When ordering photo prints, sooner or later the question arises about the type of paper and print quality. Most photo labs offer at least two options - standard prints and premium prints. The difference between them is not just about price. It is primarily about the paper, colour saturation, and durability of the print itself, and these factors matter especially when the photos are meant to last for years.
Standard prints - when they are enough
Standard prints are a good choice in many everyday situations. They work perfectly when you need a large number of photos, for example from a holiday or a family gathering, and when an affordable price matters. Standard paper provides good colour reproduction and sufficient sharpness for typical formats such as 10x15 cm or 13x18 cm. For photos placed in desk frames or in a classic family album, standard prints will be fully satisfying. There is no reason to overpay if the photos are simply meant to document everyday moments in good quality.
Premium prints - when it is worth paying more
However, there are situations where the difference between standard and premium becomes clearly noticeable. Premium prints are printed on thicker photographic paper with a better structure, which translates into deeper blacks, more saturated colours, and finer details. It is worth ordering such prints above all when a photo holds special significance - a portrait of a loved one, a wedding photograph, a landscape you want to frame and hang on the wall. Thicker paper is also more resistant to bending and mechanical damage, so the photos retain their original appearance for longer.
The final choice depends on what the photos are for and what role they are meant to play. For many people, the best solution is to combine both options - everyday photos in the standard version and the truly special ones in premium. This way, you can plan your budget wisely without sacrificing quality where it matters most. It is simply worth going through your photos and thinking about which ones deserve something more.
