Awagami Unryu Thin is a lightweight 55gsm Japanese paper made from kozo (mulberry) fibre and coated for inkjet printing. Its swirling fibre inclusions show through the print, so the paper becomes part of the image, especially when light passes through it from behind.

We now stock Unryu Thin on rolls in three widths, 432mm, 610mm and 1118mm, each 15 metres long. If you print photography or artwork on a large format printer and want a finish that looks nothing like standard photo paper, this is one worth trying.

What is Awagami Unryu Thin paper?

Unryu Thin is a fine art inkjet paper made in Japan by Awagami Factory, a maker of traditional washi. "Unryu" translates as "cloud dragon", a name that comes from the long, swirling kozo fibres laid into the sheet as it forms. Those fibres stay visible after printing, giving every print a soft, organic texture you won't get from a smooth coated stock.

Kozo comes from the inner bark of the mulberry plant, and Japanese papermakers have used it for centuries. Its long fibres make a paper that is thin and light but still strong. For more background on washi and how Canon printers handle it, our post on Japanese washi paper and Canon's PRO Series printers covers the basics.

Why does Unryu Thin look so good when it's backlit?

Unryu Thin looks its best backlit because, at 55gsm, it is semi-transparent. Hang it in front of a window, mount it over a light source, or suspend it freely from a wall or ceiling, and the light picks out the fibres running through the paper. You see the image and the texture together, which gives the print a depth a heavier, opaque paper can't match.

That makes it a good fit for:

•      exhibition pieces hung away from the wall

•      window displays and light installations

•      lanterns, screens and other decorative work

•      portfolio pieces where the paper is part of the presentation

It works pinned flat to a wall too, but the effect is strongest when light can pass through it.

Which images print best on Unryu Thin?

Simple compositions print best on Unryu Thin. A photo with one main subject and a bit of open space lets the fibres show through and become part of the picture. Think a single flower stem, a figure against a pale sky, a misty hillside or a minimal architectural detail.

Illustrations, line work and soft watercolour reproductions suit the paper well too. The texture adds to an image that has room to breathe, rather than competing with it.

What should you avoid printing on Unryu Thin?

Large images with very dense ink coverage are best avoided on Unryu Thin. Heavy blocks of dark colour across the whole sheet hide the fibres, which takes away the main reason to choose this paper. A 55gsm stock also holds less ink than a heavyweight fine art paper, so big areas of solid colour are more likely to cause problems.

If your image is dark and detailed edge to edge, a heavier matt paper from our fine art media range will give you a better result. Save Unryu Thin for the work where you want the paper to be seen.

Is Unryu Thin acid free and archival?

Yes, Unryu Thin is acid free and OBA free. Optical brightening agents (OBAs) are added to many papers to make them look whiter, but they can fade over time and shift the tone of a print. Without them, Unryu Thin keeps its natural white tone, and the acid-free base helps your prints last.

To protect finished pieces in storage or transit, interleave them with acid-free glassine or tissue. Our guide to protecting fine art prints with glassine and tissue paper explains how.

What roll sizes does Unryu Thin come in?

Unryu Thin comes in three roll widths, all 15 metres long:

•      432mm x 15m, for 17 inch printers

•      610mm x 15m, for 24 inch printers

•      1118mm x 15m, for 44 inch printers

A 15 metre roll gives you plenty of room to test, print a series and produce larger hanging pieces from the same batch of paper.

How do you get the best results on a 55gsm paper?

A thin paper needs a little more care than a standard photo stock, and a few simple habits make a real difference:

•      Handle the roll with clean, dry hands. Fingerprints and creases show up quickly on a delicate surface.

•      Pick the right media setting. Canon's 12-colour imagePROGRAF PRO printers include a preloaded "Japanese Paper Washi" media type, which is a sensible place to start.

•      Run a small test print first to check ink density and colour before committing to a full-width piece.

•      Let prints dry fully before you handle, roll or frame them.

If you're choosing a printer for this kind of work, take a look at our photo and fine art printers, or ask us which models handle lightweight media well.

Need help choosing the right fine art paper?

Our team can talk you through whether Unryu Thin suits your images, your printer and how you plan to display the finished work. Call us on 01296 393700 or get in touch online, and we'll help you find the right paper for the job.