It's a well kept secret, but Epson and Canon inkjet printers can utilize extra long sheets of paper - perfect for printing your own panoramic images.
Panorama photography is one of the fastest growing segments in the field. Your phone's pano feature is the quick and easy way to get stunning quality image files that can be printed big. With the aid of widely available stitching software, it is easy to take multiple images from your DSLR and create truly wide landscapes or cityscapes. The more proficient may venture out and do “mosaics”. Mosaics consist of multiple rows of images using a longer focal length then stitching them all together to form one incredibly large and detailed print.
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Another popular area of panoramic photography is Virtual Reality (VR) Photography. This is an immersive technology that allows the viewer to interact with an image like that seen in Real Estate Virtual Tours. VR can be shot in both in “Cylindrical”, 360 degrees by the FOV of the lens, to full “Spherical” formats encompassing the full visual range of a scene 360 degrees by 180 degrees. These images can be flattened to form what is known as an “equirectangular image”. These images create a unique perspective when viewed two-dimensionally. Standard equirectangular images are generally 2:1. So the resulting spherical panorama can be printed 24” long x 12” high or up to 4 feet long x 2 feet wide. Proportionately larger prints are also possible.
Keeping print quality under your control is important. Red River's line of pano inkjet media allows you to print images on demand instantly. Whether you are a dedicated pano enthusiast, or occasionally find a panorama worthy of printing, Red River Paper has best quality photo and inkjet papers in pano and landscape sizes you need.
Sizes
13" x 38"
8.5" x 25"
NOTE! Some Canon printers can only print up to a max of 26.61"
Surfaces
Glossy
Satin / Luster
Matte
100% Cotton Fine Art
How Much Do Inkjet Panos Cost?
The average six color inkjet printer uses about $1.00 in ink for every 80 square inches.
The chart below estimates ink cost for some possible pano sizes:
| Print Size | Estimated Ink Cost |
| 12" x 36" (432 sq.in) | $5.40 |
| 8" x 23" | $2.30 |
| 12" x 22" | $3.30 |
Paper cost for these images is between $1.60 and $3.32 depending on the surface you choose. At most your cost for materials is under $9 which is competitive with volume labs, and much less than top quality custom finishing.
What Paper Types are Available
What type of paper you choose is highly dependent on the subject of your panoramic photography. You might choose a glossy for high impact, high contrast subjects. On the other hand, for low key, nature, or artistic imagery you might choose a non-reflective matte or cotton paper. Red River Paper offers a number of photo and art papers that are sure to meet any need.
Are They Compatible With My Printer?
The short answer is yes. Red River Paper's pano inkjet papers are selected for compatibility with dye or pigment inks. We recommend using the rear media tray or specialty tray to feed these sizes.
Epson 3800/3880 Note - This printer can use sheets up to 37.5" long. You can still use the 13x38 Red River size and only lose about 1" of printable space.
Canon Printer Note - Older Canon desktop printers are limited to 26.61" as the maximum sheet size. This is a driver issue and cannot be overcome. Newer models (PRO-200, PRO-300, PRO-1000) can print up to 47" sheets.
What About Picture Frames?
Our friends at Frame Destination have several pano frames sizes for aspect ratios 2:1 and 3:1. In spring 2019 the released 12x36 and 13x38 frames to match with Red River Paper's exclusive 13x38 size. You can also have custom picture frames built to your specs as well as shop for many ready-made frames.
Vertical panos can be mounted like regular photos. Horizontal panos might need a little extra support if they are not dry mounted. The support can come from an additional tape or archival t-hinge at the top or archival mounting strips at the bottom to keep the print from sagging in the middle. See detail picture mounting info and tips.
Red River Printing Resources for Panoramic Printing
Custom paper size setup tutorial
Panoramic Hardware
Additional Internet Resources for Panoramic Printing
Intl Association of Pano Photographers
Last updated: November 09, 2022
