To make a smarter decision which photo paper to use, here are the pros and cons of matte, lustre, and glossy photo paper.
Matte Photo Paper
| Properties | |
|---|---|
| Surface Texture | Flat and textured. |
| Light Glare | Small to none. |
| Print Quality |
Pictures look softer because the photo paper absorbs more ink. Less vibrant. |
| Fingerprints, Smudges, Cuffs |
Not noticeable. |
| Commonly Used For |
Brochures and handouts. |
Is matte photo paper for you? Choose from our collections of Matte Photo Paper.
Lustre (Semi-Glossy) Photo Paper
| Properties | |
|---|---|
| Surface Texture | The middleman between matte photo paper and glossy photo paper. |
| Light Glare | Less than glossy photo paper. Easier to view in different angles. |
| Print Quality |
Greater color saturation than matte photo paper. Ink dries quicker in it than glossy photo paper. |
| Fingerprints, Smudges, Cuffs |
Not noticeable. |
| Commonly Used For |
Professional photography. |
Is lustre photo paper for you? Choose from our collections of Lustre Photo Paper.
Glossy Photo Paper
| Properties | |
|---|---|
| Surface Texture | Shiny and smooth. |
| Light Glare | Reflects light the most, can be difficult to view in certain angles. |
| Print Quality |
Colors appear vibrant with sharp contrast, giving small details high definition that photos can appear realistic. |
| Fingerprints, Smudges, Cuffs |
Most noticeable unless carefully handled well. Cannot be framed beneath the glass as it can stick on it. |
| Commonly Used For |
Outdoor photography such as nature photos and outdoor modelling shots. |
Is glossy photo paper for you? Choose from our collections of Glossy Photo Paper.