written by Anno Huidekoper
published on 08 March 2012

Canon Premium Photo Matte on Canon Pro-1 review

with a Canon PIXMA PRO-1 as a test printer

Canon delivers a small amount of fine art photo papers, one of them is Canon Premium Matte. Some of these fine art photo papers, like Canon Photo Rag and Canon Museum Etching, are made by Hahnemúhle and are often called Hahnemühle Photo Rag and Hahnemühle Museum Etching. 

Specificatons Canon Premium Matte

Weight: 210 Grams
Available sizes: A4 en A3
Used ICC color profile: Canon Premium Matte 
Test printer: Canon PIXMA PRO-1
Test mode: zie FAQ
Recommend retail price, 01-01-2012: NL € 29,49 per 20 sheet A4 size

 productfoto Canon Premium Matte

What is different from other fine art photo papers of Canon /  Hahnemühle?

  
  • Canon Premium Matte has about the same weight of Hahnemühle Photo Rag fine art photo paper but is thinner than Hahnemühle Museum Etching
  • Canon Premium Matte has a very smooth surface, smoother than Hahnemühle Photo Rag and Hahnemühle Museum Etching
  • Hahnemühle Photo Rag and Hahnemühle Museum Etching are creamy while Canon Premium Matte is nearly white
 productfoto 9121

What are the differences with other fine art photo papers?

  
  • Besides a number of digital baryte papers, Innova also makes fine art photo papers with choice of much or little structure and choice of nearly white to cream
  • Epson has a number of fine art photo papers with choice of much and little structure and choice of nearly white to cream

 

 Canon fotopapier

ICC color profie and color space

  
The test machine is a Canon PIXMA PRO-1. This (semi) professional printer uses pigmented ink and the largest size that you can print is A3+ size. Canon provides the ICC color profiles. The color space is very limited, 349,842, but that is usual for a fine art paper.   Kleurruimte Canon PRO-1 op Canon Premium Matte

Test results on Canon Premium Matte fine art photo paper

  
Most pastel colors, including skin tones, are faithfully portrayed but some of them just a bit too dark. The displays of dark blue, bright red and brown are disappointing. These colors are displayed insufficiently deep, a consequence of the limited color space. Furthermore, the black is not deep. Photos therefore look very flat.  

printertest Canon Pixum pro 1 op Canon Premium Matte

Test results on Canon Premium Matte fine art photo paper

  
The black is displayed very nicely neutral. The same applies to the different patches of gray, the display of that is neutral gray in tone. Absolutely disappointing is the depth of the black. That is much less than the maximum density compared with for example Ilford Gold Fibre Silk.      

printertest Canon Pixum op Canon Premium Matte zw

Gloss and surface of Canon Premium Matte fine art photo paper

Canon Premium Matte is thin and flexible so you can use the paper tray of your printer. This paper feels like real paper and the color is nearly white. The surface is very smooth and we don't see any trace of gloss differential and bronzing.

Conclusion

productfoto Canon Premium Matte

Pro

  • Gray shades are displayed neutral in tone
  • Black is displayed neutral in tone
  • No bronzing or gloss differential
  • Pastels are displayed well
  • Due to the low weight, you can use the normal paper tray of the printer

 Con  

  • Limited color range
  • Low maximum density
  • Ink on surface sensitive to damage



The Canon Premium Matte fine art photo paper feels like real paper and it's color is nearly white. The surface is very smooth and pastels are displayed well. Due to the small gamut and the limited Dmax, prints look dull. Black and white printes look very neutral and if you like a smooth fine art paper the Canon Premium Matte fine art photo paper is a good choice.

Website manufacturer: www.canon.com

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