Choosing Fine Art Paper for Your Prints
Paper has the power to make all the difference in the prints you create from your photos. This impact is something I witness every day. When customers visit our store, we’re equipped to offer paper recommendations tailored to their images and intended use. However, when customers order prints from their photos online via our website, making that decision can be tricky. With numerous choices available, each holds the potential to significantly influence the aesthetic of a print.
In this article, we delve into the fine art papers utilized for our pigment prints. All of our fine art papers originate from premier manufacturers and have been meticulously selected to provide a well-rounded variety of textures, finishes, and fiber content. One constant factor remains—the ink. All fine art prints are crafted by spraying archival pigment ink from a large-format inkjet printer onto the chosen material. This combination of archival ink and paper forms the foundation of our fine art prints.
For those seeking the pinnacle of print quality, consider our Premium Fine Art collection, featuring papers from Hahnemühle, a world-renowned manufacturer renowned for adhering to the highest museum and gallery standards. Color Services has earned the prestigious recognition as a Certified Print Studio by Hahnemühle, underscoring our commitment to excellence in print production. Our Standard Fine Art Prints offer an excellent balance of quality and affordability.
If you’ve never experienced printing your photos on fine art paper, it’s an endeavor worth exploring. Fine Art Prints introduce you to a whole new realm of photographic printing, characterized by a weighty, fibrous texture, vibrant color, and stunning beauty.
For size and price information for Fine Art Prints, visit our website here.
Use the following guidelines to compare the differences in our papers.
Standard Fine Art Prints
Arista 252 Photo Glossy
Glossy finish with the look and feel of traditional photographs; resin coated (RC) photo paper.
Epson 260 Photo Lustre
Luster finish with the look and feel of traditional photographs; resin coated (RC) photo paper.
PremierArt 270 Photo Rag Smooth
Matte finish, smooth textured and highly versatile; 100% cotton.
PremierArt 310 Water Color Paper
Matte finish, heavily textured watercolor paper; 100% alpha cellulose.
Premium Fine Art Prints
Hahnemühle 305 Photo Rag® Ultra Smooth
Matte finish, a very finely textured surface and extremely silky feel; 100% cotton.
Hahnemühle 308 Photo Rag® Matte
Matte finish, a lightly-defined felt structure and soft feel; 100% cotton.
Hahnemühle 310 Photo Rag® Satin
Printed areas will have a soft sheen, while unprinted areas remain matte; 100% cotton.
Hahnemühle 315 Baryta Photo Rag® Glossy
High-gloss, fine surface texture and the aesthetic of a darkroom photo paper; 100% cotton.
Hahnemühle 340 Photo Rag® Metallic
High-gloss with a sophisticated silvery-shimmering finish and unique metallic effect; 100% cotton.