written by Anno Huidekoper
published on 18 February 2012

Hahnemühle Photo Rag fine art photo paper review

 

with the Canon PIXMA PRO-1 as test printer

The German brand Hahnemühle supplies some fine art papers under its own brand and other brand names; an example of that is Hahnemühle Photo Rag. Our test papers are packed in a Canon box. This could also have been a Hahnemühle packaging or a box with HP written on it. Only a small part of the extensive range Hahnemühle provides under the flag of Canon. 

Specifications Hahnemühle Photo Rag

Weight: 188 grams
Available sizes: A4, A3, A3+, A2 and 4 sizes role
Used ICC color profile: Canon Photo Rag for the test printer 
Test printer: Canon PIXMA PRO-1
Test mode: see FAQ
Recommended retail price, 01-01-2012: NL € 29,49 per 20 sheets A4 size

 Canon Photo Rag productfoto

What is different compared to the other fine art types papers of Canon /  Hahnemühle?

  
  • Photo Rag is thinner than Museum Etching, has less structure in the surface and has a color somewhat similar 
  • Photo Rag is about as heavy as the nearly white Canon Premium Matte but Canon Premium Matte has a much smoother surface
 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

 

 fotopapier

 ICC profile 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 somewhat limited, 438,370, but that is usual for a fine art paper. Kluerruimte Canon PRO-1 op Photo Rag

Test result color on brand Hahnemuhle Photo Rag fine art photo paper

  
Most pastel colors, including skin tones, are displayed well. 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 look very flat.

testbestand printertest Canon Pixum pro 1 op Photo Rag

Test result black white on Hahnemühle Photo Rag fine art photo paper

  
The black is displayed very nicely neutral. The same applies to the different shades of gray, the display of that is neutral 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.     

testbestand printertest Canon Pixum Pro 1 op Photo Rag zw

Gloss and surface of Hahnemühle Photo Rag fine art photo paper

Photo Rag is thin and feels limp compared with many other fine art papers. It feels natural, this paper feels very differently compared to an ordinary glossy RC photo paper. One advantage is that you do not have to enter the paper manually per sheet in the printer. The color is described as creamy without it being a dominant yellow color. In the surface is virtually no structure. The paper is thus suitable for displaying small details. If you are looking for a paper with even less structure, the Canon Premium Matte is a good choice. The Canon Museum Etching is thick and feels inflexible. Characteristic of fine art papers, we get no hint of gloss differential and bronzing. The surface, or rather the ink on top of it, is vulnerable by the way. You quickly see a smudge on a black surface.

 

Conclusion

Canon Photo Rag productfoto

Pros

  • 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

 Cons   

  • Limited color range gives flat colors
  • Low maximum density
  • Surface sensitive to damage



The Hahnemühle Photo Rag is a fine art paper with a warm atmosphere and little structure. The material feels natural but the surface is vulnerable. Because it is fairly thin, you can use the regular paper feeder of the printer. Pastel shades are displayed correctly but saturated colors and black are not sufficiently powerfully displayed. Positive is, for the black and white worker, that the grays and black are displayed neutrally. For lovers of warm fine art papers with little structure, Hahnemühle Photo Ragis a good choice.

Website manufacturer: www.hahnemuhle.com

Add comment