So you’re at the store and you’re trying to figure out the type of photo paper you should get.  What will get you the best results for the cost?  What are the differences between glossy and matte paper?  While you know you’re looking for photographic paper, you’re completely unsure about the minor differences between each style and brand.  And also, besides the normal choice between glossy and matte photo paper, what’s the difference between semi-gloss (satin), and the other types of photo paper?

When you go to the developer for photographs with your camera, you typically get glossy paper back.  This slick-surfaced paper is what is generally thought of when thinking about photos.  There are many factors that have influenced the continued popularity of glossy photos.  First, the paper is really shiny which makes the photos more appealing to look at.  Second, a lot of glossy photo papers make the colors of the picture “pop” out.

Matte photo paper, on the other hand, tends to be used for more formal types of pictures.  While not as fancy as glossy paper, matte photographic paper has its advantages.  If you’re displaying photographs in a really bright room, you’ll find that glossy papers to reflect light a lot more.  This leads to viewers of the photograph having difficulty seeing the picture because of a glare from the bright light.  Matte paper doesn’t have as much of problem with glares, which makes the optimal for settings with lots of lighting.  Matte paper is also much better for gray scale and black and white imagery.

The final major choice for photo paper is semi-gloss paper.  This is the intermediary between glossy and matte photo papers.  The surface of satin photographic paper is not quite smooth and flat like matte but it’s also not as shiny as glossy.  Colors printed on semi-gloss paper tend to be much more vibrant and gorgeous.  It also doesn’t have the disadvantage of generating a glare like glossy photo paper.  Semi-gloss paper is traditional used by many portrait studios.  If you’ve ever had your pictures taken at Sears or at school, often the results are printed on satin paper.

The photo paper you may use for your trip to Hawaii will be much different from the photo paper you’d use if you’re a wedding photographer.  For example, if your photos are just going to be thrown away after you show them off to everyone, do you really want to spend a lot of money on your paper?  Whereas on the other hand, if you’re a photographer and you sell the pictures you take, you’re going to want have photo paper that looks and feels like quality.  Presentation is key with photo paper and the differences between glossy and matte photo paper will help you with that.

Glossy Photo Paper

Glossy photo paper is important for people who need some flashy pictures.  If you’re in doubt with which type of photo paper you’re going to choose, glossy paper is the best for most situations.   The results of glossy photo paper you print at home will match or exceed the photos you’re used to getting from a developer.  The slick, stylish presentation will dazzle everyone you show the paper to, from your family members to important clients.

Matte Photo Paper

Matte photo paper, while doesn’t have the flashy pizzazz of its glossy cousin, is another type of photo paper that can get you amazing results when printed on.  Matte paper doesn’t have a lot of the problems that you can get from glossy photo paper.  For example, glossy paper reflects light a lot.  In really bright environments, you can have difficulties seeing the picture if you have a bad viewing angle.  Matte paper, on the other hand, doesn’t have the problem.  Another great thing about matte paper, especially at looking the premium “studio quality” brands, is the paper simply feels like a million dollars.  With great matte photo paper, you can print for less than a couple dollars at home, results that look like they cost you $50 dollars at a photography studio.

Quality Photo Paper Brands

There are many brands of photo paper out there that you can choose from.  Some brands you’ve probably heard of like HP, Canon, and Epson, and others you’ve probably haven’t heard of as well like Meritline.  Photo paper quality does vary between brands and it also varies between the brand of printer/ink you have too.  Photo paper brands will give you the greatest results when paired with its brothers.  For example, if you have an HP inkjet printer, you’re going to want to buy HP brand ink, as well as HP brand photo paper.  HP, and other companies as well, will research and design their products to work and look amazing with each other.