SIGNATURE WORTHY?

Epson introduced its "Signature Worthy" tagline a couple years ago when it launched Exhibition Fiber Paper, a heavyweight, cut-sheet substrate that reminded us of classic darkroom paper. That paper turned a lot of heads—ours included—for both its incredible D-Max and its spendy pricetag: $2.50 for an 8.5 x 11-inch sheet. (That price has since dropped to about $1.60 a sheet.)

Epson's Hot Press and Cold Press art papers are notable additions to the Signature Worthy line and are offered in both Bright and Natural white point versions. As already mentioned, the Cold Press paper has an attractive (if somewhat problematic) textured surface while the Hot Press paper has a smooth surface.

All four variations—Hot Press Bright, Hot Press Natural, Cold Press Bright, Cold Press Natural—are 100 percent cotton; acid and ligin free; and pH buffered. And like Exhibition Fiber Paper they have serious weight. The Hot Press versions are 330 GSM while the Cold Press are 340 GSM.

The Cold Press papers are also thicker than the Hot Press—21mm to 17mm—which is likely part of the reason I had so much trouble manually feeding them into the 3880. (Auto feed is not an option. The Epson printer driver won't even allow it if you select art papers.)

Picking up the papers—particularly the Cold Press versions—may take you back to your days of art school and it almost seems inappropriate to put them through an inkjet printer. (On the other hand, if you have a brush and old watercolor set lying around you might be tempted to start painting away.)

But that's the beauty of inkjet printing and why, despite some of the struggles I had with these Epson papers, I was also charmed by them. They make you rethink what photography can be.

They also may make you rethink your expenses. A box of 25 13 x 19-inch sheets of any one of the four types of press papers costs $94 or, about $3.75 a sheet. Being an artist sure ain't cheap.