Walk into any office supply or computer store, and you'll see rows and rows of paper, all claiming to give you the best photo output. Making the right photo paper choice for your digital prints, however, requires an understanding of both your technological needs and artistic intent. It's important to know how to buy photo paper for the best digital prints.
Why Can't I Use Just Any Paper for My Photos?
To save money, you can use almost any printer paper to output your photos. Unfortunately, you'll probably end up with lousy pictures. Photo paper is specially treated to work with your printer's inks or pigments to create the rich, continuous tones that we've come to expect from photographs.
The Right Paper for Your Printer
Your choices among various photo papers can be reduced by the make and model of the desktop printer that you are using. Because every photo printer is tuned and calibrated to perform best with paper and ink that are specifically matched to it, be sure that the name and model number of your printer is on the package of paper that you buy. Otherwise, the quality of your printed pictures may be poor; in some cases, the ink will slide right off the paper.
If you want to be sure of top-quality prints, stick with paper that is sold under the same brand name as your printer and is designated as appropriate for your particular model. While generic paper brands are usually less expensive than matched brand names, it can be a gamble whether or not they produce as high of quality prints.
Archival Photo Paper
Not all desktop printer paper is meant to last a long time. Some inkjet photo papers will fade in a few years; some last only a few months. If print longevity is important to you, be sure to use only papers and matching inks that are marked Archival. Read the labels carefully: Some may last 20 or 30 years, while others are guaranteed to last a century, or more.
Photo Paper Surface: A Deep Issue
Should you buy glossy, semi-glossy or matte photo paper? Choosing your paper surface is a very personal, artistic decision. Glossy paper produces a slick, shiny print, similar to traditional photos. Semi-glossy is less shiny, but still has a smooth look. Matte has no shine at all, which some people feel gives their photos a more artsy look.
For really special prints, you can sometimes use canvas-like paper. It's expensive, but done right, canvas prints can look like fine oil paintings.
Keep packages of all kinds of surfaces on hand, so that you can make choices based upon the composition and feel of each individual photo.
Weighty Considerations
When you see "heavy weight" or "medium weight" on a package of paper, that refers to how thick the sheets are. Heavier is thicker, which gives a more substantial, and professional, feel to your photos; however, the heavier the paper, the more expensive it will be.
Tip: If you are printing postcards or business cards, you'll want a heavier weight.
