Permajet Portrait Rag 305 review

What is the Permajet Portrait Rag 305 and who is it for?

The paper type you choose to print on has a fundamental impact on the result. It can make the difference between a decent photo and a masterpiece. This is why it’s worth keeping a selection of inkjet media on hand to make the most of your best pictures. 

Permajet’s extensive inkjet media collection has a huge range of finishes. The company launched Portrait Rag 285 close to decade ago and it has been a perennial favourite for many. This has now been upgraded to Permajet Portrait Rag 305.

In terms of appearance, you’ll need oblique lighting to truly reveal its texture, so this is a paper that suits prints for exhibitions and a wide range of subject matter, because its finish doesn’t dominate the image.

What are the key features of the Permajet Portrait Rag 305?

The Permajet Portrait Rag 305 paper was tested using X-Rite i1 Studio and an Epson Surecolor SC-P800 printer with Epson’s inks. To start this test, a colour profile was created, compiling a selection of images to test the material’s mettle. Permajet provides generic profiles for its papers, but there’s also a free ICC custom profile service for its media, so check out these options on its website.

Texture and quality

The new paper is 100% cotton and has gained some weight, giving a lovely, reassuringly robust feel. The surface itself has a more pronounced texture compared with 285. This finish is still very fine, and if you gently run a (freshly washed!) finger across its surface, you’ll be rewarded with a luxurious whisper.

If a haptic experience is high up on your criteria when it comes to paper appeal, you won’t be disappointed.

White point

The paper contains optical brightening agents (OBAs), so doesn’t have the creamy-white look of OBA-free media, with a neutral mid-white appearance. It’s a pleasant, rather than strident white, so should complement most subject genres.

Print quality and tonal range

The test prints looked impressive, without needing any colour or density adjustments. Rich colours looked satisfyingly saturated without being garish or lacking in robustness. Unfortunately, this can happen with matte-finish paper. Another potential problem with this paper type can be weak, grey blacks, but that wasn’t an issue on Portrait Rag 305 – blacks looked deep without blocking up or losing shadow detail. 

The reproduction of vibrant colours looked notably lively. More delicate hues were also handled very well and the flesh tones on portraits looked smooth, delicate and neutral. As you’d expect from its name, there were no problems using this paper for people pictures. It exhibited a sure-footed performance with landscape, urban and travel shots too. Even gritty monochromes that I usually prefer on a paper with more sheen came out well.

Permajet Portrait Rag 305 price and availability

Portrait Rag 305 works out at £2.96 for a sheet of A3, so it’s close to the same price as other fine art paper options from Permajet. For the level of performance you get – which includes its archival properties – that rates as very good value, making this a versatile paper definitely worth a try for your fine art output.

For more information, visit the Permajet website.

Permajet Portrait Rag 305 specifications 

Paper surface: Matte

Base weight: 305gsm

Paper thickness: 0.54mm

Whiteness (CIE): 92

Base: 100% cotton

Acid free: Yes

Internal focusing: Yes

OBAs: Yes

Sizes and prices:

• A4 25 £37.96/£1.52 per sheet
• A3 25 £73.96/£2.96 per sheet
• A3+ 25 £90.95/£3.64 per sheet
• A2 25 £137.95/£5.52 per sheet
• 17inx15m roll £95.95
• 24inx15m roll £131.95
• 36inx15m roll £189.95
• 44inx15m roll £229.96