Photo Paper
What is Photo Paper?
Inkjet photo papers, also known as photography paper or picture paper, are coated making them absorb ink neatly unlike the regular printer paper that is uncoated and bleeds to the other side. With the use of the different types of photo printer paper, you will get a sharp, clean, and clearer image that high-quality photographers require.
CompAndSave is offering a wide variety of photography paper for Inkjet printers which will give you a more defined, accurate, and high-quality color on your photos compared to that of LaserJet printer
Inkjet Paper vs. Photo Paper
Inkjet paper or plain paper is mainly designed to print documents, plain texts, and the likes. It is uncoated so if you print images on it, it will bleed on the other side. With this being said, it'll be best to use Inkjet photo paper when printing photos for better image quality as it is mainly designed for photo printing.
Can you use Inkjet photo paper in a laser printer?
If you're wondering if you can use Inkjet photography paper in a LaserJet printer then the answer is no. Laser printers use photo paper which is specifically designed for it to withstand heat. If you will use Inkjet photo paper in a laser printer, this may damage the laser printer and its coating can possibly contaminate it.
Now, you might be trying to achieve a certain finish for your photos but are not sure which one is the best photo paper to use. Well, look no further as we will have the different types of Inkjet photo paper explained.
Glossy Photo Paper
What is Glossy Photo Paper?
Having that sleek and glass-like kind of texture, glossy photo printer paper is the most used type for digital photo printing. This type of photography paper offers you the best contrast of colors, shadows, and highlights.
Glossy photo paper is best for colorful shots as it gives your photos that extra shine, sharp details, crisp, and extremely vibrant colors which will make images look more realistic and eye-catching.
This type of photo paper is challenging to look at from different angles due to light reflection and can show more glare so it would be a bit problematic if the photo is intended to be framed. It is also vulnerable to fingerprints and scratches easily too, so, we won't recommend this type of picture paper for printer if you are trying to print a photo that will be handled or touched.
Christmas photos, wedding photos, portraits, outdoor, landscape, still-life photos, or even forensic ones.
Matte Photo Paper
What is Matte Photo Paper?
Matte photo printer paper is the type of picture paper for printer that gives you that soft, smooth, and fine look on colors. It contains the same basic chemical coating for glossy paper without the extra shiny layer resulting in a more muted feel to it. This is great for light or less vibrant color schemes.
Since it does not have the extra gloss, it makes your photos smudge and fingerprint resistant. It gives off no glare and also minimizes light reflection which professional photographers prefer most of the time. With this being said, photos printed on matte photo papers are enjoyable to look at from every angle when displayed behind glass.
Matte Inkjet photo paper type is more on texture so it is a recommended type if the printout will be written on with a ballpoint pen. Also, it does not show fingerprints or smudges. We also highly recommend matte photo paper if your photos will be displayed in highly illuminated areas like living rooms or if placed anywhere near lights.
Printing matte finish will result in not having that color boost that glossy photo paper offers since it lacks shine. It also minimizes the sharpness of a photo unlike the glossy ones so the image may look a bit grainer because of the enhanced texture in photo matte printing paper.
Best to use for monochrome shots such as building shots or achieving that film-like effect, scrapbooks, brochure, or flyer.
Lustre Photo Paper
What is Lustre Photo Paper?
Wondering which kind of picture paper for printer labs usually use? That, my friend, is the lustre photo paper that has been used by pro photo labs for decades as a standard or default option for prints. It has that semi-gloss or is in-between matte and glossy finish look to it. Its surface is satin-like with a visual appearance that is the same as that of a pearl.
This photo paper gives you that subtle texture of a matte finish which is useful in withstanding scratches, fingerprints, and scuffs from handling while at the same time, having that rich color saturation and tones of the glossy photo paper but with a lesser glare which makes it easy to be viewed from different angles.
Lustre photo finish photographic paper types won't give that rich contrast a glossy photo paper offers. Also, some images might appear slightly darker than they should be.
