As photography has moved from the darkroom to the computer lab, the technologies for printing photos have changed. The age of digital photography has ushered in changes that affect everything from the cost and quality to the look and feel of photographs being printed today.
While we can now print photos on mugs, mouse pads, blankets, and just about anything else you can image. In some cases, paper type can influence image quality, print durability, and image permanence; however, the quality of a specific paper within each of the paper types described below can have an even greater effect.
Photo paper (which primarily works with inkjet printers) is designed to create photos that "look realistic — with the color, contrast, and detail that you expect of color prints
Photo paper is much heavier and thicker than multipurpose paper. It looks and feels like conventional photo paper – the kind professional photo labs use. For best results look for photo–quality paper with a weight of at least 55 lbs. (205 g/m2) and a brightness rating of at least 90.
According to Kodak experts, "the special coating on the surface of [photo] paper tends to "hold" ink in place,"2 unlike the rough surface of multipurpose paper, which will often cause ink to bleed. When the ink bleeds it produces murky images that often lack detail.
Photo paper is also pure white in color. It does not have any of the grayish–tint that some multipurpose papers have. The pure white color contributes to the superior contrast and saturation of pictures printed on photo–quality paper.
Knowing how to take good pictures is only half of the equation to printing great digital photos — using the right paper is the other half.
Pick the right paper
Glossy photo paper will provide the look of traditional photos. For artistic looking prints, experiment with matte, satin, and high–gloss photo papers.
Paper type | Results | Best for |
Matte | Sharper images and vibrant colors | High quality graphic arts applications, enlargements, reprints, and unframed photos |
Satin | Reduces glare and resists fingerprints | Posters, banners, tradeshow materials, and photo proofing |
High gloss | Brilliant colors and rich skin tones | Photos that will be framed or placed in an album |
