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engineering applications. The number represents a specific standard that a paper meets. For example, the ISO 9706 standard deals with paper's resistance to ageing. A summary of ISO 9706 is here.
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Last updated: February 26, 2021
WHAT CUSTOMERS SAY ABOUT US
new to the river...
I became the happy owner of a Canon Prograf - 1000 this spring. 17 x 22 paper can get pricey. Certain forums kept extolling the virtues of Red River papers. So, First I ordered a sampler pack. While waiting for it to arrive ( it was fast ) I came across an ebay auction for a BOATLOAD of inkjet photo paper. Mostly unopened packs of Red River paper. Guy said his printer died and he wasn't going to replace it. I got about $850 of RRP for $150! From 17 x 22 to post cards! I mean man - o- man! The sampler arrived first and I was well on my way to being very impressed! I mean, every print I made was just gorgeous; the metallics are to swoon over ( even my nit-picking spouse was impressed by the "pop" of the Polar Gloss Metallic ). The Arctic Polar Satin is as nice as any print I've seen out of a lab in my life and I've been doing this since the Carter administration! Now, get this: I came across a guy on youtube who showed how to print "longer" than 22" on the Pro 1000 so I got a roll of UltraPoll Satin 4.0 for making 17" x 36" prints. Just fantastic. And for much less than the manufacturer's brand of papers - also fine stuff but way pricier. Although I now have enough Red River paper to last me, well, a long long time, I know I will be back for for larger sizes and more rolls! The service and shipping has been first rate! You wanted a company review? Here, I'm a new customer and we're going to be in business together until I die, because i'm never going to retire. Oh, lastly, a lot of my photo printing is for use in litigation so I have some pretty demanding clients!
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).
