Matt or Gloss?

Overread

hmm I recognise this place! And some of you!
Staff member
Supporting Member
Joined
May 1, 2008
Messages
25,414
Reaction score
4,998
Location
UK - England
Website
www.deviantart.com
Can others edit my Photos
Photos OK to edit
Trying to work out which is the best type of print to order - matt or gloss. So far gloss to me suffers from "sticky fingers" whilst gloss doesn't, which suggests that matt is the way to go for something that won't be in a frame or album.
However are there any other points to consider - does one show details better than the other? And also does print size have an effect - is it better to have one type at a larger (say A3 poster) size and the other at smaller (a4 ish) sizes?
I do gather that there is an aspect of personal preference to this, but still which ones are people choosing and why?
 
I personally like a good matte paper over glossy for a lot of things, but I think that 4x6 prints that get passed around or put in a cheap album can look pretty good in gloss.

I really like what some labs call 'Luster' paper. It's sort of like a cross between matte & glossy.
 
With gloss paper I don’t like the polished look that you sometimes get with white, light tones/colors and blow out areas, it can be especially bad with B&W[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
 
Lustre or pearl if it's from a 1 hour joint, if I'm printing myself, I like Hahnemuhle Photo Rag.
 
Matte 100%. I don't like seeing a reflection of my ugly mug when I'm trying to look at a photograph, and I don't like greasy fingermarks!
 
If someone hands me a stack of 4x6 photos to look at that are on glossy paper, just about every time I find myself having to move or turn the photos in my hand in a way that the lights aren't reflecting on the gloss print.

I prefer matte.

That is just for looking at a photo that someone hands me. As for something hanging on the wall, I don't know. It is stationary and I guess it would be dependant on how the room's lights reflect on it compared to where you would normally stand to view it.
 
Boah, paper is a long conversation.

GLOSSY for the grandparents and in-laws (all the non-creative work) because it has higher contrast and and represents saturation better.

Glossy will also work for HDR shots that are printed and alu-mounted behind the C-Bond plexiglass that is really popular. A great Hannukah gift idea.

There are a number of Hahnemühle papers, but I prefer their Satin for my creative work. Enough gloss to bring out contrast, and the shine to give it a silver sense under the whites, but a matte feeling to finish off the dark tones.

For highly matte papers, try Hahnemühle's Bamboo rag, but do a test print. The paper absorbs the ink a little deeply, which plays hell on your sharpening.
 
The few that I've had printed were done on Matte over Glossy as I prefer the non reflective look
 
Lustre for most, matte for some and recently, metallic for the absolutely insane high contrast HDR and BW shots. :) Next month I try canvas again. Basically, whatever I think the shot would look best to me on.
 
Matte all the time. I think the look of the pictures looks better when it's not shining in my face.

~Michael~
 

Most reactions

New Topics

Back
Top