Which paper is better, glossy or matte? Glossy and matte photo paper, features of choice and scope of application. Print Resolution

With the advent digital cameras and the development of printing technologies on the market Supplies There is a real boom in offers. Manufacturers offer a wide variety of types of photo paper for printing, differing in quality, density and other characteristics. Understanding this abundance of paper types suitable for printing photographs is not easy. A right choice photo paper is very important, because the quality and durability of printed photographs largely depend on the properties of the paper used. So if you want to get excellent results when printing your photographs or illustrations, you should first of all decide on the grade, type and format of photo paper.

Types of photographic paper

Photo paper is specially created for printing graphics and photographs, therefore, unlike regular printer paper, it has a special composition with several layers, each of which performs its specific function. High-quality photo paper, due to its special composition, perfectly absorbs ink during printing, and then protects the printed image from various external influences. On photo paper with inkjet printing the ink is applied as evenly as possible, with clear color reproduction. Photographic paper, regardless of the manufacturing company and production technology, is divided into the following grades based on the composition of the special coating:

— Matte paper

Matte paper is very popular and popular due to its versatility. Both water-soluble and pigment and sublimation inks fit perfectly on it. This paper is distinguished by its whiteness, increased photosensitivity and the ability to convey even the smallest details of an image. A photograph on matte paper looks quite contrasty, but at the same time, matte paper loses to glossy paper when we're talking about about a more subtle rendering of color shades. Matte paper can be of different densities. Lighter paper is used mainly for printing various booklets, leaflets, passes and presentations. Thicker matte photo paper is used for printing photographs. It turns out to be especially relevant when you need to convey on a print small elements Images. In general, this is a universal type of photographic paper, suitable for both the production of printed products and printing for lamination, as well as for high-quality printing of photographic images.

— Glossy paper

Glossy photo paper immediately catches the eye with its shiny surface. This glossy layer on the surface of the paper protects the ink from washing off and fading. Glossy photo paper finds its application where it is necessary to convey bright, saturated colors with soft halftones. Photos printed on glossy paper acquire a shine that is pleasing to the human eye. The colors on this paper always look rich and vibrant. The disadvantage of glossy photo paper is that it is not recommended to print on it with pigment ink, which simply smudges. Water-soluble ink is easily absorbed and dries quickly, creating a long-lasting image. Professional photo printing today is not complete without the use of glossy paper. It is widely used for printing colorful photo calendars, posters, advertising photographs and posters. Of course, glossy paper has its uses at home.

— Semi-Glossy Paper

Semi-gloss photo paper is a compromise between glossy and matte paper. The shine it creates, unlike glossy paper, looks a little muted, without any bright highlights. This type of paper, due to its versatility and low cost, can be used by home users for printing photographs. An image printed on semi-gloss paper is more difficult to damage, and semi-gloss is more resistant to mechanical damage than a traditional glossy finish.

— Super Glossy Paper

Another type of photo paper is super-glossy, which, thanks to its special coating, allows you to get more bright photos than when printing on standard glossy paper. Super-glossy paper should be used when you need to get the most color-saturated photos. They print on it exclusively with pigment inks.

— Silky matte paper (Silk)

In addition to semi-gloss, another transitional grade of paper can be considered silky-matte paper. On the one hand, it conveys various shades of colors better than matte, and on the other hand, silky-matte paper does not reflect as much as glossy paper, and is also suitable for printing with both water-soluble and pigment inks. Silky-matte paper can be used to print photographs, graphics, drawings, business cards and various promotional items.

— Satin paper

Satin paper has a semi-gloss surface with a subdued shine. It provides excellent print quality and is resistant to mechanical damage. In terms of the accuracy of color reproduction, satin paper is similar to matte paper. Its advantage is that printing on satin paper will cost you less than printing on glossy paper. And at the same time, the quality of the printed image will remain the same high level. True, there is a common opinion that when printing on satin paper, you have to create special color profiles in order to, as they say, “get into color.” However, in general, satin paper is an excellent option for amateur photo printing at home.

