Inkjet Photo Paper

Q. What should I consider when buying inkjet paper?

Different types of paper lend themselves to different quality levels and uses. There are many types of paper available, and it's important to understand the different results you'll achieve by changing your selection of paper. When comparing papers, there are four important characteristics to consider.

Brightness

This refers to how white the paper is. Whiteness will affect the colors in your prints, and a paper with extreme whiteness will make the colors in your photo appear brighter by contrast. Brighter papers provide dramatic depiction of shadows and details that allow for sharper images. Whites are radiant and highlights are bright. From highly saturated primary colors through subtle nuances, all colors are expressed in beautiful tones.

Weight

A more durable and heavyweight paper has the look and feel of a real photograph. Also, the heavier the paper, the more it allows for excessive handling. Weight differs depending on the type of paper, so be sure to look for the weight on the package, measured in g/m2 or mils. To get photographic quality prints you need to use a heavy weight "photo" inkjet paper weighing >230 g/m2.

Base 

This is the actual makeup of the paper. The base affects the tactile qualities of your print, and a more absorbent base affects color vibrancy and saturation, as well as sharpness of details in the image. Konica Minolta's resin-coated base structure is the same as that used for traditional silver halide photographs. It's what gives your images a real photographic look and feel. Unlike plain copy paper, a resin coated base paper allows your images to dry instantly and your images won't ripple if they get wet. Not only are your images resistant to tears and kinks, but they will also keep their glossy appearance since the ink is absorbed by the polymer layer and not into the paper base.

 

Surface

The surface of the paper has the most dramatic ability to change the look of a print. Glossy surfaces are very good for bright colors. Matte papers are less susceptible to fingerprints, but aren't as vibrant as glossy papers. Satin paper has a smooth, silky appearance with a gloss level less than typical glossy paper (see Paper Types for detailed descriptions of each of these papers) and are perfect for portrait reproductions and skin tones.