Photo paper is, quite simply, paper that's specially designed for printing photos on. If you've ever tried to printing your photographs on normal office paper, you'll have seen that the results are quite disappointing. So whether you're using a regular office multi-function printer or a dedicated photo printer like the Epson XP-970, you will get much better results from selecting good quality photo paper. What is the difference between glossy and matte photo paper? Luster paper and pearl paper, like satin paper and semi-gloss paper, are just two names for the same thing.

If you want to buy this photo paper online, Canon’s luster photo paper ( 8.5×11″ and 13×19″) or Kodak’s professional inkjet lustre photo paper (8.5×11″) are some excellent options. It’s generally offered in a satin/silk finish and is digitally pressed (images are reproduced by means of applying ink to the paper, not through a photographic process).For photo book companies that only offer one paper option, this will be it. In short, it’s a good general-use paper for photo books, especially for those on a budget. Silk Whenever you print an image, there are several factors working against you to ensure that your print doesn’t match what you see on your monitor. B&H – B&H is a world renowned supplier of all the gear photographers, videographers, and cinematographers need and want to create their very best work. Wedding photos are often printed on luster photo paper, but it can be used for a wide range of uses, and works equally as well for landscape photography.

Not sure what you're looking for when it comes to finding the best photo paper? To give you a better steer, here are some answers to common questions about buying the right photo papers and inks for your photography projects. What is photo paper? Whether you are printing your photos at home or using an online photo service, one of the first issues you will come across is the type of paper to use for your prints: luster finish photo, matte photo prints, glossy print paper or a metallic finish. Before you begin printing, you’ll need to choose the type of paper you want to use as the print medium. The three main types are matte, glossy and luster. Which you choose will have a dramatic impact on how your image appears when printed. It’s worth mentioning at the outset that there is no best photographic paper finish. Instead, it depends on the effect you want to create and the final display presentation. There are also paper subtypes such as metallic that can add a unique look to prints. In this article we look at each photographic paper option, what they offer and how to select the right option for you. Also, take into account the kind of image you are printing. For example, metallic finishes best portray stunning landscapes. Water reflections also look great in metallic finish. Photo papers fall into two main categories. The first includes glossy, semi-gloss and lustre papers, which have a protective, shiny top layer. These are most ideal for use with photo printers like the Canon PIXMA PRO-200 and even general home printers, which use dye-based inks to generate photo output. The water-based ink is fully absorbed beneath the top layer, enabling excellent uniformity with an entirely smooth finish.Koala isn't the best-known name in photo printing paper, but they deliver a good value product at an affordable price that's certainly good enough for home use. Thin yet strong, this paper is suitable for photos, scrapbooks, presentations, certificates and other family printing needs. Photo paper FAQs And you should be able to keep your eventual prints looking as nice as possible for as long as possible! Plus, a matte finish reduces glare, so matte photos are easier to display in galleries or in homes. Luster and Pearl Paper

The type of photo finish to print with is a frequent debate among professional photographers and hobbyists. The answer, in our opinion, depends on how you will use or display the photos. Will you frame photographs? Or will you place them in a photo album? If your photos will be handled frequently, then lustre prints are clearly the best option as they aren’t as prone to fingerprint marks. However, if your photos will sit safely in a photo album, then vibrant glossy prints may be the better choice. Allows the paper to better withstand handling. The texture hides minor scratches and scuffs from wear and handling. We may, in our sole discretion, change these Terms without notice to you. If any change to these Terms is found invalid, void, or for any reason unenforceable, that change is severable and does not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining changes or conditions. YOUR CONTINUED PARTICIPATION AFTER WE CHANGE THESE TERMS CONSTITUTES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THE CHANGES. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO ANY CHANGES, YOU MUST CANCEL YOUR ENROLLMENT. Also, a lustre finish is more resistant to fingerprints, smudges, and scratches. In contrast, glossy photos get dirty easily.If you want to hang up a photo in your home, we suggest the metallic finish. They are resistant and durable and do not need a frame or glass. Metallic images have a modern, clean style. Matte paper is a smooth photographic paper that gives your images a unique warmth and fine art feel. It’s excellent for displaying photos that must be displayed “naked” (not behind plastic/glass) in an environment where light reflections can be an issue. The colors have a more muted feel to them. This can be used to great effect in designs with a light or pastel color scheme. Metallic photo paper offers a glossy finish that gives photographs a 3D effect. Photos printed in this glossy metallic style are vibrant, sharp, and defined.

Your rights under these Terms will automatically terminate without notice if you fail to comply with any of its terms and conditions. In the event of such termination, we may immediately revoke your access to the Service. Our failure to insist upon or enforce your strict compliance with these Terms and will not constitute a waiver of any of our rights. So while glossy is a viable option, it’s often better to consider one of these other photo printing paper types: Satin/Semi-Gloss Paper While both lustre and glossy prints are shiny, glossy photos reflect far more light and serve up a harsher reflective glare when displayed in sunlight. This means glossy prints make a bolder impact, but can also be much harder to see in bright places (so they can be harder to place on the wall). 2. Colour and sharpness Lustre is a textured paper, if you turn it to its side and look very closely (maybe even with a magnifying glass), you should be able to see what look like little “bubbles”. These little “bubbles” create a texture that can pull into the matte direction. Yet these prints are still smooth enough to be a little bit reflective. Complicated, I know, but bear with me. Deep matte is favored by fine-art photographers, as well as those wishing to convey a sense of softness and intimacy in their shoots. SatinChoosing lustre vs glossy, or any paper and finish type for that matter, can change the impact of a photograph. They’re also suitable for printing on glossy, semi-gloss and lustre photo papers but less ideal than dye-based inks. That’s because the pigments generally won’t be fully absorbed beneath the outer layer, which can give rise to ‘bronzing’, where the print looks blank and lifeless when viewed from certain angles. Gloss differential can also be a problem, where areas of the print with a denser covering of ink look less glossy than areas with a relatively light covering. Glossy prints are famously prone to showing fingerprints, scratches and smudges, while lustre prints are far less likely to show these marks.