Baryta Paper: Presentation And Developments

Baryta paper, well known to enthusiasts of black and white darkroom printing, is considered by many to be a medium of unmatched quality. This paper has now entered the digital age as several manufacturers offer baryta papers suitable for inkjet printing.

Presentation

Baryta paper is originally a photographic paper intended for black and white silver-based printing. It is a thick medium that offers a very smooth glossy surface and a white obtained from barium sulfate (or baryta).

It is highly valued by specialists for its excellent long-term preservation, its feel, and its beautiful rendering, with very deep blacks.

From film to digital

While baryta paper remains a reference for many specialists, this medium is nevertheless difficult for amateurs to master. Indeed, this paper buckles when drying and requires the creation of a handcrafted "press"...

In the era of digital photography, paper manufacturers have developed new baryta papers "specially designed for inkjet printing".

To achieve inkjet papers with the same surface characteristics and preservation qualities as baryta photographic paper, they had to create a fiber-based paper with a glossy surface appearance and a central layer containing barium sulfate.

Note: Barium sulfate is a mineral that avoids the use of optical brighteners. It ensures greater longevity of prints (papers containing optical brighteners tend to yellow).

The new baryta photo papers

Among the brands that market baryta paper for inkjet printers, one can notably mention the brand Sihl and its paper Baryt Photo Paper White 320.

Offered in A4 and A3+ formats, this paper is compatible with dye or pigment Inks in the latest generation Canon, Epson, and HP printers. It offers a weight of 320 g/m2 and is particularly aimed at art photographers who exhibit in museums and galleries.

The brand Canson offers the Canson Infinity Baryta with a weight of 310 g/m2.