paper profiles

[Melodi]

What is your experience with canned versus custom profiling?  

I may be forced to get a custom profile done for two papers I have in stock and on order (ordered based on descriptions/reviews).  I thought that paper companies usually supplied canned profiles for their papers; however, I've now run into two that I'm having trouble finding profiles for the Epson 3800: the Gekko Green, and the Premiere Art Platinum Photo Rag.  

I've been using some tips for the Premiere Photo Rag paper for settings using Epson profiles, but being a beginner (compared to most on this site) , I didn't realize until today, when I printed on Hahnemuhle Fine Art Photo Rag Pearl and with the canned profile, how much I was missing.  I was amazed at the improved quality with more detail in the shadows....  I don't like the texture as much as the Premiere Art, though, if I can't get good prints with PA, I'll go with Hahnemuhle and/or continue to try more papers.  

Thanks for any feedback.

[situgrrl]

Epson profiles with Epson printers are excellent.  I've also had that experience so far with my HP B9180 and HP papers though have not tested enough to be absolutely certain on this yet.  

With 3rd party papers and their profiles, it can be a crapshoot.  I found Lyson and Permajet to be good but had issues with earlier Ilford papers.

If you really like a paper, it's worth getting a custom profile done....or if you fancy yourself a new spyder, get a ColorMunki and DIY....profiles over here run £20-£100 so it won't take long to pay for itself if you print extensively.