For Small & Home Office Users

The Right Photo Paper Produces Brilliant Results

The good news about the digital image revolution is that you can get amazing results printing from your own home or office printer. The bad news is that with so many photo paper options available, it may not be easy to choose the right one. Here are some pointers to make sure you get the right paper for the job.

Choose your application. Photo papers are made with special coatings that affect the image quality, drying times and inkfast characteristics of your print. Professional quality papers have coatings that cost more to produce than lesser grade papers. Because of this, many photographers choose a lesser grade paper for general use and have a premium grade or two on hand for creating frame-able prints, special gifts or for mounting in albums.

Photo papers are not just for photos. The same qualities that produce terrific imaging quality and great color make them a great choice for promotional materials for businesses of all sizes. For flyers, newsletters and brochures, you may want to choose a photo paper that is coated on both sides.

Choose your finish. Photo papers are available in a wide range of finishes. A matte finish greatly reduces glare from the finished piece, making it a popular choice for brochures and flyers. A gloss finish creates the crisp, quality look of professional photos. A satin finish has less sheen for a professional look with less glare.

Check the weight. In photo paper, weight is a pretty reliable indicator of quality. The heavier the weight (usually indicated in millimeters of thickness), the greater the quality. Professional quality papers are in the 10 mil range, whereas everyday papers are 7 mil or less.