Types of photographic paper

In addition to standard photo paper with a glossy, matte or other surface, today you can find some specific types of paper on sale that are worth mentioning separately:

— Double-sided paper

Double-sided paper, as you might guess, allows you to print on both sides, that is, twice as much. It saves you a lot of money. The coating on each side of this photo paper may be different, for example, one side may have a glossy surface and the other a matte surface. Thus, when printing a photo image, you can achieve a double effect on one sheet and compare how the printed image looks on two different coatings.

— Self-adhesive paper

Self-adhesive photo paper has a special adhesive coating on the back side so that the image printed on the paper can then be pasted onto various media. This paper is widely used, in particular, for the production of advertising stickers and decals. Self-adhesive paper is compatible with both water-soluble and pigment inks.

- Thermal transfer paper

Thermal transfer paper with a special coating is designed for transferring images to fabrics or ceramics. Using a sublimation printer, you can print your favorite photo image on thermal transfer paper, and then using a heat press you can easily transfer this image to a T-shirt or tableware. Thanks to this photo paper, you can create truly unique and inimitable things.

— Magnetic paper

This photo paper has a magnetic backing, which allows you to print any image that is easily held on metal surfaces. With magnetic paper, for example, it is convenient to create various puzzles for a child or stickers.

— Canvases

Canvas is a thick photographic paper based on a natural weave of fabric with a bright white velvety surface. This specific type of photo paper is used for high-quality printing. artwork and reproductions. Canvas can also be used to create drawings and presentations with color images.

Photo paper formats

Currently, on the market of consumables for amateur and professional printing, you can find photo paper in a wide variety of formats, ranging from modest A10 cards (26 x 37 mm) to large A3+ canvases (32 x 48 cm). The most common paper sizes include:

— A6 (10×15 cm)

This is the most popular paper size for everyday home photo printing. A6 size is best suited for printing photo cards. All printers support it.

— A5 (148×210 mm)

The A5 size is also widely used for printing photographs and graphics at home.

— A4 (210×297 mm)

Sheets of A4 paper are considered one of the most economical in terms of price-quality ratio. However, it is not always possible to use this format for printing photographs. A4 size photo paper is best suited for portrait photographs.

— A3 (297×420 mm)

A3 sheets are usually used for printing posters and large artistic photographs.

— A3+ (329×483 mm)

These are large sheets of photo paper, designed for those users who want to get high-quality results in the largest possible size.

To decide on the choice of grade, format and type of photographic paper presented on the market today in very wide range, it is necessary, first of all, to answer the question for what purposes you will use it. When it comes to printing regular documents, coursework or abstracts with color images, you can use standard light weight paper. If you want to print in color with accurate halftone reproduction, then you should choose glossy or super-glossy photo paper. Matte paper is best for printing highly detailed photos. In a word, you need to choose exactly the printing paper that best copes with a specific task. And don’t be afraid to experiment with paper when printing photos. Only in this way can you find a suitable paper option from a specific manufacturing company.

Photosensitive photo paper

Photographic paper for use in the classical photographic process is coated with a photosensitive emulsion, consisting of a thin gelatin layer, inside of which, without touching each other, there are crystals of a photosensitive substance - silver salts, less than 0.001 mm in size. Because the silver salts themselves are milky yellow, the emulsion side of the photo paper has a pale yellow tint. Silver chloride, which has maximum sensitivity in the ultraviolet zone of the spectrum, is most often used as a photosensitive substance. It was thanks to this substance that Ritter discovered the existence of ultraviolet rays (the substance darkened fastest in front of the violet part of the spectrum, where no light was visually detected).

Also available for amateur photographers self-production photographic paper using photo emulsion available to order.

In the USSR in retail sales Photo paper was supplied in the following sizes:
6x9 cm, 9x12 cm, 9x14 cm, 10x15 cm, 13x18 cm, 18x24 cm, 24x30 cm, 30x40 cm.
Photographic paper was packaged in packs of 20, 25, 50 or 100 sheets.
Larger sizes of photographic paper were produced for photographic laboratories, as well as roll paper of various widths.

Photo paper for printing with dyes

Photo paper- light-insensitive paper designed for use in inkjet and laser printers to produce high-quality prints of digital photographs, as well as prints from computer-processed film images. It differs from ordinary paper by strict standardization of color and mechanical (such as absorption, paint spreading) characteristics. This meaning of the term has become widespread with the development of digital photography.

