Read through to the end of the post for details on winning a gift certificate to Red River Paper or a box of 12 x 12 scrapbook paper!
I used to shell out big bucks for Epson paper.
An Epson R1800 is the photo printer of choice in this house. I love it. I would be hard pressed to find a difference between its prints and the prints from most labs. When I bought it, I read all the Espon documentation suggesting that I only use Epson papers. Which are expensive.
So, I purchased more affordable printer paper right away. The new paper was terrible and was noticeably worse than the Epson paper that shipped with the machine. It was clear that great prints were going to require an investment in paper as well as hardware.
Ever since, I have only purchased Epson Ultra Premium Photo Luster paper. At $35 per box of 50 8.5 x 11 sheets. And you know what? I don’t print that much because it’s such a luxury.
Fast forward a couple of years. Red River Paper asked me to review some of their paper. I replied that I hadn’t had good experience with paper other than Epson and that I couldn’t recommend a product that I didn’t believe was worthy.
Well, after receiving my test paper, I’ve printed tons of photos. I chose a portrait, a landscape and a bright and colorful Disney group shot to compare for this review. I printed on my Epson Ultra Premium Photo Luster paper and on Red River’s Ultra Pro Satin . I’ve been looking at these prints every day for about 2 weeks now, and even waited for the rain to stop here in Texas so that I could compare the papers in good natural light.
Are the papers different? Absolutely. Are the prints on the Epson paper of higher quality? No. Especially when you consider the price difference.
Red River’s Ultra Pro Satin is $33 for 100 sheets! Less than half the price of the Epson paper I buy.
Red River’s Ultra Pro Satin is smoother to the touch than Espon’s Ultra Premium Luster. The texture is the main difference. The Epson paper might be a bit heavier, but not by much.
I have always liked the sheen from Epson’s luster texture. It’s not shiny glossy (I don’t like high gloss photos), but glistening sparkles are apparent when you hold the paper at certain angles. Red River’s Ultra Pro Satin has some of this glisten, but not as much. And comparing the two side by side, I realized that the luster was somewhat distracting on the Espon paper.
The Red River Ultra Pro Satin’s color reproduction was slightly more saturated than the Espon Luster, which I liked. The Epson Luster had more red in skin tones, verus more yellow in the Red River. Neither would be noticeable to most of us without comparing side by side.
To achieve this great color quality, I downloaded the Red River ICC files that matched my printer and the paper I was using. Make sure that you do this too. It’s very easy – after downloading, right click on the file and select “Install.” Then, select this profile when you print your image. Need help with that? Post a comment.
The Satin print of my little princess standing next to Snow White was a bit crisper than the Epson Luster. The light blue banding on Snow White’s bodice was much clearer on the Red River Satin.
Red River also sent me a sample box of paper full of many types of paper to try. The print quality was great on all of them. We just might end up using their card stock in this house over the holidays. However, not all the prices compared as favorably as the Ultra Pro Satin to the corresponding Epson paper.
In conclusion, the Red River Ultra Pro Satin will be the standard photo paper that I purchase from now on. I will be proud to frame it or print photos on it for gifts.
Red River Paper provided me with boxes of paper to review and purchased ad space on Texas Chicks Blogs and Pics. I am not a member of their affiliate program and they did not pay me to write this review.
Win a Gift Certificate or a box of Scrapbook Sized Photo Paper
Red River is giving two prizes to readers of Texas Chicks this week, and is also offering free shipping on a sample kit of their paper for all readers. For free shipping on this box, enter TCBP at checkout.
The first prize for the giveaway is a $45 gift certificate to Red River Paper. The second prize is a box of 12 x 12 paper for printing scrapbook pages on.
To enter the contest, leave a comment here. You can get other entries for blog posts, tweets or Facebook posts – you know the routine. And here’s a new one – if you’re a member of any photographic or scrapbooking forums that you can announce contests in, send folks over here and comment with a link to your announcement.
The drawing (by random.org) will be next Friday, October 9.
