Lustre or Matte or Glossy? Which Paper Is Best For Printing Your Photograph?

[@LetsClickPhotography]

If the info in this video has helped you out, please consider clicking SUBSCRIBE - it's TOTALLY FREE and I'd really, really appreciate it. Thanks :)

[@roxanehugues7837]

super useful, thanks!!

[@patriciasimone7389]

Thank you soo much!! I spent forever online tonight and your video had all the answers! Lustre is what I was looking to use and now I know the different names that can be called as well as when to use. You are awesome!! I liked and subscribed 🤗

[@paulkennedycreativemedia]

Good insight to what kind of paper to use for printing. Didn’t know about that middle man paper. Cheers for sharing.

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Cheers Paul, appreciate it mate :)

[@WalterStinnettPhotography]

Dave, this information you shared was very helpful because I really haven't thought about when to use the different papers. I always seem to chose glossy when I am having a photo printed. But now I have the information to make a better decision. Thanks for sharing this!

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Thank you Walter, I appreciate your time. Like everything in photography, there are pros and cons to all the choices but I hope that you can find use for the information at some point in the future. Always grateful for your support Walter :)

[@MarkTianzTVmusic]

I observe old photos are tougher than printed photos now a days.

[@incredible421]

Thanks for the video. I was confused in which category semi gloss paper belongs to and your explanation made it clear for me

[@Mel_Cano]

Thank you so much, you are so underrated! Thank you for all the help mate!

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Thanks so much, glad it was useful for you :)

[@SUPER7X]

Helpful. Thank you. The options on the website I bought from were ‘Glossy’ and ‘Matte/Satin’, so I went with the latter. I'll see whether it's more matte or more satin when I get it I guess hahaha.

[@vdondada]

A really helpful video. Easy to follow and understand, you've got samples that show the clear difference and its unbiased. Awesome stuff! You deserve more followers! I'm about to expand my artistic offerings and start selling prints - this information is much appreciated!

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Thank you so much, what an awesome comment to receive. Really appreciate the great feedback. Good luck with your print sales.....that is a subject which I am intending to discuss very soon on my channel

[@vdondada]

@@LetsClickPhotography My pleasure just the honest truth. Oh and great! I'll keep an eye out for that video - I've subscribed 👍🏽

[@JinxyZombieHyperdrive]

Absolutely brilliant video. Thanks for this

[@olivershutterspeed]

your vids are soo good :D thanks for the tips!

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Thanks very much Oliver, appreciate that mate 😀

[@niab7802]

That’s an awesome description. Thank you for this video!

[@zapump1278]

Super helpful!! And pretty quick and the summary at the end is phenomenal. Thank you!!!

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Thanks very much - glad it was useful to you :)

[@yahway11]

Great overview to help a beginner get started!! Thanks

[@merygo0417]

What kind of paper or what is the of paper did you use

[@MECHAMUSO]

Very helpful, thanks mate. I just ordered a print online, I was going to order "satin" as I know it but the only option was "lustre", so good to know it's exactly what I wanted anyway. 👍

[@Lizofthe6070s]

Thank you. Perfectly describes exactly what I wanted to know.

[@paulcookphotography]

Great video mate. I can't say any more than you've already said...three basic choices with so many paper choices in the spectrum. I decided a couple of years ago never to print my photos, or offer it as a choice on glossy. Between reflective paper and high reflective glass I could never quite see the point. It's been all lustre or matte type papers and have had zero issues or complaints from clients. Great video as always mate and great information and presentation as always. Hope all is well and you guys are staying safe.

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Cheers mate. TBH I don't offer glossy as an option on anything I sell - but I do have some of my food stuff printed on glossy - but it's only select ones that live inside a 'portfolio' album, as it can pop - and some drinks stuff looks pretty good with a reflective sheen. But anything I ever hand over for anyone to handle though is always on a form of lustre paper. I hate the feel of glossy paper, just feels cheap in hand. So yep I stear clear for the most part. For many though it still remains an option (at a certain level), mainly because they're going to high street printers and, over here, some of the supermarket convinience print kiosks only offer gloss....cheap n nasty. I still get portrait clients asking if I do glossy options for prints - mainly because they don't know any different.