Separately, we can mention heat-sensitive paper for fax machines.

Notes

Literature

• Photographic paper // Photocinema: Encyclopedia / Chief Editor E. A. Iofis. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1981.
• Sublayer // Photocinema: Encyclopedia / Chief editor E. A. Iofis. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1981.

Links

• Photographic paper of the thirties and forties: brands and manufacturers. - information about manufacturers of photographic paper and photographic materials in Europe, their history before and after the Second World War, as well as samples of their products.

The printing consumables market today provides us with a huge range of photographic paper of various types. Glossy, matte, silky-matte, semi-gloss, satin, super-glossy - a novice photographer often has difficulty choosing the right paper for printing photographs, illustrations or graphics at home. Each type of photo paper has its own properties and applications. How not to make a mistake in choosing the right photo paper to ensure high quality print? To do this, you need to at least know in what cases it is best to use one or another type of paper.

Matte photo paper (Matte)

As you know, matte paper is characterized by a high degree of whiteness, lack of shine and matte roughness, which is well perceived to the touch. Matte paper has small pores; when printing on it, ink is absorbed more slowly and takes longer to dry compared to glossy photo paper. The main advantages of matte paper are that it is very versatile in use, has a relatively low cost, is resistant to mechanical damage such as scratches and fingerprints, and provides printing with both water-soluble and pigment inks. At the same time, it is inferior to glossy photo paper in its ability to convey subtle gradations of colors. Images on matte paper look very contrasty and detailed. Matte photo paper is best suited for printing photos and images that you don't want to strain your eyes.

Application areas of matte photo paper:

• illustrations or drawings with a predominance of text information (presentations, flyers, booklets, etc.);
• printing images for subsequent lamination (passport photo or pass);
• large format posters and calendars;
• various small-circulation publications.

Glossy photo paper (Glossy)

Glossy photo paper has a shiny, smooth surface. Due to a special polymer coating, glossy paper is ideal for conveying bright, saturated colors and gradations of various shades. This is the best paper for printing bright, realistic photo images that have rich colors and high contrast. For printing on glossy paper, as a rule, only water-soluble inks are used. They absorb and dry quickly, creating a colorful, color-rich image. Pigment ink can simply smudge. Another disadvantage of glossy paper is that it is more susceptible to mechanical stress, the polymer coating of the paper is very easy to damage. However, only when printing on glossy paper at home can you obtain photographs comparable to those obtained in professional darkrooms using chemical methods.

Application areas of glossy photo paper:

• printing bright illustrated publications;
• professional and amateur printing of photographs, especially landscapes, portraits and other photographic images where rich color rendition is required;
• high quality promotional products;
• printing of posters, posters and playbills;
• interior graphics and portfolio;
• photo calendars.

Silky matte photo paper (Silk)

Silky-matte paper, on the one hand, has a silky shine and perfectly conveys color shades, and on the other hand, unlike glossy paper, it does not produce glare and is resistant to mechanical stress. Silky-matte photo paper is often used when you need bright, rich photo images, but at the same time, the paper itself is resistant to scratches and other damage. This type of photo paper is often used in professional photo studios. The silky matte paper is suitable for printing with both water-soluble and pigment inks.

Areas of application for silky matte photo paper:

• Promotional Products;
• printing photographs and illustrated publications;
• business cards;
• interior and web graphics.

Semi-Glossy Photo Paper

Semi-gloss is one of the most versatile types of photographic paper. Semi-gloss paper is characterized by a soft, subdued shine without harsh glare, resistance to mechanical stress, the ability to convey rich colors, as well as greater density and thickness. Semi-gloss paper combines the benefits of matte and traditional glossy photo papers. At the same time, it is compatible with all inks and boasts a fairly low cost. However, you still need to keep in mind that semi-gloss paper is slightly inferior to glossy paper in terms of color reproduction and paint palette. Although this difference can be very difficult to notice.

Application areas of semi-gloss photo paper:

• everyday home printing of photos and images with rich colors;
• semi-professional printing in photo studios;
• art and interior graphics;
• printing postcards, booklets and brochures.