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This paper sounds great – i will have to give them a try next time I purchase paper. I have a HP printer and only use HP paper…
Good morning Sue! You are quick!
thank you, I will have to try this. I have an Epson 1400 and love it, so can’t wait to try the 12×12.
wowie…thanks for the review..i am going to give it a try
That is a very helpful review:) I have done the same thing, trying other papers with my Epson Artisan 800 and they just didn’t look as good as the more expensive Epson paper. Now that I’m printing 5×7′s for my photo session clients I definitely want to maintain a high quality print but would love to save some $$! I will try the Red River paper…and I don’t like high gloss either. Thanks for this review…also I would highly recommend the Epson Artisan series of printers to your readers. Fabulous prints!
.-= wayoutnumbered´s last blog ..Blue =-.
Thanks for the review. Since I live way out in the boonies, I print most of my own s/b pages at home. I like the instant gratification this gives me for the many hours of work I do on my pictures and/or pages. Right now I print on an HP, but I am looking to buy an Epson Artisan printer soon so this review and giveaway are timely. Thanks!
This sounds like a great alternative to expensive photo paper. Do you have to order it online or can you pick up the paper in a retail store?
I get lost when it comes to printer profiles, installing printer profiles and co-ordinating the profiles between printer and programs. I never like what I get when I try to print out myself so I have not been using my printer but have been sending them out to a lab. I sure would like to be able to print out something a photo for myself and actually like the results.
Perhaps it might be possible for you to explain in kindergarten terms how to go about ‘fixing’ the printer and programs.
Thanks so much for all your hard work.
Bekkie
I’ve heard (read) others praise the Red River Papers and have been meaning to check them out. How do some of the other papers compare to the Epson papers? Look forward to hearing (reading) more.
.-= Astaryth´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday =-.
Astaryth, all the Red River papers that i tried were great, quality wise. While I didn’t compare prices on all papers, the cost savings wasn’t as big on some of the other paper types that I did look at. However, if I’m placing an order by mail anyway, I’ll probably get all my paper from Red River because the paper is great and I like supporting smaller businesses. And I like that they have 12 x 12.
Thanks for the review!!
Thanks for the recommendation! I have the same Epson printer and have been loyal to Epson papers for the same reasons. I started with Premium Glossy and then found the luster paper. No 12 x 12 option so I bought the 13 x 19 and had to cut it. I tried the Epson scrapbook paper but I like some gloss. Glad to hear there is another option to get the size and features I want!!
-Barb
Oooo! Great giveaway! I’m always fighting the “it was so expensive I don’t want to waste it” paper battle. I’d love to give Red River a try!
.-= bdaiss´s last blog ..Crazy Town =-.
Good tyo know. thank you for taking the time to test and share this product. That is worthwhile info and will save me big money.
Debbie
Alberta Canada
I only use Epson paper too so I would sure love to find paper that cost less. Thank you very much for the information.
Jan from St. Augustine Fl
I have an Epson Artisan 800 and a Stylus Photo RX620 — and find the same thing: not so hot on non-Epson papers. Thanks for the review; will definitely try this paper as I much prefer a lustre to hi-gloss.
This sounds really interesting, although I use a Canon printer instead of Epson.
I have never used my printer for anything I want to last–only for school project or things like that. They never turn out as well. I have only used the HP paper came with the Hp printer I have and figured that was as good as it gets. I would love to try some different paper and actually get good quality prints from home!
The paper sounds great and less expensive than other brands. I tried to order a sample kit, but the site said your TCBP code was invalid. I’ll keep trying because the paper sounds like what I need for my greeting cards.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for the Red River pack.
I love Epson printers! The paper sounds great!
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Hiding in the Trees =-.
I would love to win some of this great paper!
I have an Epson stylus photo 1280 printer and I too have never been able to find paper for this printer except for the expensive Epson paper. This is great news that Red River papers are available. Thank you for sharing the info.