[@livingwithpurpose0629]

That was a great video. Thank you so much

[@ChristopherCina]

That was quite helpful. When my old printer crashed, I bought a new one and figured I'd get one that does photos as well. Bought an Epson 970 and lots of glossy paper, threw a couple of prints in frames and seemed a bit too shiny, a glare looking at it on an angle, now I know I probably could have used a more appropriate paper. Thanks for the tips!

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Thanks a lot, I'm glad it was of some use. That's ultimately the drawback with glossy - great sharp rich images, but for framing and hanging, just too darn reflective.

[@brendameister9395]

Thank you for this video. It is very helpful.

[@priscillayg]

this was very helpful for my printing decisions, thank you!

[@Jess-8705]

Thank you so much for breaking this down!!

[@LetsClickPhotography]

You're very welcome Jessica, hope the info helps you get some great prints

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Talking paper today and whether Lustre, Matte or Glossy paper is best for your photograph. There are lots more paper options available but most are just slight variations of these with different finishes or base colours. I hope this helps to understand these options and which is the best for for your style of image. Thanks for watching, please Click the THUMBS UP if this was helpful :)

[@torbenlysholm1]

Thanks for explaining this. I'm buying paper for serious printing on my "new" Epson P600 for the first time now, and was wondering about the "best" paper for it. Now I see, that it's all about, what it's for. Luster/Semi-gloss and Matte for me, and I know exactly what to print on what. Thanks again.

[@LetsClickPhotography]

So glad it was of use Torben, really pleased, thanks for commenting and letting me know :)

[@NarratingLisa]

Sooooo helpful! Thanks!

[@GMWTravels]

Very Useful video thanks

[@tonymckeage1028]

Great Video, Love these product review Vlogs, thanks for sharing

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Thanks Tony 😀

[@Therushtravelers]

Great vid. What's the best long lasting paper can be be used for wedding album?

[@theblazephotography]

Wow..... a beautiful and interesting. thanks for sharing.

[@shashank3717]

What should I buy for oil painted soft copy of a couple ?

[@roshanminai]

Hey, I got a question. I guess you answered but I'd like to confirm. My sister used to work for Meta back in the days, and sometimes printed few projects for me from her office printer. What was striking was that the texture of the A4-sized paper was like any other normal document page, rough(not glossy) but only the printed matter(both characters and photos) had some sort of glossy lustre. I mean the photo printed on the paper was semi-glossy while the paper isn't glossy at all. Your video makes it seem as tho it's dependent on the texture of paper you use for the finish you get, but wasn't it the printer in her office that printed semi-glossy?

[@LetsClickPhotography]

It was likely a laser printer - these use a wax toner rather than ink, and it’s this which gives it the ‘glossy’ finish on the print area

[@roshanminai]

Thanks! @@LetsClickPhotography

[@jhoannayyo]

Hello, excellent video, friend, could you recommend what type of paper is generally used for wedding photographs, where can I buy it in the USA per roll that I can use on my Epson et 8550? thank you.

[@nateshf9303]

Enjoyed this informative video tremendously

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Thanks a lot Nate, glad it was helpful :)

[@BIGTONEonline]

Thanks for this info! 👍🏾

[@karlawilson4828]

This was so helpful! Thank you!

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Thank you Karla, glad it was helpful :)

[@CatnapCreed]

You explained this very well, thank you! I’m a new photographer and I’m also new to printing w my canon PIXMA TR4720 so I’m trying to figure out the best paper that will produce a high quality, professional photos to give my clients!

[@SteveyJ03]

Perfect description of each. Just what I was looking for.

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Cheers mate, glad it was helpful

[@ochickuusa-cuocsongmy7475]

Such a nice video. I like to watch it in full. See you again! 👍🍞❤️👉🤝 !!

[@TheDesign11]

this has helped me alot thank you for all your information mate much appreciated

[@LetsClickPhotography]

No problem 👍 glad it was helpful :)

[@noorallawati5390]

Thank you so much for this! Im going for glossy and semi-gloss as i want mostly album storage!