Satin photo paper

Satin photo paper also occupies an intermediate position between glossy and matte. It has a texture similar to matte paper, is distinguished by a dull-muted shine without sharp reflections, does not warp from excess ink and is resistant to mechanical stress. Due to its lower cost, satin photo paper often becomes an economical alternative to glossy paper. Moreover, it provides good quality color rendition. Satin photo paper is a versatile and economical medium that allows you to obtain high-quality prints for solving a variety of photo printing problems.

Scope of application of satin photo paper:

• everyday home photo printing;
• printing wedding photographs;
• digital printing in photo studios;
• interior graphics;
• advertising printed products.

Super Glossy Paper

Super glossy is premium quality photo paper, which is a kind of improved version of classic glossy paper. Super-gloss photo paper provides even greater shine and smoothness, providing excellent image color and tone reproduction, as well as high detail. This is the choice of those who want to get high-quality photos with a glossy effect at the level of professional darkrooms. Super glossy photo paper can turn even an ordinary image into a colorful photograph.

Application areas of super glossy photo paper:

• Business Cards;
• advertising and printing products of the highest quality;
• printing full-color photographs at home with high resolution and realistic color reproduction;
• professional digital printing of photographs.

So, one or more types of photo paper are suitable for each specific task. In particular, matte paper is ideal for printing illustrations with text information and light-colored photographs. In turn, glossy and high-gloss photo paper are indispensable when you need to get photographs that are rich in color and have a vibrant artistic effect. Thus, it is always worth keeping in mind the properties and scope of different types of photographic paper in order to choose the type of paper that will provide best result when printing.

Pledge high-quality photography- this is appropriate paper and decent ink. Choosing the right photo paper is not an easy task. Here you need to take into account a large number of various nuances: density, type of coating, compatibility with various types of ink and much more.

So, what should you pay attention to when choosing photo paper?

Format

The majority of inkjet paper grades have standard size : 32.5x47.5 cm, 27.5x42.5 cm and 21.25x27.5 cm. Some manufacturers produce standard sheets of photographic formats: 27.5x35 cm, 20x25 cm and 10x15 cm.

We should not forget that most grades of paper are produced in both sheets and rolls. Such media are convenient to use in roll feed plotters and in cases where it is necessary custom size, for example, for printing panoramic images.

Specific gravity

Typically the weight for inkjet paper is measured in grams per square meter(g/m2). The specific gravity of the carrier is only part of the required information. It is more important to know the thickness of the photo paper, which is not always related to its weight. Paper from different manufacturers with the same weight can have different thicknesses.

Color

When printing on white paper, colors are less distorted. But white color can also be different. Dazzling white looks too cold, too beige - dull and dull. Of course, this is a matter of taste. Each shade of photo paper has its own admirers and its own characteristic color.

What does paper density affect?

In addition to the features and properties described above, it is also necessary to pay attention to density parameter: it is he who determines what purposes the paper corresponds to. The higher the density, the better the quality of the print you can make. So, for example, with a density of 150 to 300 g/m2 you can get high-resolution photos (from 5760 dpi), and with a density of 130 g/m2 the media is suitable for printing with a resolution of 2880 dpi (brochures, graphics, presentations ).

For photo printing paper with a density of 180 to 230 g/m2 is suitable, for printing products It is better to use media with a density of 90 - 180 g/m2.

The higher the density of the photo paper, the more powerful the printing device's feed unit should be. This suggests that you should not buy the highest weight paper without making sure that the printer can handle it.

Interaction of photo ink and paper

Surface

The surface texture can be different: smooth glossy or bumpy matte. For print on glossy paper best to use water-soluble or ultrachrome ink. The pigment on the glossy surface can be easily wiped off even by hand. For matte paper Water-based, sublimation and pigment inks are perfect.

Brightness

If the paper specifications indicate brightness, it is usually presented in relative units from 1 to 100. Increased brightness can be caused by the use of various optical brighteners.

It is best if the photo paper is pH neutral (such as pH 7). Acid paper is self-destructive. Preference should be given to the variety on which it is written " acid-free"It is advisable to know the exact value of the pH balance. If this information is reported in advertising, this is an excellent indicator of reliability.

Durability

The longevity of a print is the result of the interaction between photo paper and ink. So, when printing on various types paper, the durability of photographs can be completely different. IN equally Just like the media, ink also affects the longevity of prints.

There are two most common types of photo paper: glossy and matte.

