Paper is all the same right? That may be somewhat true when you're using printer paper, but when you're talking about art prints, the paper quality and paper type, matters.
Selecting the right paper for your art prints is crucial to achieving the desired aesthetic and ensuring the longevity of your work.
With various types of art papers available, each offering unique qualities, making an informed choice can elevate the final presentation of your art.
In this guide, we’ll explore different types of art papers, including archival paper, matte, glossy, and semi-glossy (satin) paper.
We’ll discuss their characteristics, weights, pros and cons, and the best uses for each.
Semi-Glossy (Satin) Paper: A Balanced Finish
Here at Veranito, we are massive fans of satin paper for our art prints. This is the paper type we've chosen after trying and testing a huge range of papers for our prints.
When it comes to our unique art prints, satin paper is the perfect choice, with bold colours, deep blacks and exceptional quality.
What Is Semi-Glossy (Satin) Paper?
Semi-glossy, or satin, paper offers a middle ground between matte and glossy finishes.
It provides a slight sheen that enhances colours and contrast without the full reflectivity of glossy paper.
This balance makes satin paper a versatile choice for a wide range of art prints.
Characteristics and Weight
Material: Usually made from wood pulp or synthetic fibres with a satin coating.
Weight: Typically ranges from 150 to 300 GSM, providing a durable, flexible option.
Surface: A soft sheen that enhances colour and detail without excessive shine.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Balanced Finish: Offers a compromise between vibrant colours and minimal reflections.
Durability: Resistant to fingerprints and smudges compared to glossy paper.
Versatile: Suitable for various types of art and photography.
Cons:
Less Vibrant Than Glossy: While still producing good colour saturation, it’s slightly less vivid than glossy paper.
Potential Glare: Although reduced, some glare can still occur in certain lighting conditions.
Not as Subtle as Matte: Does not offer the same soft, subtle finish as matte paper.
Best Uses
Photography: Ideal for prints that require good colour and contrast but with reduced glare.
Art Prints: Works well for prints where a slight sheen enhances the visual appeal without overpowering the artwork.
Presentations: A popular choice for portfolios and presentation pieces where a balance of quality and practicality is needed.
Archival Paper: Preserving Art for the Ages
What Is Archival Paper?
Archival paper is specially designed to resist deterioration over time, making it ideal for fine art prints intended to last for generations.
It is typically acid-free, lignin-free, and made from 100% cotton or alpha cellulose, ensuring that it does not yellow, fade, or become brittle over time.
Characteristics and Weight
Material: Made from high-quality, durable fibres such as cotton or alpha cellulose.
Weight: Typically ranges from 200 to 350 GSM (grams per square metre), offering a substantial, luxurious feel.
Surface: Available in various finishes, including smooth, textured, and matte.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Longevity: Designed to last for decades, if not centuries, without degrading.
Colour Stability: Maintains the vibrancy and accuracy of colours over time.
Premium Quality: Often used for high-end, limited-edition prints due to its superior quality.
Cons:
Cost: More expensive than non-archival papers.
Limited Availability: Fewer options in terms of finishes and textures compared to other papers.
Best Uses
Fine Art Prints: Ideal for Giclée prints and other high-quality reproductions.
Photography: Suitable for archival photographic prints where longevity is a priority.
Limited Editions: Often used for limited edition prints, where the longevity and quality of the paper add value.
Matte Paper: A Subtle, Non-Reflective Finish
What Is Matte Paper?
Matte paper features a smooth, non-glossy surface that absorbs ink well, resulting in prints with deep, rich colours and no reflections.
This type of paper is popular for its understated, elegant finish, making it a favourite for fine art and photography. When it comes to black and white prints, matte is good choice.
Characteristics and Weight
Material: Can be made from various fibres, including cotton, wood pulp, or a blend.
Weight: Typically ranges from 120 to 300 GSM, offering both lightweight and heavier options.
Surface: Smooth, with a non-reflective, soft finish.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Non-Reflective: Ideal for viewing in all lighting conditions without glare.
Colour Depth: Absorbs ink well, producing rich, vibrant colours.
Versatile: Suitable for various types of art and photography.
Cons:
Less Durable: More prone to showing fingerprints, smudges, and scratches
Lower Contrast: May not achieve the same depth of contrast as glossy papers.
Less Vibrant: Colours may appear slightly more subdued compared to glossy finishes.
Best Uses
Fine Art Prints: Preferred for works where a glare-free, soft finish enhances the aesthetic.
Photography: Excellent for black-and-white photography, where contrast and subtlety are important.
Graphic Design: Ideal for prints where a professional, understated look is desired.
Glossy Paper: High Shine and Vivid Colours
What Is Glossy Paper?
Glossy paper is known for its shiny, reflective surface that enhances the vibrancy and sharpness of colours.
The glossy coating creates a smooth finish that makes images appear more vibrant and lifelike, making it a popular choice for photographic prints.
Characteristics and Weight
Material: Typically made from wood pulp or synthetic fibres with a glossy coating.
Weight: Generally ranges from 150 to 250 GSM, offering a balance between flexibility and durability.
Surface: High-gloss finish that reflects light, enhancing colour saturation and sharpness.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Vivid Colours: Produces highly saturated colours with sharp details.
High Contrast: Enhances the contrast and depth of images, making them pop.
Smooth Surface: Provides a sleek, professional look.
Cons:
Reflective Surface: Can create glare and reflections, making it difficult to view in certain lighting.
Fingerprints and Smudges: The glossy surface is prone to showing fingerprints and smudges.
Less Suitable for Framing: Reflections can be problematic when placed behind glass.
Best Uses
Photography: Perfect for vibrant, high-contrast images, especially in full colour.
Commercial Prints: Commonly used for posters, brochures, and promotional materials where eye-catching visuals are key.
Portfolio Prints: Favoured by photographers for portfolio pieces that need to stand out.
Still can't decide between matte and glossy? Take a look at the matte vs glossy comparison to see what's best.
Understanding Paper Weights and GSM
The weight of paper, measured in GSM (grams per square metre), is an important consideration when choosing art paper.
The GSM indicates the thickness and sturdiness of the paper:
120-150 GSM
Lightweight paper, often used for posters and some lower-cost art prints.
200-250 GSM
Mid-weight paper, offering a good balance of durability and flexibility, common for high-quality art prints.
300+ GSM
Heavyweight paper, providing a substantial, premium feel, ideal for fine art reproductions and archival prints.
Conclusion
Choosing the right paper for your art prints is crucial for achieving the desired outcome, whether you're seeking vibrancy, durability, or an archival-quality finish.
Archival paper is a top choice for longevity and quality, making it ideal for fine art prints and limited editions.
This can be more expensive, and with a matte finish, can dull the brightest pop colours in comparison to glossy and satin papers.
Matte paper offers a glare-free, subtle finish perfect for fine art and professional presentations, and is great for black and white images. It does not pack the same punch as satin or glossy when it comes to bold colourful prints.
Glossy paper delivers vivid colours and sharp contrast, ideal for photography and commercial prints. But the glare and reflection should be taken into consideration if you're hanging prints up in your room.
Semi-glossy (satin) paper strikes a balance, offering a versatile option with a slight sheen that enhances both art and photography.
Prints with satin paper offer that bright bold pop when it comes to colours, and deep blacks that work well with the bright white surface giving fantastic contrast.
By understanding the characteristics, pros, and cons of each paper type, as well as considering the paper's weight and intended use, you can select the perfect medium to showcase your artwork at its best.
Read our guide on the printing process, how giclee prints are made which plays another crucial role in having the best art prints hanging on your wall.
