What You Need to Know About Photo Paper

With the huge explosion of digital cameras, printing pictures from home is easier than you think. The only problem is that you have to choose from the enormous selection of photo paper. So how do you figure out what paper is right for you? This article will help lay down the basics about photo paper so you can be sure to choose the right paper for your photo project.

Don't worry though because you'll learn some tips so you'll always know how to chose the right paper for your photo project.

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. Usually the thicker the paper, the longer it will hold up and the nicer it will look compared to thinner types of paper where the ink may bleed through more. In addition, the photo paper thickness is directly related to its caliper which is a measure of the paper's 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.

One thing to note with highly porous or "quick dry" paper is that it may dry faster but the pictures will fade more quickly over time. If you want your photo paper to last longer, then try to use non-porous papers whenever you can.

And lastly, you'll need to decide on the level of brightness of your photo paper. Brightness is measured on a scale of 1 to 100 and relates to how close to true white a paper comes to it. The larger the brightness number, the more white the paper. But the best way to compare the brightness of different photo papers is to look at a few of them side by side.

The Two Types of Photo Paper Finish

Photo paper comes in two main types of finish - glossy or matte. While both types have their relative advantages and disadvantages, which you use is more a matter of personal choice than anything else.

Glossy photo paper is what most people are used to when handling pictures. This type of paper will have a shiny gloss and may take longer to dry than other types of paper like matte paper. Glossy paper will normally have one printable side, and one side without a coating.

Unlike glossy paper, matte paper has a smooth finish and won't reflect light. Matte paper is normally thicker than glossy and dries faster. Often the paper allows for dual sided printing.

The best way to choose between glossy and matte paper is to pick up a couple of 25 sheet packs from your local photo supply store and try printing on both. Since there is no real technical superiority that would put using one over the other, use whatever works best for you.

Selecting the right photo paper can seem like quite a daunting task. Between the various finishes, qualities, and manufacturers, finding something you like can seem like a real challenge. Don't be afraid to buy a few small packs of different kinds of paper to experiment; at the end of the day there is no "best" paper, only the one that you like the most.

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