Different Types of Photo Papers and their Features

You may find different types of photo papers, but choosing a right paper can be a tough task for you. You can be confused when choosing a right photo paper for printing photos, posters, brochures cards and other stationery needs. The choice of paper for your photos can set a big impact on the photo itself. Before making any selection you must check each and every characteristic of different photo papers. Whether it's matte, semi-gloss or high glossy photo paper each has its own property.

If you really want to a select right photo paper, you must analyze everything before making any decision. The types of paper and their features can decide which one is the best for you.

Here are different types of paper available in the market:

1. Luster

Luster is also known as semi-gloss paper that provides a good combination of glare, color richness, and durability. The main advantage of this paper is that it does not fade easily and lasts for long period of time. Proximity color range with Glossy paper produces a poster or photo book with a color that changes according to the capabilities of the printer. Another advantage of this paper is that it has dove texture, due to which the image look softer.

2. Matte

If you are looking for better contrasting images, matte paper is the right choice. This paper does not provide distracting reflections; it also gives a finer detail image quality than the glossy paper. It is great to display the photos of the panorama, which is good when it is shown without plastic coating or lamination. When you are not too concerned about the lack of sharpness of the colors and the resolution, you can choose matte photo paper.

3. Glossy

A high glossy paper provides a wide range of colors and it has a high resolution. This unique bright and bold paper bring a slick, contemporary look to your photos. But the problem of this paper is that it is highly reflective, which can create problems in certain lighting conditions. It can also show fingerprints when touched, but you don’t worry it is a quite durable paper and you can easily wipe off the fingerprints. This is perfect for smaller images because it provides a lot of punch in a small package.

4. Silk

This is the latest addition to photo paper family. It is an excellent paper for those photographers who want a refined classic texture. It offers a thicker weight and soft reflection with a fine resolution. It is the best choice for wedding, portraits and family photos.

5. Deep Matte

Deep matte is hard to describe, you may fall in love with its quality and uniqueness. It has a smooth, silky non-reflective surface. If you are looking for a paper that has natural light and soft tones, you can go for deep matte.

Now, you have the idea about the different types of photo paper available in the market. So, whether you are going to purchase deep matte or high glossy photo paper, you must keep these characteristics in mind. Your selection for the paper will portray the quality of the paper. And if you are still in any confusion, you can take the help of experienced photographers.