It is the most popular choice for wedding pictures, photo albums, newborn or baby photos, portraits, and school photos. Just like the matte photo paper, lustre photo finish is also ideal to use for framing and display in your living room or gallery.
Canvas Photo Paper
If you are looking for a photo print that looks like a painting and has no glare, canvas paper is ideal. This paper is best if you are planning to sell professional artwork as it is mainly designed for art. Due to its texture, canvas paper shows no glare which many love.
This photo paper type can be used to print large and panoramic image sizes. Your high-quality-looking, large-size prints can be displayed even in bathrooms. It is an affordable option when compared to other kinds of photo paper. Its durable, frameless border can be adapted to any style, making it the perfect choice for your décor.
On canvas, the colors on the images are less vibrant and not as deep as the other photo printing paper types. Also, the images when printed can no longer be changed or are already permanent unlike the other types wherein you can swap it out of a frame anytime.
Photos with a lot of details, bold colors, unique shapes, family photos, abstract designs, landscapes, etc are ideal for canvas photography paper. If you want to print a replica of fine artworks, backdrops, commercial artworks, or even just for home décor, this type of photo paper will be a perfect choice.
Woven Photo Paper
Woven photo paper is ideal to use if you want that white as snow and a smooth look on your photos. This photo print paper gives images a more heavy sense and that 'flat' feel to it.
It is a preferred choice for architectural marvel shots or monuments and the likes.
The colors on images will not be as vibrant as the glossy finish ones.
If you are wondering what photo paper to use for the Great Wall of China, Taj Mahal photo, etc then woven photo paper is perfect for it.
Textured Photo Paper
Textured photo paper is the perfect kind of paper to use if you want a more physical approach to your photos. It makes the light-colored parts of the photo visible while the dark parts are less obvious, adding depth and a 3D sense to the images.
Textured photo paper is also fingerprint, smudge, and scratch-resistant, so it works well if photos will be handled, framed without glass, or even displayed in a book.
Image colors printed on textured photo paper won't be as eye-catching as the glossy ones.
This type of finish is perfect for personal stationery, menus, business letterhead, or even business cards.
Sticker Paper
Photo sticker printer paper works the same as regular photo paper but with the addition of adhesive. Unlike other precut sticker papers with predetermined label sizes and shapes, our photo sticker printer paper is entirely sticker-able! Create and design your sticker projects with confidence and without limitations.
CompAndSave offers two types of printable sticker paper - glossy sticker paper and matte sticker paper. If you want your photo sticker paper to be vibrant in colors and eye-catching, the glossy sticker paper is the way to go, but if you don't want that extra sheen and prefer a more subtle look to your sticker, our matte photo printable sticker paper is for you. Feel free to check the above description for glossy and matte photo paper for more information.
Sticker photo paper is great to use if you want to have your customized stickers for business, labels, décor, or even planner stickers.
You need to be extra careful in handling sticker photo paper as they can easily get damaged or torn.
School and DIY craft projects, labels, name tags, decorative stickers.
Transferable Paper
Iron-on transferable paper is used to transfer texts, images, etc. to cotton fabrics through heat press or home iron. There are two types of iron-on transfer paper for Inkjet printers - light and dark transfer paper.
Light Transfer Paper
This type of transfer paper's material is different from the dark one due to its translucent background so it is highly recommended to use only on white or very light-colored cotton fabrics like cream, pale shade of pink, pale pastels, and the like as long as it is not too dark.
Light transfer papers are specifically designed to have its background blend into the fabric when applied so you will get the result you wish to have if you are trying to use light cotton fabrics for your project, especially if you would trim the edges of the background first and just leave a small portion of it so it will blend nicely to the fabric once applied in mirror image.
Light iron-on transfer papers are not advisable to be used on synthetic fabric as it tends to be more sensitive to heat and might cause issues on your prints.
Light transfer paper is best for white, light, or pale-colored cotton fabrics.
