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Printing Papers

All of our photographs, printed on any of our three different kinds of paper, are guaranteed not to
fade or discolor for at least sixty-five years

Right now there are two acceptable ways of printing photographic images for long life. One is to print them on Fuji Crystal Archive Photographic Paper using a Light Jet Printer. The other is to print them on large ink jet printers using pigmented inks and archival papers. Both of these techniques are digital and are far superiour to any other kind of printing.

For the last four years we have been printing on a very large Epson 9800 ink jet printer, using extremely archival Ulta-Chrome K-3 inks on several kinds of long lasting paper.

For a more detailed article on how long photographs last, go to our article on the archival life of photographs.

Pond in the San Miguel Mountains of Colorado, near Telluride

We can print on the various types of paper listed below.

Semi-matte Photo Paper

1. If you order a photograph online or without specifying paper, this is the kind of paper we will print on.
2. This is a heavy 260# paper that works extremely well for all photographic uses. It is rich, with high contrast and very brilliant colors.
3. This paper is very smooth and thus laminates well.
4. This paper will last at least 65 years for sure and probably 100 years without fading or discoloring . It has been tested using accelerated aging conditions.
5. Sizes and prices for photographs printed on this paper are listed online. Click any small thumbnail picture to go to the order page and then click the white "Sizes and Prices" link near the top of this page.
6. This is the paper that we recommed for most photographs.

Ultra-Smooth Fine-Art Water-Color Paper

1. This paper looks like very heavy, very smooth, water color paper. It gives photographs a very arty look.
2. Photographs print somewhat softer and with a little less punch on this paper than on the semi-matte photo paper above.
3. The archival life of this paper is at least 200 years and probably much longer.
4. Framers can do some very interesting things with this paper such as tear it with a ragged, deckle edge and then mount it in a shadow box with the paper floating above the underlying mount board.
5. Framers can also use blank paper around the image as a border that looks a lot like another mat. If you want this look tell us, and we will leave blank paper around the edge of the photograph.
6. Photographs printed on this paper cost 15% more than the semi-matte paper above. Just add 15% to our regular online prices.
7. Many custom sizes as well as all our regular sizes are available.
8. To have your photograph printed on this paper, you have to contact me by phone or email or by leaving me a message in the "Special Instructions" box that appears toward the end of an online order.

Canvas

1. If you like the look of an oil painting on canvas, this is the medium to use.
2. Canvas is much more textured than the two papers above.
3. Canvas is a good choice for huge pictures that might be difficult to frame otherwise.
4. The canvas I am printing on currently has excellent brilliance and resolution. Images on it look almost as clear and sharp and bright as they do on photographic paper.
5. Epson, who make the canvas I print on, states that this canvas is the best available for high definition images and long archival life. They don't say how long it will last, but I'm betting on at least 65 years and probably much longer. This is a 100% rag canvas with none of the bad stuff that causes fading or discoloration.
6. Photographs printed on this paper cost 15% more than the semi-matte paper above. Just add 15% to our regular online prices.
7. Many custom sizes as well as our regular sizes are available.
8. Canvas can be framed on a stretcher like traditional paintings or it can be mounted on board and framed with or without glass.
9. To have your photograph printed on canvas you have to contact me by phone or email or by leaving me a message in the "Special Instructions" box that appears toward the end of an online order.