Choosing the right paper is an important part of the image making process, as it is the key to a high-quality print that best represents your artistic vision. Because of this, choosing a paper is often subjective and highly influenced by how you want your print to look.
However, many papers will have characteristics that are more suited to certain images, and this can not only make or break a print but completely alter its ambience. The combination of a great image and paper can elevate a print from ordinary to captivating.
All info from www.permajet.com
Post Details
Posted 28-03-2024
Standart – Photo Paper
The standard paper finishes available are gloss, semi-gloss and matt. These come in many different varieties which alter the overall look and feel. Choosing which paper finish to use is largely down to personal preference – some people love gloss but dislike matt and vice versa. But each option has its own purpose and ways of enhancing the qualities of an image which should be taken into consideration.
GLOSS
A high gloss paper with a classic photographic feel and finish. Its pure white base combined with the smooth coating makes it perfect for gloss lovers.
Recommended for:
º Instances where a high gloss finish is desired º Vibrant, saturated colours º Everyday prints, advertising and studio work
Glossy surfaces are often overlooked because of the reflection that can be experienced in certain lighting conditions, such as when displaying prints in exhibition format. However, gloss papers have many benefits that should be considered. Due to their coating and the way they retain ink, they can achieve a wider colour gamut and vibrancy, a much higher Dmax, and they are also easier to handle than matt papers which can be sensitive to marks. Glossy paper can offer a wonderful depth and clarity that can be hard found in a matt paper, often suiting vibrant, modern images such as studio portraits or colourful landscapes.
Image by Andriy Goncharenko
LUSTRE
The multi-award-winning Photo Lustre has a robust yet luxurious lustre surface and a bright white, heavyweight base. Strong blacks and rich colours are a key feature of this paper.
Recommended for:
º Rich colours and deep, striking blacks º Day-to-day printing that requires a high-quality feel º Detailed monochrome images with strong contrast
Pearl/lustre papers are the popular ‘in-between’ option, offering the excellent qualities of a gloss but with a more neutral surface. This kind of surface is often found in Fibre Based papers which again have excellent Dmax, detail and colour retention. You’ll find subtle variations in the surfaces available on the market, from smooth right through to a highly ‘stippled’ look. These papers usually excel with images that have dense blacks, high shadow detail, and monochromes with wide tonal ranges.
Image by Paul Hassell
MATT
A clean white paper with a beautifully smooth matt surface and ultra image sharpness.
Recommended for:
º Deep, crisp colours and sharp details º Wildlife and portraits with soft tones º Everyday printing that requires a matt finish
Matt finishes have no shine at all, and are most popular for fine art prints. Matt papers have a range of textures that sit on a spectrum from velvety smooth right through to heavily textured. A textured paper can really lift an image off the page, especially with highly detailed subjects – think of the peeling rust on the side of a boat, the fine hairs on a dog’s face, or an oil painting with elevated brush strokes. These wouldn’t stand out on a smooth, glossy paper in the same way that they would on a textured matt paper. With the right image, the look and feel of a matt paper can completely enhance the emotional and tactile experience of a print, giving it real depth.
Image by Malou Reedorf
Fine Art Paper
The finest range of art papers available. From silky smooth to roughly textured, there’s a paper to suit every photographer, artist and all those in between. Whether it’s for an exhibition, competition, or to cherish in an album – you’ll find your forever paper.
Artist Watercolour 250
his paper has a natural white base with a heavily textured surface reminiscent of watercolour paper.
Recommended for:
º Artistic fine art pieces, particularly large scale pieces º Sketches and paintings, for a realistic reproduction of textures º Super colours and definition
Image from Pixabay / Art Tower
Gallery Etching 310
This textured fine art paper has a natural white base, with random undulations in the surface for a more pronounced texture. Reminiscent of a modern day etchings paper.
Recommended for:
º Detailed fine art reproductions, particularly art pieces º Images that require an added look of texture º Bold, vibrant colours and deep blacks
Image by Steve Gosling
Museum Heritage 310
An outstanding fine art paper with a mid-white base, displaying a lovely rough weaved texture with random undulations. Acid-free, water resistant and finished with an impressive scuff-resistant coating to avoid ‘flaking’ seen on similar papers.
Recommended for:
º Fine art pieces that require extra depth, with incredible highlight and shadow detail º Complex colours and highly detailed pieces º Rustic scenes and landscapes, ‘weathered’ portraits
Image by Libby Smith
Photo Art Silk 290
A fine art matt paper with a subtle, undulating textured surface. Its unique coating takes on a luxurious silk sheen when printed on, that sparkles in the light and bursts with vibrancy.
Recommended for:
º Subject matters containing reflective surfaces, such as water º Fine art prints that need an extra special finish º Long exposure seascapes
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