What photographers should consider when choosing printer paper
If you want to print your own pictures at home, there are a few things to consider. Not only the right color profiles play a role, but also the drying times of the respective papers. You should also consider what effect you want to achieve with the paper on which the images are printed.
Not every paper is compatible with every printer
Not only do papers vary in weight and thickness, they can also be optimized for different types of printers. A paper can be optimized for inkjet or laser printing. If you use the wrong paper, you may get a reduced print result that does not correspond to the optimum quality of what it could achieve.
Many high-quality papers are usually optimized for inkjet printers, as these printers usually have finer colour gradations, which significantly improves colour reproduction.
Paper grammage and feel
Photo papers are usually thicker than classic printer papers. The difference in weight is particularly noticeable in the stability of the paper. Heavy paper between 250-300g/m² feels much higher quality and heavier, whereas thinner papers (between 180-200g/m²), which are used for most photo prints and the like, tend to be more flexible and also cheaper to buy.
Fineart papers are usually heavier and more similar to cardboard. Here, the papers can have slightly different tactile properties. The different fibers of the paper can also have an influence on the effect and reproduction of the colors. For example, a photo paper can also be differently suitable for black and white and color prints.
Fine art papers, for example, are also often characterized by the fact that the materials used are not classic cellulose fibres, but cotton, for example.
Influence of the paper surface on color reproduction
One of the most important decision criteria is the choice of paper surface: this can be glossy, satin, pearl or matt.
A glossy paper (high gloss) is the right choice if you want to enhance contrasts and saturations, which can be particularly exciting in landscape photography. A high-gloss paper also enhances the impression of sharpness. One disadvantage of this paper surface is its susceptibility to reflections.
Satin papers are characterized in particular by fewer reflections, which also ensures softer colour gradients and a more natural-looking image that still appears colour-intensive. Satin paper is a good choice for portraits and art prints, especially when it comes to skin tones.
Pearl papers (mother-of-pearl effect / premium satin) are characterized not only by their fine structure but also by the fact that they have a slight sheen but a somewhat stronger contrast compared to satin paper. This gives the image more depth. Colors usually look very classy and high-quality without causing too much reflection.
Last but not least: Mattes Papier. This paper is particularly suitable for black and white photos and images with fine details. It is therefore also exciting for photo books and art prints as it is non-reflective and has a pleasant feel. As it is correspondingly less intense in its color reproduction, it has weaker contrasts.
Achieve the best quality with the right printer paperObserve drying times to prevent smudging
Each paper has its own individual absorbency, which also determines the time it takes for a print to dry. Glossy paper in particular has a very long drying time due to its gloss, as the pores of the paper tend to be closed by the coating and the ink dries more slowly as a result. During this time, the prints should ideally not be touched, otherwise the colors will smudge and fingerprints will become embedded in the print. Satin papers dry faster and are therefore less susceptible to fingerprints.
Longevity of pictures with different paper types
Anyone who prints their pictures should be aware that light is the biggest enemy of any picture. This applies to photos as well as paintings. In addition to the print and the colors used, the picture frame also plays an important role, as different picture frame glasses have different UV resistance. This is comparable to a UV filter. A cheap UV filter not only damages the sharpness of a picture, but also reduces the spectrum of colors that can be absorbed by the eye. This is because we only perceive the colors of the image through the light that is reflected from the image into our eyes. Accordingly, the glass of the picture frame can also have a color-changing effect.
However, high-quality papers in particular are available with a UV protective coating that guarantees basic protection for the lightfastness of the colors after printing. But over the years, a paper can change its color even more due to the evaporation of acids. Care should be taken to ensure that the paper is acid-free.
Some papers also have a certain degree of water resistance. These include some glossy and satin papers.
The right paper for high-quality prints5 tips for storing pictures
Here are five important tips that you should bear in mind when storing high-quality prints.
1. Avoid direct sunlight
- UV rays cause colors to fade and can make the paper brittle.
- Store photos in albums, drawers or in light-protected frames with UV-protective glass.
2. Control humidity
- Humidity can cause paper to curl, yellow or even promote mold growth.
- Ideally, the humidity should be between 30-50%.
- Do not store photos in basements or bathrooms.
3. Use acid-free materials
- Many conventional albums and frames contain acids that damage photos over time.
- Use acid-free photo paper, mounts and archive boxes to avoid chemical reactions.
4. Minimize contact with hands
- Fingerprints and skin oils can permanently damage the surface of the photos.
- When handling, it is best to wear cotton gloves or only touch the edges.
5. Store photos flat and protected
- If photos are not framed, store them flat in a sturdy archive box.
- Use dividers between the photos to avoid sticking and pressure marks.
Conclusion
The right printer paper can often only be found by trial and error. After all, a lot depends on taste and the area of application. But hopefully this guide has given you some idea of what you need to consider. It is also important to use the correct color profiles from the respective paper manufacturer when printing in order to achieve an optimal image result.