This paper sounds wonderful! Would love to give it a try. Thanks for all the info.
thanks for the great info. I’m in the market for a new photo printer and will definately take a look at the Epson line. I can’t wait to try out the Red River Paper products! Thanks again.
I tweeted, too.
http://twitter.com/laurasatori
Wow…thank you for the information! Winning this prize would be great, as I was just getting ready to purchase more photo paper!
I am looking at purchasing an Epson printer soon. It is good to know some options on paper, Thanks for the review!
Crossing my fingers and toes that I win something here. Finding reasonably priced paper for my Epson is always hard.
Thanks for the review, I will definitely check them out.
I am thrilled to know about the Red River papers. I, too, have an Epson, and have used their papers for photos. Boy, twist my arm to save some money and get the same or higher quality!!! Thanks for the heads up!!!
Thank you so much for your review. It’s so nice to know there is something else out there that will compare to Epson paper at an affordable price!
sounds like these work great! I would love to try them out, since I have SO much printing to do~ thanks for the heads up and review as well.
Great review…and thanks for putting us onto Red River! I’m off to check out their site!
I have an Epson large format printer, but am not happy with the price of many 12×12 scrapbook papers. They have GREAT prices on their papers! Thanks for sharing this tip!
I have been using Red River paper and printer profiles for my Canon Pro9000 and love them. I have used matte for scrapbook pages and I like the satin for that pro lab look for photos. I encourage anyone to order the sample box…it is a great deal. They also have good sales periodically.
THANK YOU for this review!!!! I got an Epson 12 x 12 printer and am so very excited to see this paper recommendation. Even if I don’t win any, I plan to order some. I have learned by trial and error not to even bother with the less expensive printer papers as it ends up being a total waste of time and ink. Maybe now I can afford to actually delve into doing some digital scrapbook pages.
Billie
Thanks for the information and thanks for what you do.
Thanks so much for all the information! I am so going to check them out and hopefully win some to try. Thanks
I am on my way to Red River now! Thanks!
Just in time! I’ve been fighting with my printer for the past two days thinking it’s probably a combination of operator error and the paper I’m using. (I could also use that kindergarten level lesson on profiles.) Will give this a try! Thanks for the info!
Thanks for the info….I have the same experience with papers other than Epson and have given up! I can’t wait to try this!
Always love a deal, photopaper is expensive but quaility is important. Glad to find quaility and affordability.
I would looooooovvvvvvveeee a chancce to win this contest!!!!!
Pls pls pleeeeeeeeeese PICK ME!!!!
I would love to be entered in the Red River contest. I haven’t bought any of the paper myself yet, but heard all about at the last meeting of my photography club. We got to see some of the paper samples and I was very impressed. I’m going to be ordering some inkjet cardstock.
Thank you, Texas Chicks!
thanks so much for the review. I also have an Epson printer, but of a lower model
WOW what a price difference. I will have to give them a try. I also own an Epson and only purchase the same paper. Always look for a way to feed the pig!
Thanks again for the review. Also the heads up on free shipping. I would like to know who I can talk to at Red River as I made a huge order from them and being from Canada the shipping “hurts” abit.
If I could get the free shipping they would definetely be my supplier of choice.
Debbie
Alberta Canada
i would love to check out their products!
I am definitely going to check out their paper. Now for a cheaper ink cartridge. Sigh!
I’d love to try this paper. We also have an Epson and the paper is so expansive.
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Twitter ~ http://twitter.com/momof2dancers/status/4586126119
.-= Ginny´s last blog ..Review ~ Baby Einstein World Animal Adventure =-.
I have been using Epson printers since 2001.I have been through 3 and now have the 1280 wide format that I love.This printer will not print on anything but Epson paper that is worth keeping. I really appreciate the information you have provided and the fact that you have actually tested it on your Epson printer. I have bookmarked this site and will be browsing the store.
I just ordered this paper–sounds wonderful and much better pricing than anything I’ve used in the past. Thanks for sharing the information.
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