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Great choices for an album

[@lifachannel9154]

success always friends, hopefully the content will be more and more famous👍👍👍

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Thanks

[@kimsilva7825]

Big help. Thank you so much

[@luttappipp2881]

Which is the best paper for wedding album? Here we have colorful marriages.I'm confused with lustre and Hi gloss. Please help. Thank you.

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Hi there - if the images are being printed directly onto the wedding album paper then I would personally go with a lustre paper. If the photographs are printed and are mounted behind some plastic film then gloss. I hope this helps make a choice - let me know if I can help further

[@luttappipp2881]

@@LetsClickPhotography Thank you❤

[@imaginrr]

Great informative video.

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Thanks a lot

[@lsw2815]

Big thanks from south korea 🇰🇷 very helpful

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Thank you 😃

[@MikeSW]

I wish that companies would just take their paper and subject it to a standardized test: print all the pages black with a bullseye pattern in the center and hold a light source 10 or so inches away from the paper to see how resolved the reflected light is. Otherwise you sort of need to get your hands on everything to really know what you are getting.

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Spot on, that's exactly why I bought a printer. It's so difficult to tell from descriptions - even videos like this can't really get across the qualities of the papers properly. Decent labs will offer pre printed sample cards for their papers for usually no more than a few £/$ - go around enough labs and you get a fair sample of different paper manufacturers. But that's hardly the best way about it. Shame there isn't an iso number for paper types really then they'd have to provide tests similar to your suggestion.

[@FabrizioZago]

Hi Dave, good comparison! I like more the sharpness and the contrast of the glossy paper but finally I go always for the matt finish, I really don't like the light reflections on the glossy paper. Recently I've printed bigger photos on Fine Art paper, I like a lot the Photo Rag at the moment for some landscapes work.

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Thank Fabrizio, I love photo rag papers for that Fine Art look, like all it has limitations when it comes to certain scenes, but for great beautiful fine art, second to none and great images. Like you I do like the contrast and sharpness with glossy but often change for the lustre papers due to the reflective quality. Thanks Fabrizio, I do hope you are keeping well :)

[@FabrizioZago]

@@LetsClickPhotography You're right, the photo rag doesn't suit to all the scenes. I'm keeping well, thanks for asking! I hope you're keeping well too!

[@bobwoolcock]

If the print is to be mounted under glass, is there an issue with getting a double reflection? If not, I would think glossy would be the way to go when framing with glass - better dynamic range. ??

[@LetsClickPhotography]

There is a thing called paper ripple effect, this is basically a double reflection, where the reflection from the paper interacts with the reflection from the glass and appears like a ripple in the image. It's dependent on where you hang it, the angle of incidence and reflection though. There's no golden rule but yes, a good quality gloss will have half a stop to 2 stops more DR than Matte.

[@bobwoolcock]

Thanks. Since, these days, we don’t want to disappoint with a flat looking print compared to how the image first looks when seen onscreen, I’ll use glossy. I suppose using non reflective glass would mitigate the problem but framing is already an expensive process :) I’ll first show the glossy prints in protective plastic sleeves - and then if the gallery shows any interest I’ll re-print the way they want.

[@MongPhamTV]

Chia sẻ hay lắm bạn

[@LetsClickPhotography]

cảm ơn bạn

[@jarredlaska3664]

I have a canon pixma pro 100 and I'm trying to print on matte paper. However, no matter what my settings are, it never comes out right. Too much ink, or not enough. It's almost never absorbed by the paper and I don't know why. But It works perfectly on luster and business glossy paper but that's it. I haven't found another paper that works with it.

[@Robert-Bishop]

Good explanation Dave. I've been experimenting with printing a lot recently. The two papers I've settled on for now are Fotospeed NST 315 as my matte option and Canson Photographiquue II Baryta as my glossy option (though it's more of a satin finish). Not sure if you've tried them, but they both seem excellent so far.

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Thanks Robert. I haven’t tried the Fotospeed papers yet so will give them a look the next time I’m testing out papers, thanks. I have actually just got hold of the Canson discovery pack after hearing good things about the papers so I’m looking forward to trying them out. I do like a baryta finish too, especially for monochrome images, they print really wide contrast images perfectly.

