Archival Matte Paper Vs Glossy

Use of glossy paper with a dye based printer has the consequence of colors fading or shifting over time they are not archival quality so if you want the colors to last for decades.

Archival matte paper vs glossy.

The shine on glossy prints also adds a contemporary element to your photos so this finish is not recommended for vintage style photography such as images printed in black and white or sepia tones. Glossy photo paper is shinier this makes the color in your images pop on the sheet. In other words it is a measurement of how long the image will last without losing its colour and without fading or changing its tones. Archival photo paper is a term used to define the longevity of a photograph or image on a photo paper.

Many of the inkjet art and photo papers we offer from innova hahnemuhle museo and moab were manufactured to conform to iso standards 11108 and 9706. But rag cotton paper will have a matte finish. The extra shine works well on print files with heavy color coverage especially photographs and big graphics. Matte finish photos are useful for very small prints like the ones you keep in your wallet or passport photographs.

However the matte finish on photos does come with a hidden cost. Select archival quality paper such as a rag cotton paper. The images won t be quite as vibrant or colorful. Gloss left appears smoother and shinier than matte right.

If you are looking for acid free archival paper for printing photographs art drawings and heirloom books we offer dozens of choices. Since glossy paper makes the colors of an image more vibrant this coating option works best for colored photo prints.