I have many old photo papers (for digital ink printing) - which all have worked excellent today in 2024 with the Epson EcoTank ET-1810 printer (dye based). Quite remarkable that it worked so well. They all where stored in their original wrapping, so it wasn't contaminated by the contents in the air (our smoking).

Quite cool, to have a LOT of ink photo papers, now that i am finally more into printing. Or should I say, much more affordable printing. Back in the days, 20+ years ago, no matter what - the ink was so expensive, that printing became (for me personally) a no-go. After two A3+ printers damaged within short time... i gave up, because the price of ink were ridiculous expensive.

Today's dye based inks, are truly affordable. It makes printing really fun - in a way I never thought ever to engage into again.

Waiting a quarter of a century

Apparently it was worth the wait of... uhm... 22-26 years.

But I love, that i can print big, without loosing too much ink or money. I mean, it makes it far easier to print a couple of photo variations, for example if the first didn't turn out well enough.

A very different world !

However, I already have noticed from my existing printers - that the world of printed photos - is quite different compared to the photos seen on a LCD screen. I find many motives don't hold up when printed onto paper. The selection of worthy images, is suddenly a whole lot less (which isn't a bad thing,m i suppose ). But it takes time for me to get used to - the way I judge image motives. I may love them on a screen - only to feel that in a final large print... it doesn't cut it. As if something essential is missing.

So, putting let's say 30x40 cm images mounted in a frame, hanging on the wall - probably requires images, that really stand out. But which ones will do ? I really don't know.

I am about to learn and train my senses on the matter.

Printed images are really a different world.