Tips and Tricks for Buying Photo Paper
You may not be an expert photographer yet but, with the correct photo paper, your works will indeed look expert-made. This article will guide and share with you some tips on using the best photo paper for your project. So, read on and discover the best photo paper to use for your photo printing needs.
Know Your Printer
Your printer and its properties are essential factors in buying the right photo paper. If you have an inkjet printer, you will need good quality paper that absorbs the right amount of ink. Plus, with an inkjet printer, the print quality, gloss, and shine will greatly depend on the photo paper used. So, using the right photo paper is crucial in achieving the best results.
While on a sublimation printer, which uses controlled heat for printing, the print density and quality are already made possible from the printer’s sublimation process.
Also, note that not all printers can print on a particular paper type. Another good point is to stick with a paper that matches your printer brand and specifications.
It is always best to do good research before buying your photo paper. If you are also still planning to get a printer, choose one that can accommodate various paper types, even thick canvas types.
Getting the Right Photo Paper
Many amateur photographers make the mistake of not paying proper attention to the type of photo paper they purchase. So despite their brilliance and talent in this field, they often get bad prints. Realizing the importance of getting the right photo paper has been so crucial in their craft. Below are some helpful tips that will help you buy the right photo paper.
1. Look at the surface finish.
There are different types of inkjet photo paper for printer and the popular ones include:
· Matte. Used for minimizing shine. Perfect to use if you plan to display your photos behind glass material or frame.
· Satin / Semi-Glossy. Sometimes referred to as lustre, and is halfway between gloss and matte. This sheen paper provides a full-color capability.
· Glossy. Add shimmer and natural shine to your photos. Colors are made more vibrant, rich and images appear brighter and clearer too.
· Canvas. An excellent paper choice to print painting-like images. It is also a good choice for giving black and white photos a unique finish.
2. Think of the print’s longevity.
You would surely like your photos not to fade, or at least not too quickly. Know that longevity does not only depend on the ink, but also the paper used.
Yellowing on the edges is another thing that you would like to avoid. To do this, look for photo papers that are not whitened by artificial whiteners. Remember to pay attention to the type of paper to be used as well as the printing recommendation settings.
3. Cost — Can you go for generic types of photo paper?
Some say most of us make the common mistake of going for the inexpensive ones. But the truth is, whether you’ve purchase the generic or genuine photo paper brand, you‘ll still get the same quality as you want it to be. Isn’t it nice to have the option of having good photo printing quality while saving money?
The chances of making a mistake are lower if you go for photo papers that have already been tested. The type of photo paper used is one crucial factor for getting the best output. Thus, it is also imperative to buy photo papers of the best quality.
Final Thoughts
Photography has become more than a hobby to many. Beginners, especially, seem to be challenged with many questions on how to make their images come to life. Yet, to come up with outstanding photos, sound research, skill, and experimentation is needed.
While enhancing software can also be a great tool to achieve excellent images for printing, a quality output can only be achieved with the right paper. Thus, in the end, the key to getting the best printing results is still a good printer-and-paper combination.
So, if you want to find your way into galleries and creating your exhibit of art, you need to strive for excellence. We believe that excellence begins with quality print outputs.
Thanks for reading! Leave a comment if you have any questions. Looking to save money on your printing projects? Check out www.compandsave.com for some great deals on printer ink and accessories! Remember to follow our blog for more interesting printing related tips and guides.
About the Author
Sheena Jacutin is the Customer Service Manager at Compandsave.com Inc. CompAndSave is a large eCommerce retailer of print and office supply products in the United States and Canada. With over 8 years of experience working in the printer ink industry, her articles can be quite helpful to those wanting to learn more about getting the best outcome from your printing projects. A proud wife and mother of two, Sheena understands the value of DIY and is here to shine light on the best tips and tricks when it comes to printing the best photos, creating stickers for scrap booking and much more!
