Kodak Tech Pan 25 – Mamyia 645e – Rodinal 1:300
Every morning on the way to work, pass a framing shop, I’ve Been Framed. They have a sign outside that they change weekly, offering different specials on framing. Almost without fail, after reading the sign, I think: I need to bring my printer Charleston so that I can do some prints and hang them on the wall. Yet, each time that I go back for the weekend, I don’t do it.
It’s not a matter of forgetting, because I do usually remember. Every Sunday, I look at that printer and wonder why I don’t bring it. I could say that I don’t have a place to put it, but I could by a stand. 
At one point, a couple of years ago, I got into printing and was printing several times a week. Then, I stopped. Now I feel the desire to fire up that printer again.
The walls in my apartment are bare and I always think that somehow that is wrong. After all, I have so many photos that I could place on the wall and make it feel more cozy.
Previously all of the photos that I printed were done using Epson Premium Luster photo paper, which I like a lot. However, this time, I think that I want to find a paper, or perhaps several papers that are closer to the rag paper that I used to use in the darkroom when I felt that a particular photo needed that nice, creamy look or a feel different than I could get using the resin coated polycontrast papers that I normally used.
I know that there are a plethora of sample packs out there and would love some suggestions of papers to try.
The above photo is one that I really want to print.
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I can see why you want to print the image, love the contrast range in it. I brought my printer to Ohio with me but I’ve had trouble with it and have done no printing with it since I’ve been here. If I had the money I would like to purchase another printer so I could do a bit more printing. I hope you do take it with you, or buy a second one, and get in some nice printing.
Red River Papers
http://www.redriverpaper.com/
Thanks, Ray. Are there any in particular that you really like?
Depends on what I am printing as to which I like. The Aurora fine art rag papers are really good and don’t forget to download the printer profile for your printer from them. Price is really really reasonable for these papers so it makes it a little easier to try out a few to see what will work for your prints.
Chris is right about the B&W printing for most printers although I have gotten some pretty good results. I would start with a paper that is close to what you currently like and go from there. I use the luster and matt papers for most work.
Overall, I’m very satisfied with the B&W prints that I get from my Epson 3800, though my HP 7760, using the gray ink cartridge is almost unbeatable and it’s a pretty low-end printer. Anyway, thanks for the suggestion. I just put in an order for Red River’s Sampler pack that is compatible with my printer. It has 18 different papers in it. I can’t wait to start experimenting and seeing which one I like. I’ll probably come away with a few of them! Their prices are really reasonable, too.
Umm, Ray, can you say a little more, please?
Paul, I go through a similar issue, although with me, it’s more complicated only in that it’s pretty well documented that our printer, an Epson 2200, doesn’t do very good b&w prints unless you replace the standard inks and use a QuadTone RIP. It does color nicely, but all the images I’d really like to print are b&w. I’m not sure what I’m going to do.
Paul, it would be great to print photos for the walls of your apartment and the photo above would certainly make a fine print. I did photo printing and framing at Christmas as gifts for our kids and also printed one of my photos and had it framed for Bonnie’s recent birthday and I certainly enjoyed the process. However, the kids may be worried now that it’s going to be an annual tradition.
I used Epson Premium Luster photo paper and while happy with the results I’d also like to try some different papers and brands. I’ll check out the link from Ray above and will be interested in any others.