I have been experimenting with two Moab papers - Lasal Photo Matte 235 and Exhibition Luster 300. Results for the same image on both papers are very different, with the matte being quite unacceptable.

Here's what I'm using -
Mac OS 10.8.2, calibrated monitor, Adobe RGB image profile (outdoor portrait), using ICC profiles downloaded from Moab for an Epson Stylus 4000 Pro with Epson ink. Adobe Photoshop CS5. Following the instructions from the Moab website re: color management settings, printing instructions, etc. http://moabpaper.com/profile-use-in-adobe-photo_cs3/

Lasal Photo Matte (MOAB Lasal Photo Matte 4000.icc) - prints are dark, with muddy shadows (no detail), too contrasty overall with greenish skin tones. Using the recommended "Enhanced Matte Paper" as media type the results gives the worst results. Somewhat better using "Archival Matte" or "Single Weight Matte". “Plain Paper” is the best, but by no means a match for what I see on the screen.

If I open the image in Mac Preview and print on the Photo Matte 235 only with the system controls the results are almost “color pleasing”, but not “color perfect” or anywhere near a good match for the monitor. The best prints on this paper come from not using Photoshop or any color management other than system defaults.

Exhibition Luster 300 - same procedure, except using the MOAB Lasal Luster Epson 4000.icc profile and “Premium Luster Photo Paper” media type. Prints are very nearly an exact match to the monitor with only minor adjustment needed after the first print. Shadow detail is good and skin tones are as expected. Why such a difference?

I like the Lasal photo matte 235 surface, but unless the results can be improved significantly I will not be able to use it as I had intended. Suggestions anyone?

Steve, thank you for taking the time to give us the feedback. Our Epson 4000 left us many moons ago, and when Lasal Exhibition Fiber came out we had to rely on one of our customers to print off the targets for the profiling procedure. Perhaps our original 4000 wasn't a good representation of what other units in the marketplace were behaving like. Perhaps the best solution is to create a new profile from your machine, and then we can compare it with the original profile to see if yours is the better one. You can email me at andy@legionpaper for instructions. I am very happy to help.