Review: PermaJet Portrait Rag 305 gsm A Landscape Photographer’s Take
Before we get into the nuts and bolts of the new PermaJet Portrait Rag 305, I’ll start with a little background on my printing history.
A Bit of Context
I’ve been printing with PermaJet papers for over 12 years now, long before I became an ambassador at the end of 2024.
One of the small joys of my workflow is sitting beside my old but reliable Canon Pro 10s, watching as a new print slowly emerges. That process never gets old.
So yes, I was sent a box of Portrait Rag 305 to test ahead of launch, but this isn’t a paid review. It's just my honest thoughts after putting it through its paces in my usual workflow.
Looking Back: The Portrait Rag 285
I’ve had a long-standing appreciation for Portrait Rag 285. It’s a paper I’ve used mostly for black-and-white work, but I’ve also tried it with colour. One particular print from Hartland Quay still hangs proudly in my office, a reminder of just how well that subtle, textured matte surface handled the rocks in the foreground.
That paper earned its stripes, even picking up Best Professional Paper from The Societies of Photographers in 2023. So naturally, I was curious (and a bit excited) to see what the 305 had to offer.
The images I printed
I decided to print work I had shot this year, with the 1st image being from my DJI Mini 4 pro drone from Lee Bay in Devon. Then Sunset at Bucks Mill in Devon, followed by a midday shot from the Thames Barrier in London.
The photos of the prints are taken on my iPhone, as with everything print-related, you get to appreciate these far more when you see them in person.
First Impressions: Unboxing & Setup
Out of the box, the 305 feels different, heavier (as you'd expect from the 305gsm), more substantial, and a little more refined. It's got that lovely 100% cotton rag texture, not too overpowering, but just enough to give your images a tactile finish.
There was no dedicated ICC profile available when I got my box, so I used the Portrait Rag 285 profile. No dramas, it performed brilliantly. I didn't have time to send off for a custom profile (workshops, life, friends visiting from Canada…), but honestly, I didn’t feel I was missing anything. That said, PermaJet’s free custom profiling service is well worth using when you can.
“Portrait” by Name, But Not by Nature
Let’s clear something up early. Despite the name, this paper is not limited to portraits.
I deliberately didn’t print a single portrait. I stuck with my go-to: landscapes, both in colour and black & white. I wanted to see how it would handle detail, subtle tonal transitions, and texture, especially in the kind of scenes I’m usually shooting on the coast.
Print Quality: What Stood Out
I ran the prints through Canon’s Pro Print Studio software. The first image came through and instantly I knew this was exactly what I was hoping for.
Colour: Subtle, natural, and beautifully rendered colours. Comparable to something like many of the other Fine Art papers I love.
Black & White: Stunningly neutral results with no colour cast, just clean tones and excellent shadow depth that I can’t stop staring at.
Dmax: For a matte paper, the black density is seriously impressive. You get deep, detailed blacks without crushing the shadows.
Handling & Presentation
Being 305gsm, this paper has a nice stiffness and durability to it, much like the Museum Heritage 310. It loads easily into the printer, and doesn’t appear to scuff easily, something fine art papers can do if handled a bit rough, and it feels great in the hand.
I haven’t framed any of the test prints just yet, but based on how it feels, I imagine it’ll be a dream to mount and display.
Will It Be a Regular for Me?
I think so, yes. Over the past year, I’ve found myself leaning more and more toward Fine Art and Heritage papers like the Smooth Rag 310 and Photo Art Silk 290 that I recently purchased. They don’t always suit every image, but when they do, they really sing.
Portrait Rag 305 feels like it fits right into that family. It has character without being too picky or unforgiving, meaning when coupled with the Smooth Rag 310 and Photo Art Silk 290, I don’t think there will be any of my work I will not be able to print on just these 3 paper types alone.
Final Thoughts
This is yet again another paper that exceeded my expectations. It’s got the quality, texture, and depth to elevate both colour and black & white prints, particularly for landscapes.
If you’re into fine art printing and looking for something that combines accuracy, beauty, and a museum-quality feel, this is one to try.
PermaJet Portrait Rag 305 will certainly be added to the collection of my go-to papers.
Availability
The paper is available in a wide selection of packs. A4, A3, A3+, A2. And also in rolls 17”x15m, 24”x15m, 36”x15m and 44”x15m
If you are keen to get your hands on some of this fabulous paper, or any others, feel free to use my discount code DIBSMC15 for 15% off the Paper Products on their website.