The printing paper you choose significantly affects your artwork’s overall look and feel. Making the correct decision ensures you don’t lose some details, and the result is as vibrant and beautiful as you’d like it to be. Read on to learn which paper to choose, even when carrying out custom posters overnight printing.
What is Photo Paper?
Photo paper has a glossy or semi-gloss finish and is designed for printing photos. It’s thicker than regular paper, and the shiny surface enhances the colors in an image, making them more vibrant and intense.
Photos printed on it are more resistant to smudges, fingerprints, and tears than ordinary paper. They also dry faster. The subtle sheen and smooth surface give photos a professional, polished look. It’s ideal for general-purpose use and text-heavy images.
What is Art Paper?
Art paper has a matte finish suitable for art prints. Most are 100% cotton and acid-free, preserving the image and keeping it from fading over time. It’s thicker than regular copy paper and not as smooth as photo paper. The matte surface gives art prints a more subtle look.
Artwork printed on art paper won’t be as vibrant as on glossy photo paper, but the image will have a brighter and more true-to-life look. The texture of the paper reduces glare; you can display the piece in any lighting without losing contrast or color. Art paper is ideal for prints focusing on texture, such as watercolor paintings or charcoal drawings.
Choose an art paper with little or no optical brighteners added to make it appear whiter and brighter. The brighteners (OBAS) absorb ultraviolet light and emit a blue-violet color, making the paper appear whiter. Over time, they break down, making the image look faded and yellowed.
Which Paper to Choose
The main difference between art and photo paper is that the former’s glossy surface makes the colors in an image more vibrant and intense, whereas art paper gives images a more subtle look. Additionally, photo paper has a sheen, while art paper is entirely matte.
For photographs, photo paper is ideal but go for art paper when reproducing digital images, such as paintings and illustrations. Photo paper is also less expensive though the margin is narrowing as art papers become more widely available.
Whichever the choice, go for the archival-quality paper to preserve the artwork for years. Acid-free and 100% cotton paper maintain the colors, resisting yellowing and fading over time.
Print Image Preparation Also Matters
Take time to prepare your images correctly. Optimize the file resolution and color settings to the desired output. Check if there’s any excess bleeding or background noise in the picture. Also, consider the image, paper size, and scale to ensure correct printing.
Choose Wisely
Choosing a high-quality paper for your artwork enhances its overall look and feel. When deciding which one to go for, ask an expert or do a test print on both to see which one works best. Also, spend time preparing and optimizing the image for the best outcome. Once you make the right choice, you’re sure of eye-catching and vibrant artwork.