6 Colour Dye Inks HP 57 and 58

  Recommended Papers

Glossy Photo Papers

First Choice : HP Premium Plus Photo Paper 280gsm

Choosing paper for HP Photosmart printers is relatively simple. As only HP’s own papers or Kodak photo papers perform well with HP inks. I’ve tried Ilford, Fuji, Tetenal and Olmec papers and none even come close to HP or Kodak. Some heavier papers also struggle with the HP tight U-turn paper path and emerge scratched.

Results from HP’s photo papers, especially Premium Plus Photo Paper are superb. They do emerge very slightly tacky and with an embossed look especially around darker areas, and they dry very slowly - HP quote 7 days before framing - which is 6 days longer than anyone else. Prints are dry to the touch and have lost much of the embossed look in 24 hours or so.

The other papers that work really well in HP printers are from Kodak. I’ve found that Kodak Premium Glossy and kodak Ultima papers give first rate results. Kodak recommend a drying time of 24 hours which is more normal.

Papers to Avoid

Glossy papers

Ilford Smooth Glossy - Best of the others but not a patch on hp or Kodak

Ilford Classic Glossy - Prints aren’t terrible but they’re not nearly as good as hp or kodak, looking flat with a yellowish cast.

Fuji Multijet Premium Glossy - Blacks look greyish and there is a noticeable yellow colour cast and poor saturation.

Tetenal 255g Glossy Photo Paper - Poor depth, and a yellow colour cast

As I use this printer exclusively for glossy prints, for the moment, this review will only cover glossy papers. I will add some matt papers later.

hp Photosmart Printer Test