Gloss has increased density and the presence of a special glossy layer that prevents fading and washing off the ink from the surface. This is the best paper to use for photo printing and images with vibrant landscapes and soft tones. Gloss is perfect for printing images that require rich color reproduction. Most main drawback this type of photographic paper is immunity pigment ink. Photos printed on gloss reflect glare in intense lighting.

Matte photo paper, in turn, are divided into paper, which has a density of up to 120 g/m2 and higher. For photo printing, it is better to choose media with a higher density. Looks better on matte paper highly detailed images with small details. As a rule, this type is cheaper than gloss and has increased resistance to fingerprints and scratches.

Obviously, it is impossible to determine the absolute leader here. Each type of paper is designed for specific printing tasks. For greater clarity, let’s summarize the criteria for types of paper in a table.

* For price comparison, original Epson photo paper was chosen

conclusions

It is impossible to give a clear answer to the question “matte or glossy”. The choice of photo paper depends on what exactly will you print?.

If you need high-quality and detailed photo printing, then it’s better to stop at matte photo paper with a density of 180-230 g/m2. Do you need small printed products of a decent standard? Then it's better to choose matte media with a density from 90 to 180 g/m2.

Do you need rich colors and accurate midtones? Then glossy paper- this is what you need. Ideal for photo printing glossy media with a density of 150 - 230 g/m2. For printing printed products, a density of 90 to 150 g/m2 will be sufficient.

We should not forget that high-quality photo printing depends not only on paper and ink, but also on color profiling. INKSYSTEM specialists will help you develop the ideal color combination, which will take into account all the details (printer characteristics, ink type and type of paper). On our resource you can purchase individual color profile. To do this, you need to download a special target, print it and send it to us along with the completed order form.

Happy printing!

Available on the market (see article Working with papers). Having covered almost the entire range of these specific paper products, we did not understand the main thing - we did not find out what photo paper different from regular paper. And, really, why can’t you put regular office paper into the printer and get photographic-quality prints? And what is this incomprehensible phrase “special coating”? Let's try to figure it out.

Unlike regular paper, photo paper multi-layered. Make sure that the sheet photo paper not homogeneous You can easily do it yourself - just rub a corner of it with your fingers, and it will separate into several layers. Why did manufacturers need to invent this layer cake? Then, each layer plays its role in the printing process and performs its function.

In the very center of the sheet lying in front of you is the paper layer itself. He is the only thing photo paper similar to plain paper. This layer not only plays the role of a core on which special coatings are layered on both sides, it also gives photo paper snow-white color and the density you need.

Unusual photo paper the fact that the ink during printing is not located on the paper layer. On the contrary, it must be protected from ink, as well as steam and water. This is what the two polyethylene layers on either side of it are designed for. On the reverse side of the sheet photo paper Behind the polyethylene layer there is a lower layer, thanks to which photo paper does not “wrinkle”. And a laying layer made of waterproof polymer is already attached to it.

Wet the back of the sheet with water and you will be convinced that photo paper This side is waterproof. In addition, the polymer layer contains small, rough plastic particles that prevent stacks of newly printed photographs from sticking together and allow the printer to adjust the grip photo paper and don’t make the mistake of “eating” several sheets at a time.

Above the top polyethylene layer photo paper absorbent fixed. He must with maximum speed absorb ink. There are two options for absorbent coatings: simple - works on the principle of a sponge, gel - works on the principle of a sanitary pad. Absorbs ink faster photo paper with a coating of the first type, it does not allow them to be smeared, but it also does not allow them to last long enough, since they are easily susceptible to any external influences (water, sun, oxygen, etc.).

The gel coating absorbs more slowly and dries more slowly (immediately after printing, the image is easy to smear with your finger), but after drying photo paper With such a coating, it stores ink much longer, “freezing” it inside itself. But the most important thing is still the top layer – the reproducing layer. First of all, it determines how clearly the ink will lie and how long it will retain its unchanged appearance on paper. It is he who controls the speed and volume of ink entering the absorbent layer photo paper, clarity of lying points.

It is worth noting that all of the above applies to high-quality paper brands such as Lomond photo paper And photo paper Avery Zweckform. For flakiness and quality photo paper We cannot answer other brands.

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