subject: Factors To Consider While Choosing Premium Photo Paper [print this page] The advent of photo paper revolutionized the concept of photo printing. Though there were not many choice when the photo paper was first introduced into the market, today there are many variations of premium photo paper available for people to choose from. There are different papers based on the thickness (also called caliper), the whiteness, size and the overall finish. Considering the sheer variety available, finding the right paper to meet your photo printing requirements is not an easy task. There are a few factors that you need to keep in mind in order to simplify this task.
The first thing that you need to consider is the type of finish that you are looking for. Do you need premium photo paper that does not reflect light easily? Are you looking for premium paper to print large advertisements? Do you want the photos to emulate reality and add a 3D effect? Getting clarity on these questions will help you determine the type of finish that you are looking for. While the matte photo paper is ideal for printing photographs for photo frames, the glossy photo paper is ideal for those who need to add a 3D effect to the picture for a realistic effect. You can also choose from options such as semi gloss, luster and satin finishes as well.
You should also consider the place you intend to place the photo before you choose the premium photo paper for printing it. If you are planning to hang the photo directly under a light, it is recommended that you do not use glossy paper since it tends to cringe under the heat generated by the light and mars the beauty of the picture. Instead you can consider using the matte paper since it does not get effected by the light. It also does not generate the glare that glossy paper does because it has a textured finish. Therefore, people can view the picture with greater clarity and lesser strain on the eyes.
The whiteness of the premium photo paper is another factor that you need to consider. There are certain whitening agents that manufacturing companies use to manufacture white photo papers. While some of them are of good quality, there are a few that are not worth purchasing. When you buy photo paper, you should opt for papers that have a value of 90 and above in terms of whiteness. It is always recommended that you buy these papers from reputed stores so the papers do not change their color from white to yellow in a few days after printing photos on them.
Finally, you should also consider the type of printer you are using to print the photos. The two main types of photo printers that are used for printing photos at homes or professional studios are laser printers or ink jet printers. The printing technology used in these printers is very different from one another. Therefore, the type of premium photo paper that is suitable for one is not usable for the other. It is better to refer to the manufacturer's manual before buying the photo papers.
