Matte, gloss or semi

These are only guidelines; every eye, every location, every light situation varies. Most important of all is your personal preference. Your personal photographic wall art should look beautiful irrespective of the paper you choose.

1. What are gloss prints?

   • Premium gloss poster print paper provides a beautiful, crisp, high gloss finish.
   • A gloss finish is generally suitable for posters that are going to hang directly on a wall.
   • Gloss finish posters are very attractive for many images where high reflectivity enhances the image.

2. What is semi-gloss poster paper?

   • Semi-gloss poster paper has been carefully designed to provide a smooth, clear photographic image whilst minimising reflectivity.
   • Semi-gloss (lustre) has the advantage of being appropriate for posters that are intended either for framing behind glass/acrylic or placed on a wall in a space where you prefer less reflectivity.
   • For photos with large areas of dark colour, it is generally recommended to choose semi-gloss in order bring out the best in an image without the distraction of intense reflectivity.

3. What are matte finish photo posters?

   • For those preferring a matte finish, enhanced matte photo paper delivers a crisp result with high resolution.
   • High resolution landscape photography, photographs of artwork and paintings, graphic art and text rich designs often benefit from a matte finish.
   • Matte prints are also suitable for images that are intended for framing behind glass or acrylic glass.

Does light and location affect paper choice?

The main element to consider when choosing a paper type is light. It is inadvisable to choose gloss prints in a brightly lit office as the shine will make the poster difficult to view. A more suitable finish in a brightly lit area would be a semi-gloss poster. This is because semi-gloss poster paper has enough reflectivity to enhance the look of your photo whilst allowing the image to be easily viewed. However, posters in a bedroom or hallway may benefit from a gloss prints in order to make the most of available light.

My photo is being framed, what is the best finish?

If your poster is being framed, we recommend a semi-gloss poster print or matte finish photo poster. This is because acrylic glass and glass both have their own reflectivity. A lustre poster and matte finish photo poster are equally suitable for framing. It's wise to note that matte paper is a bit like Marmite, you love it or hate it. However, matte paper generally comes into its own once behind glass or acrylic glass. If you are unsure or if you feel your photo would benefit from additional reflectivity, choose semi-gloss.