A question for either the Zazzle Team, or others who have multiple experiences ordering posters or photo enlargements:


Recently I've ordered some B&W posters, printed on "basic" poster paper... and things turned out great. Great detail, and rich contrast.

Due to that success, I tried another image... this time a more important historic family photograph, and opted for a better quality archival paper. I selected the "Bronze" matte paper (to avoid reflectivity).... and, ... was quite disappointed in the more flat monotone results -(NO BLACKS)-

*(the source image had good value contrast via my extensive tweaking in Photoshop 'levels',etc.)

QUESTION: Is this due largely to the matte surface of the paper? (i.e. that the matte papers soak up the ink, rather than allowing the ink to set 'on top of' the paper as in coated papers) ? ----- Should I attempt ordering another printout on the the even higher priced "glossy" paper? ("Silver" I think it is called).

Would I realize any difference do you think?

(I'm doing LARGE printouts, so this testing is pricey)-

Thanks for your feedback.

P

Thanks for the response Ariana,

I thought the ZAZZLE team would toss in a comment as well.... ... but perhaps I need to e-mail them direct on this.

Regarding your comments: Yes, I know the blue-ish tint you're refering to with Zazzle's cheaper 'glossy' poster paper(I've had several made). Despite this little anomoly, the contrast is bold... providing good depth to the image. This paper is not archival, however, so I will likely try another large print on the "Silver" category paper (glossier than Bronze).

Epson makes a wonderful Heavyweight matte paper that is terrific for desktop printing, so I thought I would get similar results with Zazzle's bronze paper. Not the case.... flat & monotone as I stated in my initial post.

I'm quite confident that my frustration is merely the paper I chose, and will likely get different results with different paper. (Not sure of Zazzle's ink application, but it appears to be an ink-jet system of some sort, (not particle adhesion as in toner). A liquid, sprayed to a surface, is bound to soak INTO the paper, thus the situation. A glossy (hot pressed paper surface) should resist the soaking, so the ink sits ON TOP of the paper with more vividness/saturation, etc.

blah blah blah.... LOL (too much tech talk) .......... Thanks again.

P

Good point...
I don't fault Zazzle for this, however.
It might fall more in the category of me learning their products & processes.


I believe I will call them as you recommend (particularly since no staff members have ajoined this forum discussion).

Thanks,

P