best print surface for printscanning

[jfujita]

Hi,

I'm interested in scanning my prints and I'm wondering if there is a particular paper finish (satin/pearl/glossy) that produces better results under a scanner.

Thanks for your help
-Justin

 

[sepiareverb]

I get good results scanning from glossy fiber prints- just stuff to post here, nothing better.

 

[rogue_designer]

my experience has been that FB papers scan better - regardless of finish. But glossy RC isn't horrible. Pearl, Matte, lustre RC papers all have odd surfaces that show the texture in scanning.

 

[jfujita]

What about scanner types for flat-art?

What about scanner types for flat-art?

Okay. I'm not quite into the fiber printing thing yet and I've been printing on RC satin paper. Apparently the worst for print-scanning.

I've got another question. Right now I'm using a very very old and consequently bad flatbed scanner for my print-scans. It has a very very difficult time picking up the subtle gradients in the midtones of my prints. (notice the breakdown of greyscale on the face of the man on the right in this scan: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=69712&ppuser=12594)

I'm considering getting something like the Epson V700/V750 scanner for negs and flat-art print-scans. There should be no problem resolving and capturing the gradients of the midtones on my flat-art print-scans with a modern scanner, right?

 

[Pablito]

In publishing, when fine art prints are scanned on drum scanners for reproduction in duotone or tritone, non-glossy papers are preferred. Even scanning on flatbed scanners, I get good scans from pearl prints- the texture of the print does not show at all. Glossy prints can create unpredictable issues like reflections or glare from the scanners's light source that impact negatively on reproducion.

 

[Bryce]

I've had pretty good luck with semi matte fiber paper, though as mentioned the finish can show up. As long as the grain in the image is larger than the texture on the paper all is well. Same for RC satin finish.
Haven't had such good luck with RC glossy though- the gloss finish can create newton rings that are just about impossible to hide.
Maybe the strangest thing, I've gotten very good results from pearl finish paper, as in no visible artifacts from the little lumps on the paper's surface. I don't claim to understand but that is my experience.