Somerset Enhanced Velvet paper an Unexpected Gift from Canson
Testing Somerset Enhanced Velvet Paper for Fine Art Printing
A few weeks ago, the Canson team was kind enough to send me a pack of A4 Somerset Enhanced Velvet paper (225g) to test in my studio. For a landscape photographer, the relationship with paper is visceral. When I dedicate myself to ancient or historic sites, my workflow belongs almost exclusively to the darkroom, where I utilize traditional processes like Platinum-Palladio, Gum Bichromate, and gold-toned Van Dyke (as explored in my notes on alternative printing techniques). However, when it comes to digital Fine Art Inkjet printing, I have always believed that nature and mountain architecture are best enhanced by heavy-weight, semi-glossy, or baryta papers. For years, my standard choice has been the magnificent Canson Infinity Baryta Photographique II, along with various pearlescent papers, which lend landscapes elegant contrast and great luminosity. Intrigued—but admittedly a bit skeptical about how a totally matte, finely textured 225g paper would suit my vision—I decided to put the Somerset Velvet to a rigorous test.
The Craftsmanship of Somerset Enhanced Velvet Paper: History of St Cuthberts Mill
There is a profound reason why this paper conveys a unique sensation from the very first glance. The Somerset® Enhanced digital line is produced at the historic St Cuthberts Mill in England, where master papermakers have been crafting paper since the 1700s. Even today, to create the Somerset range, the mill uses a traditional cylinder mould machine. This ancient industrial-craft process allows cotton fibers to intertwine in a random, natural way, faithfully replicating the appearance, texture, and tactile charm of entirely handmade paper. Knowing that over three centuries of British history and tradition lie behind an inkjet medium completely changes the perceived value of the print itself.
First Impressions: The Colors of Scotland
I initially selected the Somerset Enhanced Velvet paper to print some color photographs from my recent trip to Scotland. I must say, the results immediately impressed me. The texture of this paper is stunning and manages to lend incredible depth to the color palette. The unique texture of Somerset Velvet does something magical with landscape details: it magnificently enhances the rough stone of Scottish castles and the sharp lines of northern cliffs lashed by the wind. The colors appeared rich, deep, and organically connected to the physical atmosphere of the location.
Technical Management in My Studio: Eizo Monitor and Canon PRO-1000
From a purely technical standpoint, I must admit that finding the right calibration for this paper was not difficult at all. We know that in Fine Art printing, even using official manufacturer Canson Infinity ICC profiles and a perfectly calibrated reference monitor like an Eizo, the screen still provides a different perception than the printed paper. This happens because a monitor is an internally illuminated source (active luminance), while paper lives by reflected light (passive luminance). For this reason, to get the most out of an absorbent, matte medium, one must always apply minor preventive adjustments to the photo before printing, such as finely calibrating brightness or slightly increasing contrast in the midtones. Using my Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 and loading the correct ICC profile set to the Matte Black ink channel, finding the setup was an extremely fast process: after just a couple of test prints, I achieved excellent results. Overall, I consider it a very simple medium to manage and calibrate.
The Power of Velvet: D-Max and Zero Glare
One of the biggest doubts for those moving from baryta to matte paper concerns the depth of the blacks (D-Max). It is true that the blacks of a glossy baryta can initially seem deeper under direct light, but matte papers have an extraordinary advantage in art galleries: the total absence of reflections. Printing with Canon pigment inks on the Somerset Enhanced Velvet paper, I noticed that ambient light is literally swallowed by the velvety texture. This allows the photograph to be viewed from any angle without the annoying “mirror effect” typical of glossy papers. For a collector or gallery owner, this means being able to exhibit the work under any lighting, enhancing the pure matter of Black and White.
Cost Analysis and Market Positioning
An extremely interesting aspect that emerged during testing concerns the economic aspect: the price of Somerset Velvet in Italy is incredibly in line with that of Baryta II, actually settling at slightly lower figures. The situation changes radically when compared to more common studio media: compared to Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl, there is a noticeable price difference, which even doubles when compared to a commercial paper like the Canon Pro Luster. This economic gap is, however, amply justified by the chemistry and intended use. Somerset is, in all respects, a true archival-grade museum Fine Art paper, acid-free. Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl, while a great medium for daily color rendering, contains optical brightening agents (OBAs) to force white brightness—a detail that makes it not truly “Fine Art” in the strict sense due to potential deterioration and yellowing over time. Canon Luster, for its part, confirms itself as an excellent, reliable commercial paper for fast reproduction. Those seeking century-long durability and the materiality of a work of art will find Somerset a coherent investment.
The “Visual Haiku” Test: A Revelation in Black and White
Encouraged by the color prints, I decided to push the paper beyond its limits. I reprinted a selection of black and white photographs from my Visual Haiku portfolio—minimalist landscape images in the “Intimate Landscape” style that I had previously printed on media such as Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl, Canson Baryta II, and Canon Pro Luster. I initially had a major technical fear: I worried that a velvety, totally matte finish produced on a cylinder mould machine would end up “crushing” the blacks in deep shadows, resulting in a muddy, flat, or detail-lost look in my minimalist compositions. The actual result literally astonished me. The rendering of black and white on the Somerset Enhanced Velvet paper is simply breathtaking. Instead of compressing dynamic range, the paper enhances shades of gray without flattening the image. There is no trace of flatness; on the contrary, it infuses the shot with an extraordinarily painterly quality. While very beautiful for color, in my opinion, this paper truly shines in black and white: it is simply magnificent!
The Aesthetics of the Edge: Beyond the Clean Cut
A detail that made this pack sent by Canson special was observing how the sheets were finished with surgical precision, cut by hand with a care rarely found in industrial products. However, the organic nature of Somerset paper invites the exploration of an even more radical finish: hand-torn edges (deckle edge). This technique, which involves fraying the edges of the sheet while keeping the cotton fibers intact and irregular, is not merely an aesthetic whim. It is designed specifically for float mounting (exhibiting the print open). In this type of exhibition, where the work is not covered by an overlapping mat, the irregular hand-torn edge becomes a starring element. It creates a soft transition between the image and the frame background, casting a light shadow that emphasizes the thickness and materiality of the 100% cotton paper, transforming a simple print into a three-dimensional object of art.
Conclusions and Notes for Collectors
Taking hold of a print made on the Somerset Enhanced Velvet paper (225g) is a completely different physical experience compared to traditional papers. It is wonderful, soft, and luxurious to the touch. It instantly erases that “industrial” feeling typical of modern digital computer printing, immediately elevating the inkjet print to the status of a tangible work of art. Precisely because of its purity (100% cotton and OBA-free), I advise gallery owners and collectors to mount these prints exclusively with acid-free mats and tapes. In this way, the chemical integrity of the St Cuthberts Mill paper will remain intact, protecting your artistic investment for centuries to come.