Posted by Kah Kit Yoong on October 11, 2006 at 11:28 AM
Recently I have been becoming a bit more ambitious with my photography. I have entered some competitions and am looking to sell some large prints. Is there a general preference for either matt or gloss prints for these purposes?
In my experience there is no general preference. It's strictly personal.
In the absence of specific preferences I usually go with Fuji Crystal Archive matte and so far have had no complaints.
Also note that "matte" is a bit ambiguous. It can refer to textured RC surfaces or uncoated rag papers.
Guy
Posted by Frank Winters on October 11, 2006 at 1:29 PM
In my experience most people seem to like a true matte finish -- in other words a finish with no gloss or glare.
I sell my prints and only use matte.
But as Guy says I use matte because I think my stuff looks best on matte paper (I use Epson Velvet Fine Art paper). To me colors are deeper and the whole print looks richer on matte paper. But then I've always used it going back to B&W prints from negatives.
Should have added that my personal preference is non-RC rag paper and I try to suggest it to buyers who are not certain. So far it's been well received.
Guy
Posted by Dan Borzynski on October 12, 2006 at 10:12 AM
For personal use, which usually means rotating three a week through my cube, I have a preference for glossy, or currently, Epson's premium luster paper. Handholding, the glossy paper prints appear far more impressive.
For print sales, definitely a matte paper. Two reasons: I am assuming that these will be displayed under glass. Outgassing from the inks on my printer (I am using the Epson Ultrachrome inks) will eventually leave a haze on the glass. Yes, I am familar with various techniques to reduce this, but I have never seen them work to a level I am comfortable with. Second, the matte paper does not give a second reflection like the glossy papers do. The color and tones of the matte papers seem to be enhanced under glass.
I have seen both for sale, and have sold both. In the end, it is personal taste.
Posted by Kah Kit Yoong on October 13, 2006 at 1:33 AM
Thank you. I personally prefer matt for my own use but I wasn't sure what to use under glass. It looks like matt is the way to go.
Discussion
5 repliesIn the absence of specific preferences I usually go with Fuji Crystal Archive matte and so far have had no complaints.
Also note that "matte" is a bit ambiguous. It can refer to textured RC surfaces or uncoated rag papers.
Guy
I sell my prints and only use matte.
But as Guy says I use matte because I think my stuff looks best on matte paper (I use Epson Velvet Fine Art paper). To me colors are deeper and the whole print looks richer on matte paper. But then I've always used it going back to B&W prints from negatives.
Frank
Guy
For print sales, definitely a matte paper. Two reasons: I am assuming that these will be displayed under glass. Outgassing from the inks on my printer (I am using the Epson Ultrachrome inks) will eventually leave a haze on the glass. Yes, I am familar with various techniques to reduce this, but I have never seen them work to a level I am comfortable with. Second, the matte paper does not give a second reflection like the glossy papers do. The color and tones of the matte papers seem to be enhanced under glass.
I have seen both for sale, and have sold both. In the end, it is personal taste.