Metallic Inkjet Paper Review Part 2: Proofline Photo Chrome and Pictorico Opalescent
Since I published my review of four metallic inkjet papers two other versions have been brought to my attention. With the addition of these two papers to the mix and some discussions with paper experts I can say with certainty these are all… well, I’m getting ahead of myself. First, some reviews:
Proofline Photo Chrome
After my original review went live I was contacted by the folks at Shades of Paper regarding Proofline Photo Chrome metallic paper. They’re my go-to source for paper and were nice enough to send out a few samples of Photo Chrome (as well as a few others).
Out of the box it was clear the Photo Chrome was essentially identical to the LexJet and Red River papers. A quick test print was proof: same same.
There is one big difference with the Photo Chrome paper, however: price. The street price for a 50 sheet box of 8.5×11” is only $36.96. A 17”x100’ roll is only $166.46. The per-box price is almost $7 less than Red River, and $20 less than the LexJet version. Considering the papers are identical this seems like the way to go if you like the metallic look.
Pictorico Opalescent
A co-worker mentioned to me that when he was at a Glazer’s demo days event he saw a pack of Pictorico Opalescent in the store. It took me a while to get down there, but I did on Tuesday to take a look at one of their in-store print samples. I didn’t even bother buying a pack. It’s the same stuff again, just under the Pictorico name. The price is way off though, at $28.50 for a 20 pack of 8.5×11” sheets.
Updated Conclusion
So where do things stand? At this point I believe all these papers are manufactured by Mitsubishi and then labeled by the various companies. I’ve chatted with a few other folks in the know and they agree.
I have no idea why the Grace Pearl looks so different than the rest, but if you’re after a metallic paper any of the LexJet, Red River, Photo Chrome, or Pictorico will work fine. The Photo Chrome is the cheapest, and therefore wins in my book!
Disclaimer: Shades of Paper provided me with five sample sheets of Proofline Photo Chrome free of charge so I could test it out. Other than that I receive no compensation from them.
Dane,
There is also Reflections Silver Metallic sold by Digital Technology Group (DTG). Unlike Lexjet, Red River and Pictorico which is 255 gms, the Reflections paper is 270gms in weight, the same as Shades of Paper’s Photo Chrome. Up until now, the Reflections paper was the best price, but now with Photo Chrome, that isn’t the case. Photo Chrome wins the day, not only in weight, but in price as well!
Thanks for the heads up on the new Photo Chrome from Shades of Paper…that’s where I’ll be buying mine.
~Don
Don,
Thanks for the reminder, I’d heard of the DTG Reflections paper before but never actually tried it. My guess is it’s the same Mitsubishi paper again. Many times you’ll see slight variations in gsm weight, but it’s all still from the same mill with the same coatings.
Neil
Thanks Guys for the input on metalic papers. This was very timely for me as I am looking at growing my canvas printing business to offering the photos behind acyrlic, with the images printed on metalic paper. (the Peter Lik) effect.
I have found a few video's on You Tube on the process, but if you can steer me in the right direction to the processes would be helpful.
Tim
It's a process I've investigated a bit, and as far as I can tell it takes specialized equipment and a lot of practice. The few videos I've seen online scare me off from it, given how dust-free things need to be.
Neil
has anyone tried the Inkpress Metalic paper?
I haven't, but it's highly likely it is exactly the same stuff as all the others written about in this review.
Neil
There is another label to look into that is selling the Mitsubishi Photo Chrome paper: Fineline. The price is appreciably better than the rest. I buy it from Coastal Giclee. http://coastalgiclee.com I've been very happy with the prints I've made using it, and find that water and sky look particularly nice with it. The finish is quite durable for a gloss paper, too. I think that calling this type of paper metallic though, is a bit of a misnomer, and that pearlescent is certainly the best descriptive term for it.
Thanks for the pointer Ron. Agree that calling any of this stuff metallic is a bit of a stretch!
Neil
In that never ending game, Lexjet's Sunset Photo Metallic is now less expensive than the Proofline at Shades of Paper, at least on their website listings. $10 less for a 50 pack of 13×19 and $26 less for a 17"x100' roll. (As of 1/28/11)
This paper is marketed in Australia under the name Chromajet Centurion Metallic Pearl. There is aso a Bright White version.