Types of Photo Paper

You have just bought a brand new photo printer, so you can print your pictures at home. When it comes time to buy the actual photo paper you find out there is more than one type of photo paper. Now, the average consumer will not know what the difference between each type of photo paper is. So here a little information on photo paper that you might find helpful.

First of all you must be sure to buy the correct photo paper for your printer. You can reduce your choices among the different photo papers by looking at photo paper that match the make and model of the printer that you are using. Because every photo printer is tuned and calibrated to perform best with paper and ink that are made specifically to matched it, be sure that the name and model number of your printer is on the package of paper that you buy, or else the quality of your printed pictures may be very low. If you want to have top notch prints, it is recommended that you 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 the brand names, they might not produce as high of quality prints.

Secondly, what type of paper should you buy: glossy, semi-glossy or matte photo paper? Glossy paper produces a slick, shiny print, similar to your everyday 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. Also, you can sometimes use canvas-like paper. It's expensive, but done right, canvas prints can look like fine oil paintings.

Finally, the weight of the photo paper is also important when selecting photo paper. 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. You should also make sure that your printer can handle thick photo paper.Photo papers for more critical work are thicker and have advanced coatings, sometimes with quick-drying properties. They can normally only be printed on one side, because only one side has the special coating. There are a few papers suitable for double-sided printing.

For information on printer inks visit Inkchief.com

Daniel De Avila. President/Owner of Inkchief.com. Many years of experience in the ink and toner industry. Has extensive knowledge of laser and inkjet printing systems. For more information on printers and printer supplies please visit Inkchief.com