correcting images from a laser printer. Depending on the brand and the workflow setup, it might take some experimentation and exploration to find out how to send a target through un-color-managed. And then you need to have some means of applying a profile to the images going to the printer. Chromix has made profiles for these printers for years. We are particular adept at them since we use polarizing measurements to draw more details out of the shadows of prints from these printers.
Keep in mind there is a low chance the laser printer maker offers any paper profiles. For the most part you are on your own and need to have one made on a custom basis.
If you have a laser printer and need a paper profile, contact Chromix.
I order all of my paper and inks from Red River and have done so for years. They always get my order correct and ship it to me immediately. I'm always pleased with their products!
Papers with the Archival designtation can take many forms. They can be glossy, matte, canvas, or an artistic product. These papers are acid free, lignin free and can be made of virgin tree fiber (alpha cellulose) or 25-100% cotton rag. They are likely to have optical or fluorescent brightening agents (OBAs) - chemicals that make the paper appear brighter white. Presence of OBAs does not indicate your image will fade faster. It does predict a slow change in the white point of your paper, especially if it is displayed without UV filter glass or acrylic.
Archival Grade Summary
Numerous papers - made from tree or cotton content
Acid and lignin free base stock
Inkjet coating layer acid free
Can have OBAs in the base or the coating
Museum Grade Paper
Papers with the museum designation make curators happy. They are made from 100% cotton rag content and have no optical brightener content. (OBA) The base stock is acid and lignin free. The coating is acid free. This type of offers the most archival option in terms of media stability over time.
Museum Grade Summary
100% cotton rag content
Acid and lignin free base stock
Inkjet coating layer acid free
No OBA content
Photographic Grade Paper
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).
