Inkjet Photo Paper

Iconic

Does anyone know which is best matt or glossy?

What is the difference between 179gsm and 230g/m2?

I suppose you get what you pay for but I have found matt paper gives me better results than glossy.

Perhaps the glossy paper I got from the poundshop was bad quality but just because it was cheap does it mean it's no good?

McAzrael

In turn:
1. It's a matter of taste.
2. gsm = g/m2 = grams per square metre. 230 gsm paper will be thicker than 179 gsm paper. This only tells you the weight of the paper, it says nothing about the quality of the printing surface or its suitability for different printers and inks.
3. I guess your taste is for matt paper.
4. Indeed you do get what you pay for. Good paper costs a lot of money, whether it is matt or gloss.

smileyjohn

To understand which paper will perform best have a look at this article on Photo paper. Basically select the one that suits your printer/ink

Iconic

Thanks for the replies. I have had a look at the link but am still no wiser.

What is the difference between these two papers?

Epson A4 Premium Glossy Photo Paper
High quality resin coated 255g/m² paper with the weight & texture of true silver halide media. When used in conjunction with the appropriate Stylus Photo printers this media offers increased lightfastness.20 sheets=£11.20=56p per sheet


SNR Premium Glossy InkJet Paper (260gsm) Premium High Quality Paper
Superb Print Quality - 100 Retail Pack=£7.26 =7p per sheet

The Epsom paper should be 8 times better but is it? I cannot tell the difference between Epsom Inks and others but I know there is a big difference in papers but how do I find out??

Can anyone recommend some good affordable injet paper?

unrich

You buy it and test it. They are all trying to match the heavy feel of good old fashioned photographic paper.

Lower quality papers bleed inks and can look a bit fuzzy. (apparently)

High quality proprietary papers are designed to work with manufacturers inks and can not be beaten. (or so they would have us believe).

Thicker paper is better.

What feel do you want for the picture. Some pictures suit different paper finishes. I prefer high gloss but matt, pearl, peach etc all can look nice for the right image.

Most of the time I keep a look out and buy paper when I see it on offer. Buy heavy over 200gsm and heavier the better.

Work out the pence per sheet and when you see a good deal buy it.

The paper problem will only be an issue if you have a fancy multi ink printer. If you have a two cartridge cheapy then I'd forget the Epson paper.

hc25036

To an extent it also depends on what you are printing and why. Photographers spend ages (and loads of dosh) to find the right paper for their prints, and may use different paper for different types of picture. You could use cheapo paper to print postcard-sized prints to give to mates but much more expensive heavy paper to make prints for the photo album or to stick on the wall for instance.

A general rule of thumb (that isn't always true though) is that paper from the manufacturer of your printer will give better results overall - even if it is just a longer life before the prints start to fade.

I have canon colour printers and do find that Canon paper gives the best results for high-quality uses. However, Permajet is very close as is Olmec paper (just Google them). For routine printing I get paper from www.papermilldirect.com which has a large range of good paper. Jessops and Cartridge World shops often have 2 for 1 offers on papers. If you use Papermill Direct, sign up for the newsletter as they often have 10 or 20% discounts to coincide with Bank Holidays or other events.