Dark Transfer Paper
In contrast to light T-shirt transfer paper, dark transferable paper is best to use on black or any colored fabrics, even white but we still recommend using the light transfer paper for the light ones for best results. Dark transfer paper is designed in a way that whatever your cotton fabric's color is, the background will not show any color nor affect the images transferred onto the fabric.
During the application process, dark transfer paper only requires you to peel off the image and then carefully lay it on the fabric. After all this, you can go ahead and iron it using a home iron.
Dark iron-on transfer papers are not recommended for synthetics as they are more sensitive to heat and issues may arise.
Dark transfer paper is best to use on black, dark or any colored cotton fabrics in printing your favorite pictures or words on t-shirts, pillows, tote bags, and others.
Magnet Sheets
You can make your own fridge magnets at home using your printer, our printable magnet sheets, and a little imagination! The entire sheet is magnetic, which means you can create a variety of designs. Unlike photo sticker papers, the printable magnet sheets can be easily removed and changed.
CompAndSave offers two different types of printable magnet sheets - the glossy magnet sheets and matte finish ones so you can choose a sheet that fits your preferred finish. If you want to know the difference between the two, feel free to check our detailed description above for reference.
Printable magnet sheets are totally the perfect choice for a fun, fast, and affordable way to add color and life to almost anything and everything - from custom-made name tags to a beautiful and eye-catching graphic for your home or business. You can also use it for signage, educational tools, business cards, home decoration, and for any type of craft purposes.
Adhesive magnetic sheets for printing are not suitable to use for LaserJet printers as they contain material that may melt. For Inkjet printers, you must make sure that the printing tray does not push out flat, or the photo may get deformed. It is important not to expose the sheet to water or sunlight as it may make it brittle and affect its magnetic hold. There is also a tendency for your printer to heat up or even get damaged when used for a long time. Therefore, if you are using an old printer, it is quite risky to use magnetic sheets.
Printing customized fridge magnets for self, gifts, & promotional business swag.
Printable Fabric
Unlike transfer paper, printable fabric sheets give you the ease of printing your creation directly onto the paper just like regular photo paper. Printable fabric is lightweight and gives you the freedom to roll it up, fold it, store it, and ship with ease! We offer three different types of printable fabric for you to choose from. Let's do a quick rundown about the different types of printable fabrics to help you decide which will be the perfect fit for your project.
Cotton Canvas Fabrics
If you want your printed photos to look 'realistic', the cotton canvas fabric would be the best pick. This type of printable fabric is exceptional for high-end portraits, photography, and print work. It also gives true color reproduction making your photos look so real. Our cotton canvas fabric features a white coating and lightly textured matte finish, giving you that same look and feel of canvases used by artists for watercolor or painting with oils.
Cotton canvas fabrics are best to use for unique works of art, printing fine art reproductions, portraits, still life photos, landscapes, or special events like anniversaries, engagements, weddings, and the likes.
Oil Canvas Fabrics
Our oil canvas fabrics, also known as poly-cotton fabrics, feature a white coating and are made up of cotton and polyester fiber. It's light and there will be no shrinkage or bubbles when printing.
Can be used for photo albums or can also be displayed behind a glass frame. Oil canvas fabrics are also perfect for indoor decorations or commercial area decor.
Sail Canvas Fabrics
Print high-quality photographs and art reproductions with our premium printable sail canvas fabric. Our sail canvas features a white coating and is made primarily of cotton and polyester which helps in making your photos into a more personalized and professional-looking canvas. Our sail canvas weighs 150g each, meaning it can be used in most Inkjet printers in the market.
This type of printable fabric is ideal for printing high-quality, fine art reproductions and photographs.
Have you decided on the best type of photography paper to use that suits your style and needs? Another way to check is to give photo paper for Inkjet printers a try. Print out different photos in different photo printing paper, sticker paper, transferable paper, magnet sheets, and printable fabric so you can see the results for yourself.