Which photo paper is best for inkjet printers?

Today, many are accustomed to viewing photos from the screen of a computer, phone or tablet. But there is nothing more enjoyable than leafing through a real photo album with friends. To print photos yourself, you need an inkjet color printer and special photo paper. On simple office sheets, the image blurs, becomes unclear, and the colors are distorted.

Important criteria for choosing photo paper for an inkjet printer

There are several basic criteria to consider when choosing photo paper for your inkjet printer.

Density

Color images require thicker paper than text. Density is measured in g/m2. For printing text documents, up to 120 g/m2 is usually sufficient, but for photo printing you will need a density of 150 g/m2. On paper of sufficient thickness, a photograph or illustration will be printed better. Photo paper consists of several layers - from 3 to 10; more layers provide higher print quality.

IMPORTANT! The paper thickness must be selected for a specific printer model; density restrictions are specified in the instructions for the device.

Permission

The resolution with which an image can be printed is proportional to density.Resolution is measured in dots per inch, that is, in dpi. Paper with a density of up to 150 g/m2 has a resolution of 2880 dpi, with this indicator the image will not have high clarity and detail.

With a density of 150 g/m2, the resolution will be from 5760 dpi, which will affect detail, color contrast and clarity in general. High-density paper has, accordingly, high resolution.

Compound

Photo paper contains from three to ten layers. First comes a waterproof backing that prevents ink from seeping through and prevents the sheet from being deformed. This is followed by a cellulose base into which the dyes are absorbed. And on top of the sheet there is a receiving layer. These are the main three layers, but depending on the type of photo paper and its density there are more layers.

Nature of the coating

There are three main categories based on the type of coating:

• matte;
• glossy, semi-glossy and super-glossy;
• with a microporous and gel layer, in some cases covered with a glossy coating for protection.

REFERENCE! Designations of paper types: glossy-Glossy, matte-Matte, super-glossy-Super-Glossy, semi-gloss-Semi-Glossy.

Matte finishes have both strengths and weaknesses. Pros: they do not show glare in the sun, the top layer is resistant to minor damage, and fingerprints do not remain on it. The disadvantages include fading when exposed to light for a long time. Therefore, it is better to immediately laminate photographs with a matte finish or place them in a photo frame.

Photo paper with a glossy finish is thicker than matte. The advantages of glossy paper are resistant to moisture and fading. The picture on this type of paper is more contrasting and richer in color.The disadvantages include: the instability of the top layer to damage and the fact that fingerprints are highly visible on it. In addition, the glossy surface catches glare from light sources, which somewhat interferes with viewing an image or photograph.

Super glossy paper compares favorably with other types. Printed images are more vibrant.

Size

Sheets for printing must be selected according to size depending on the technical capabilities of the inkjet printer. Commonly used formats are A6 (10x15 cm), A5 (15x21 cm) and standard A4 sheet format. Professional printers also use A3 sheets (30x42 cm). The paper is also produced in special rolls.

Many modern printers support any custom size, which can be set in the settings. And you can cut out the appropriate size from an A4 sheet yourself and start printing.

ATTENTION! Before you start printing on sheets of a particular size, make sure that your printer supports the format you are printing on. And read the instructions carefully. Improper use of the printer can lead to unexpected consequences.

Which photo paper is best for inkjet printers?

Many office equipment manufacturers recommend using only original consumables (paper, ink) for inkjet printers. Each manufacturer produces consumables so that they fit together perfectly. If you use original ink and paper, the quality of the printed photographs will be a level higher than the quality of photographs for which other consumables were used.

Original paper, of course, costs more and not everyone wants to spend money on it.There are many manufacturers that produce fairly high-quality photo paper. And amateur photographs come out well on it too. Among the leading manufacturers, Lomond paper stands out for its high quality paper. The line is represented by glossy, matte and even designer paper from the Art series.

Of the cheaper manufacturers, Colorway, Barva, and BBM stand out for their quality products. Of course, for professional photographs it is better to use paper from the same manufacturer as the printer, but for amateur printing, paper from the above brands that have proven themselves will be sufficient.