Photo Paper 101
In a world where digital pictures are everywhere, it's important to know how to make your own good quality pictures. While it used to be simple choosing the type of photo paper we wanted while getting our prints developed, now, we have a enormous selection of photo papers to choose from that can quickly become overwhelming.
Not to worry, for we've compiled a quick guide to some of the more popular paper types so that the next time you buy photo paper you'll know you're making the right choice.
Paper Basics
When buying photo paper, the first thing you should consider is how you want your pictures to look. Various manufacturers make paper that is specifically created for inkjet photo printers, but they vary in quality, material, and price. So regardless of what paper brand you choose, there are a few things you can look at that will help you determine how your prints will look in the end.
The first thing you want to look at is the thickness of the photo paper. A thicker paper will usually last longer and look better and will create less ink to bleed through to the back of the paper. Additionally, the thickness of a piece of photo paper is directly related to its caliper, which measures its ability to absorb ink. Since pictures require a lot of ink, you'll want a higher caliper of paper to ensure the image is completely absorbed.
It is important to note that highly porous or "quick-dry" paper is more convenient than the normal variety, however the makeup of this paper will result in photographs that fade more quickly over time. By using non-porous photo paper whenever you can this will help your pictures look better and last longer.
Finally, you will need to decide on the brightness of your photo paper. Brightness describes how close to true white a paper comes, and is measured on a scale of 1 to 100. The larger the brightness number, the more "true white" the paper is. Of course, the best way to compare the brightness of photo papers is to look at a few of them on a table together.
Paper Finish
Photo paper comes in two main types of finish - glossy or matte. Although both glossy and matte have their pros and cons, it really comes down to personal choice.
Glossy paper is what most people are used to see from their local photo shop. This paper will be highly reflective and shiny and may take longer to dry than matte prints due to its glossy coating. Glossy paper will normally have one printable side, and one side without a coating.
Matte paper, on the other hand, looks smooth and doesn't reflect light like glossy paper. Matte paper is normally thicker than glossy and dries faster. This paper will also frequently feature dual-sided printing capabilities.
If you're trying to choose between glossy and matte, the best way is to pick up a couple of 25 sheet packs of paper and try printing on both of them. This way you can see which one you personally prefer since there is no real technical reason for choosing one over the other.
Choosing a photo paper can be quite an ordeal. Between the various finishes, qualities, and manufacturers, finding something you like can seem like a real challenge. However, the best solution is to try out a couple of different kinds and see which one you like the best.
Not to worry, for we've compiled a quick guide to some of the more popular paper types so that the next time you buy photo paper you'll know you're making the right choice.
Paper Basics
When buying photo paper, the first thing you should consider is how you want your pictures to look. Various manufacturers make paper that is specifically created for inkjet photo printers, but they vary in quality, material, and price. So regardless of what paper brand you choose, there are a few things you can look at that will help you determine how your prints will look in the end.
The first thing you want to look at is the thickness of the photo paper. A thicker paper will usually last longer and look better and will create less ink to bleed through to the back of the paper. Additionally, the thickness of a piece of photo paper is directly related to its caliper, which measures its ability to absorb ink. Since pictures require a lot of ink, you'll want a higher caliper of paper to ensure the image is completely absorbed.
It is important to note that highly porous or "quick-dry" paper is more convenient than the normal variety, however the makeup of this paper will result in photographs that fade more quickly over time. By using non-porous photo paper whenever you can this will help your pictures look better and last longer.
Finally, you will need to decide on the brightness of your photo paper. Brightness describes how close to true white a paper comes, and is measured on a scale of 1 to 100. The larger the brightness number, the more "true white" the paper is. Of course, the best way to compare the brightness of photo papers is to look at a few of them on a table together.
Paper Finish
Photo paper comes in two main types of finish - glossy or matte. Although both glossy and matte have their pros and cons, it really comes down to personal choice.
Glossy paper is what most people are used to see from their local photo shop. This paper will be highly reflective and shiny and may take longer to dry than matte prints due to its glossy coating. Glossy paper will normally have one printable side, and one side without a coating.
Matte paper, on the other hand, looks smooth and doesn't reflect light like glossy paper. Matte paper is normally thicker than glossy and dries faster. This paper will also frequently feature dual-sided printing capabilities.
If you're trying to choose between glossy and matte, the best way is to pick up a couple of 25 sheet packs of paper and try printing on both of them. This way you can see which one you personally prefer since there is no real technical reason for choosing one over the other.
Choosing a photo paper can be quite an ordeal. Between the various finishes, qualities, and manufacturers, finding something you like can seem like a real challenge. However, the best solution is to try out a couple of different kinds and see which one you like the best.
