Review – Innova resin coated matte

Resin Coated Photo Premium Matte 260gsm IFA 178

We’ve long used some of Innova’s papers for colour and B&W fine art prints of Keith’s photography. This review and video look at a new bright white matte paper – similar in style to some RC type photo papers.

The paper is Innova Resin Coated Matte IFA-178

Our samples were kindly supplied by Innova in the UK.

Innova papers are available from many outlets internationally.

About the paper

The paper is a very bright smooth white surface paper. Although 260gsm, it feels quite thin – due to the resin style coating [RC] on the rear surface. This contributes strongly to the papers very low curl, even off a roll.

I’m looking at 17″ roll but it’s available in several different sizes.

The structure can be seen in this torn strip – notice the slight sparkle from the rear coat edges.
[note: many images will enlarge if clicked]

Key features (from Innova)

IFA 178

“This Resin Coated (RC) inkjet photo paper features a stunning flat matte finish and super smooth surface which eliminates surface reflections.”

Applications

• Fine art and photographic open and limited edition prints • Original digital art and photo prints
• Art and photo portfolios, photo and wedding albums
• Posters and large format exhibition displays
• Glass free framing

Full details of the paper are on the Innova IFA178 product page.

ICC profiles and media settings: Innova Resin Coated Matte

The paper (17″ roll) was tested using the Epson P5000 pigment ink printer. For profiling the initial media setting was Epson Archival Matte and matte black ink.

The papers were profiled using X-Rite’s i1Profiler and ~2900 patch targets.

Notice the good strong colour and lack of reflection from an on-camera flash.

The OBA in Innova Resin Coated Matte is clear to see [red peak – measurements with UV] in the measurement results for paper white.

Black gives a DMax of ~1.5

The relatively low DMax shows in the profile gamut volume.

There is a good range of colour, just the blacks are not as intense as you’d get with a lustre or gloss paper.

Then again, with a lustre or gloss paper you would get reflections…

The paper was also tested using the Epson ABW print mode for black and white, using my B&W test print.

The grey step wedge allows me to test B&W print linearity

This graph for Innova Resin Coated Matte shows the non straight line of ‘L’s indicating that the print setting (here, the default ABW setting) is crunching shadows a bit and printing mid-tones a little light.

I can correct for this, if I want to, with the application of a curve before printing.

If you’re curious about using such profiles to correct for non linearity in B&W printing, I’ve several articles covering the process.

The B&W test image article has download links and articles about this correction process.

Print Quality – Innova Resin Coated Matte

Find the right image and the bright white absolutely flat surface looks excellent. Moderately high OBA content will make the paper very good under some lighting – but may produce a colour cast for B&W under some lighting.
See the video at the top of the page for some examples.

If you are looking for deep blacks, then you’re not likely looking for a matt finish paper anyway.

The almost complete lack of curl is great, as is the strength of the paper – large prints are [relatively] resistant to creases and krinks.

Summary

As members of Innova’s ‘Photo art range‘ it’s in a collection of papers I’ve used for many years in my printing.

Just remember that getting the best from any such paper requires the right image, and print setup.

Do take care to let the prints dry properly, the surface finish looks dry immediately, but leave them to dry thoroughly.