[@adelawad3241]

What is the best place to print landscape pic will hang on the wall and what is the best kind of paper suitable to pop the pic and decrease the glare and reflection in impix

[@marybernal5900]

Thank you so much for this!

[@kevins8575]

Good rundown. Thanks!

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Cheers Kevin

[@imgarchette]

Thanks!

[@sergioknuf]

Wich one shows small text best?

[@chrisschaad996]

Very good explanation thank you

[@suparnasrivastava781]

What will be the best for Black and white pics ???

[@hanifmacca]

Great video, thank you! I had money on that mug taking flight by the way...

[@LetsClickPhotography]

haha thanks - yeah I don't know why I put that there, got lucky on this one

[@jonathanchrist706]

Very useful, thank you

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Thanks, glad it was helpful

[@Arijit520]

Hi, that is lot of proper information. But I have a question. I am printing my marriage album in "Neo Flash Mount" Album. But I am confused which print to take? MAT or LUSTRE.....Can you please help.....Thanks in advance...

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Hello there, I often think of Lustre as the safe option for wedding photography as it offers great vibrancy with reduced reflections and a subtle texture to the finish - of course a lot will depend on the style of photo but if in doubt I would go lustre

[@golgappacouple]

Hi What paper will be your suggestion for marriage album?

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Depends on the processing but generically speaking a slightly textured lustre would be my go to....check on coatings as well - thinner paper without a coating with tear easier (and feel cheap) - I'd recommend going for 200gsm plus unless it is mounted and coated.

[@cookingmadesimple8678]

Love this! Thanks so much ❤️❤️❤️

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Thank you 😃

[@AndrewHamiltonPhotography]

Always have and still do find this an immense choice and decision pain experience !! Not so much on Lustre / Matte / Gloss for which I'd agree on all your points in the film Dave, but on the different papers from which to choose ! Then there's the glass - please do a video on glass choice ! And don't talk frames - Initially used IKEA but they bend and bow so quickly and still to find a good source for frames - any tips ?

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Yeah it's just far too much choice when printing. Hence this video - if you can decide between these three then it takes some of that choice away. If this does ok then I may do a more detailed couple of videos on lustre variants and matte variants in the future and look at the finish, weight , texture etc. I agree it's a minefield - it's why I decided I wanted to get a printer!! Frame wise take a look at 'frames by post' - they're reasonable price for around the house (it's wrapped MDF for the main) but look good and found their customer service to be really excellent - never had a problem on the couple of occasions I've needed to return - usually due to me wanting to see a sample! The ones you see in this are 'H7' frames and have been hung for a good couple of years on the wall without sign of bending or bowing so good value for money imo.

[@AndrewHamiltonPhotography]

@@LetsClickPhotography Thanks Dave and I'll take a look - I'm just about happy that I can print from my mac now (after calibration, learning about soft proofing and paper profiles etc ! Get the paper, glass and framing right and Robert's your father's brother ha ha !

[@LetsClickPhotography]

@@AndrewHamiltonPhotography hahaha yep and Fanny's his wife

[@GilbertoIHartmann]

Thanks for explanation.

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Glad it was helpful!

[@osatoa8243]

Hi I have a question, when printing on lustre paper do I export my photos for matte or gloss? Many thanks

[@LetsClickPhotography]

For lustre, export as gloss 👍🏻

[@osatoa8243]

@@LetsClickPhotography Thanks a lot!

[@talulahbluebell]

Great video thank you

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Thanks

[@AndrewWaltonPhotography]

Great video Dave. This is interesting as in my day job as a Graphic Designer I nearly always go for a silk (lustre) type finish for jobs over gloss because it looks classier and doesn't pick up finger prints as much when handled. We tend not to go for matt as the colours are less vibrant although with the right job it can look very smart on matt stock - one for special occasions. The print process is entirely different to that of photo printing but it was interesting that the conclusions are pretty similar.

