The issue of photo papers is quite a complex matter. After all, how a photo is presented depends on what paper it is printed on. So if we want to receive good quality photos, we should not only make sure that the files for printing are of good quality, but also the paper on which the photograph will be placed.
If we care about great sharpness, proper visibility of contrast and color saturation, then we need to reach for better quality paper. However, the basic types of paper are glossy and matte, on which photo printing takes place.
What is the difference between glossy and matte paper?
The first issue is taste. If we want the photo to look nice on its own, even without a frame, then glossy paper is a good choice. Of course, it has its advantages, such as giving a stronger impression of sharpness in the photo, and colors are also more visible on it. It's great for smaller prints, which is why it's used, for example, for ID photos. However, if we want to browse photos and touch them often, then fingerprints will certainly quickly appear on the prints.
On the other hand, matte paper reflects light much less, so photos in muted colors or black and white or sepia will look better on it. You can also print larger photos on it, and it's more resistant to leaving fingerprints.
Of course, there are many more types of paper on the market, so you don't have to limit yourself to just these two types when printing. There are, for example, semi-glossy, pearl, or satin papers, but when it comes to online photo developing, standard ones are most often chosen.
