Why we print on Hahnemühle paper & what is it?
If you've browsed our shop, you'll have seen the word Hahnemühle a lot. It's a bit of a mouthful, so here's what it actually means and why it's the paper we picked for every print we sell.
So, what is Hahnemühle?
Hahnemühle is a German paper maker that's been going since 1584. That's over 400 years of making paper, which is a fair bit of practice. They're known for papers made for artists, printmakers and photographers, and you'll find them in galleries, studios and print shops all over the world.
The name is pronounced roughly "HAH-neh-moo-leh". We still stumble over it sometimes, so no pressure.
The paper we use
Most of our prints are on Photo Rag Pearl 320gsm, and a few are on Photo Rag 308gsm. Both are made from cotton, not wood pulp, and both are acid-free. That's the same kind of paper you'd find under a watercolour or an etching, just made to handle photographic ink.
The main difference between the two is the surface. The 308 is a smooth, soft matte. The Pearl has a very slight sheen that gives colours a little more depth, without the glare of a glossy finish. Neither feels like the shiny photo paper you'd get from a high street printer.
Why we chose it
We spent a while looking at paper before we settled on this one, and a few things sold us.
It feels like something. The first thing most people notice is the weight. It's thick and a bit soft, and it feels like a proper object, not a flimsy sheet. People pick it up and hold it, which tells you something.
It's built to last. Acid-free cotton paper doesn't yellow or turn brittle the way cheap paper can. We want the print you hang today to still look like the photo you fell for in years to come.
It handles the subtle stuff. Our photos are mostly landscapes, wildlife and architecture, so they're full of delicate tones: mist on a Lake District fell, the soft edge of a duck's reflection, the faded colours on a Porto wall. Hahnemühle holds all that detail without making it harsh or flat.
It looks good in a real room. Glossy prints can throw back every lamp and window in the house. This paper doesn't, so you can hang it in a bright living room, a hallway or a bedroom and see the picture, not the reflections.
What you get with each print
Every print comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity, and limited editions are hand-signed. You'll also notice a border around the image. That's deliberate, because it gives you room to mount and frame the print without losing any of the photo.
A few tips for looking after it
Keep it out of direct sunlight, as strong light fades any print over time.
Frame it behind glass with a mount, so the paper doesn't touch the glass.
If you're handling it unframed, hold it by the edges.
That's about all it takes.
Is it worth the extra?
We think so. Every photo we sell is one we stood outside for, whether that was in the cold, the heat or the rain, and we wanted the paper to do the moment justice. When someone opens their print, we'd like them to feel something close to what we felt when we took the shot.
Got a question about sizes, finish or framing? Drop us a message. We're always happy to talk about paper (yes, really).
Annie & Luke