There are many choices for fine art photo paper when you print your own artwork and jumping into it can seem daunting at first. What emotions do you want your work to evoke in an audience? Will your photograph be displayed in a gallery or will it be in a portfolio for people to touch?
Choosing the right paper will vary based on personal preferences, but understanding the different qualities of fine art paper will help determine the best one for your project. The finish of your paper, whether glossy or matte, will affect the way your printed image interacts with light and the way ink makes color and visual texture.
Glossy or Matte
Glossy or matte? That is the first question you should ask yourself, and the answer will vary depending on the project.
Glossy paper is a great option for showing off high contrast images, brilliant colors, and sharp details. Glossy paper has a high D-max, which measures how much black a paper can hold. A glossy finish can produce a very reflective surface, so it is important to know how your print will ultimately be displayed.
Matte papers have a lower dynamic range, so they cannot hold the same levels of black as glossy papers do. Matte papers have no glare and can be excellent choices for images with a lower contrast by lending their intrinsic qualities to soft, painterly scenes.
In this review, I have printed the same design on multiple varieties of paper from Canson Infinity, Hahnemuhle, and Moab, to best illustrate how each paper performs and displays the image:
Canson Infinity
The Canson Infinity Baryta Prestige Gloss Paper is a premium fine art paper with an extra smooth texture. This paper does not have a high gloss surface but it does have a noticeable sheen. The high dynamic range of the paper captures the nuances of the deep tones extremely well in the image. The dark values were transferred seamlessly from the computer monitor onto the paper with good color separation. The tonal quality of the image is rich and because of the gloss, it enhances the depth of the shadows that fall behind the subject in the painting.
The Canson Infinity Edition Etching 100% Cotton Rag is a matte paper with a smooth surface and a slight grain in its soft texture. In comparison to the Baryta Prestige, the printed image on this matte paper achieves rich, dark tones, but lower contrast in areas of shadow, leading to a softer feeling. The blue wall in the backdrop becomes more pronounced and saturated in the test print and required adjustments in color temperature to emulate the glossy Baryta print.
Moab
The Moab Juniper Baryta Rag Glossy has a slight coarseness in its surface texture and has a decent sheen when faced with direct light. The paper has a high D-max which is evident in the rich, dark values of the print and expresses a wide tonal range. One of its notable qualities is that the paper is not a cool, bright white. It instead has a more natural, ivory tone which adds a very subtle warming effect on the print’s colors.
The feel of the Moab Entrada Rag Natural Matte is very pleasant and lightly textured. When printing my art on this paper, the darkest value is maintained, but most of the shadows are lifted in the reproduction. The contrast of the original image is lost, but it allows for a softness to come forward and alter the mood of the painting. The colors can seem more muted on this paper, but increasing the saturation and contrast helps to mitigate that effect. Since the colors are more subdued on the Entrada Rag Natural, it creates a romantic, ethereal mood in the artwork.
Hahnemuhle
Hahnemuhle’s Photo Rag Smooth is a premium matte paper option with a smooth, yet slightly grainy texture, that captures a wide tonal range and vibrant colors. The texture of the paper adds depth and grit to the skin in my painting by reducing the digital art look. Additionally, the quality of the paper lends itself to a very painterly effect. The print maintains excellent image clarity but also allows colors to blend and melt together to achieve a creamy softness.
The Hahnemuhle German Etching Matte has a more pronounced texture and is highly reminiscent of watercolor paper. This heavyweight paper brings a very tactile element to a painting that was entirely digital and gives it the look of traditional artwork. The thickness and feel of the paper adds a luxurious aspect to the art print, almost compelling the viewer to touch and hold it.
The Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Metallic paper surface has a glossy, shimmery effect and feels durable. The metallic sheen makes it very unique to hold and look upon. It has quite a reflective surface, but it does not create a harsh glare. In fact, when a strong light hits it, it highlights the details in the image more and plays beautifully with the light of your surroundings. It feels like it brings the environment into the experience of the art print.
What else you need to know
There are many factors that influence your fine art print; the paper you use is just another medium to further express your artistry. The surface finish may be an important feature to enhance certain qualities in your photograph or painting. In order to find the paper to best serve your project, it is helpful to know how you want your artwork to be experienced by the viewer. Your choice can be affected by whether your print will be displayed behind glass or be a tactile experience for your viewer to touch and interact with.
These brands have a wide selection that offers something tailored for many individual preferences. When you know the characteristics of each paper type, it lets you work with their intrinsic qualities to achieve your desired effect.
Looking for more options? See our entire selection of photo printer paper here.
Feature photo by Celtis