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Hey Andrew thanks for the feedback. I would definitely agree with that - Lustre papers do have a classier look and finish to them. I tend to only really use Glossy (as seen in the vid) for some of my food shots as the colours can really pop on them. But my go to paper is without doubt the variants of Lustre....and the prints that I tend to hand over to clients to look at (rather than being viewed in a folder) are always on lustre, again as you mention, as they don't pick up grease and grime so easily and, importantly too when handing to a client, they feel good in the hand, not got that 'squeaky' feel (if you know what I mean) of glossy. And I think you've nailed Matte there - special occasion printing!

[@alyskies6626]

hiii i just wanna ask if u know how to print pictures like Polaroid...like the picture in the middle is glossy and the white frame is matte

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Quickest and easiest way would be to purchase a Polaroid Studio Lab printer. They're about 100 (£/$ etc) and work with the vast majority of smart devices :)

[@dyh914]

I wish you would have shown a side by side of the 3 together. It would have put things into comparison better.

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Fair feedback, thanks. I did do that in a different video so check this link here (it should take you directly the right time stamp) kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnabqJptgrOqY7s

[@VintageInsightPhotography]

The soft painterly look of matte finish... I think I’ll sand my iMac screen so my work can look more artistic. 😆 Great synopsis of photo papers. An often overlooked aspect of printing. Well done. 👍

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Thank you James. It's actually a really good point you raise there, in a humorous manner. A lot of talk in photography is about getting crystal sharp images, we invest in 4k+ retina displays to see them as clearly as possible, spending money on super sharp lenses....and then many will print them on paper that loses sharpness and contrast. In a fashion you've hit the nail on the head. Thanks for the feedback James, really appreciated.......oh and may I add btw - I found a lot of your talk on your studio work really fascinating during your Friday Night interview, plus the chat on getting clients and advertising - the medium may have changed but it's still very much the same. Thoroughly enjoyable and looking forward to seeing/hearing more in the future.

[@VintageInsightPhotography]

​@@LetsClickPhotography Thanks for recognizing the humo(u)r in my comment. Also, big thank you for commenting on my interview with Paul Cook.

[@jfphotography69]

I use 8.5x11 and 17x22 Epson exhibition fiber paper with my Canon Prograf PRO1000 and the results are fantastic.

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Those Prograf printers are something else - 12 inks systems, can imagine the image quality is amazing

[@laragwaysailoilo2898]

From mirrorless X-E4 Fujifilm how is the process?

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Hey there, thanks for watching. Not sure I understand your question, do you mean which paper would be the best, or how to get your photos ready to print?

[@tatonyaharden6997]

Very helpful

[@gracepach3916]

What about watercolor painting prints on paper??

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Hey Grace - For something along those lines - I'd be looking for more of a Fine Art paper - so probably a matte but more specifically a 100% Cotton based paper. I presume you are talking about printing a copy of a watercolour painting, not painting onto the paper itself (if so then a specific watercolour paper by someone like Cansun will be the direction to look in)? Perhaps something along the lines of Hahnemuhle Fine Art PhotoRag (or their platinum Rag range perhaps).

[@ashleyl836]

Thank you!

[@LetsClickPhotography]

You're welcome! Thanks

[@phototocanvaspdx]

Im surprised you say gloss is the most popular. Ive had one roll of gloss for 4 years and gone through dozens upon dozens of matte and luster.

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Gloss (at least here in the UK) is by far the most popular consumer paper. Not knowledgable photographer choice, but at base consumer level, every high street developer, online developer or kiosk etc knocks out gloss prints by default.

[@phototocanvaspdx]

@@LetsClickPhotography Thats interesting thanks for the reply! I guess im not too familiar with kiosks, but here in the US I don't know anyone that prefers gloss. When normal consumers come into my shop and see samples no one ever picks gloss. The online labs I used to used defaulted to luster. Maybe it's a regional thing.

[@loveisthemostpowerfulforce1397]

Which is the safest to burn so you don't breath toxic fumes?

[@thiruvarursubasamayal8917]

, 🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@brycekruger7154]

This was super helpful, thank you!

[@LetsClickPhotography]

Thanks Bryce, glad it was of use :)

[@StewartHarding]

Very useful. Thank you.

[@LetsClickPhotography]

You're welcome Stewart, thanks