Posted by Kevin Trinkner on September 11, 2008 at 9:19 AM
What paper surface is prefered for mounting under glass? I've generally printed on glossy or luster, but I'm curious what people like for traditional glass framing.
Thanks for any advice
Kevin
Posted by Robert Fisher on September 11, 2008 at 9:28 AM
If you use high quality anti-reflective museum then you can put glossier paper under glass and you only have to deal with the reflective/glare properties of the paper.
Generally though, matte surface papers are, in my opinion, best for putting under glass.
Posted by Steve Sieren on September 11, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Matte and sometimes a little lustre coat.
Posted by Joyce Dumas on September 11, 2008 at 2:32 PM
I sometimes have trouble with glossy (even high-quality glossy) under glass. I prefer museum-quality matte and photo rag. I have never had any problems with specialty art papers under glass either. Hope this helps.
Posted by Pat Warfield on September 11, 2008 at 8:51 PM
Kevin,
Just don't ever place glass in contact with a photograph in a frame - it may adhere or warp with fluctuations in heat & humidity. Always use a matt or a spacer between glass & image.
To make intelligent design decisions, take a selection of photographs on various papers to a frame shop, have framer lay them out with different glass surfaces.
I don't like matte finish paper on any prints - seems rather 'dead'. Lustre finish paper is usually my choice, looks good under non-glare or clear. Glossy paper 'was' preferred for high quality reproduction prints meant for print publishing industry. Some like them for display.
Pat Warfield
Posted by Scott Linstead on September 12, 2008 at 11:19 AM
The angle at which you will get glare on a glass surface will be differnt that that of a lustre or gloss paper. This means that placing a reflective paper behind glass will produce two seperate sets of reflections with each being visible depending on your angle of view to the frame. Your best bet, as has already been recommended, is matte or photo rag paper. Now profiling your printer for those papers is a whole new exercise!
Posted by Mel Ladewig on September 12, 2008 at 6:33 PM
First off, you should print to satisfy your own tastes. If you like matte paper prints, print on matte paper. If you like rag matte paper, print on that. If you prefer gloss or luster or satin or matte textured, go with what you like.
I agree that a matte paper is best for controlling reflections when you cannot control the lighting source. However, if you can control the lighting source a glossy surface type will often provide significant advantages in a final print in both detail and dynamic range. If you will be displaying a print with gallery lighting, glossy paper is a great choice. I consider luster, semi-gloss, pearl, satin and gloss as glossy surface papers. If the print will be displayed with window lighting, consider matte paper or one of the less glossy papers, reflection control glass and museum glass as options to control the reflection.
Discussion
6 repliesWhat paper surface is prefered for mounting under glass? I've generally printed on glossy or luster, but I'm curious what people like for traditional glass framing.
Thanks for any advice
Kevin
Generally though, matte surface papers are, in my opinion, best for putting under glass.
Just don't ever place glass in contact with a photograph in a frame - it may adhere or warp with fluctuations in heat & humidity. Always use a matt or a spacer between glass & image.
To make intelligent design decisions, take a selection of photographs on various papers to a frame shop, have framer lay them out with different glass surfaces.
I don't like matte finish paper on any prints - seems rather 'dead'. Lustre finish paper is usually my choice, looks good under non-glare or clear. Glossy paper 'was' preferred for high quality reproduction prints meant for print publishing industry. Some like them for display.
Pat Warfield
I agree that a matte paper is best for controlling reflections when you cannot control the lighting source. However, if you can control the lighting source a glossy surface type will often provide significant advantages in a final print in both detail and dynamic range. If you will be displaying a print with gallery lighting, glossy paper is a great choice. I consider luster, semi-gloss, pearl, satin and gloss as glossy surface papers. If the print will be displayed with window lighting, consider matte paper or one of the less glossy papers, reflection control glass and museum glass as options to control the reflection.