Canon A4 Pro Luster Photo Paper (Pack of 20), White

Product Information

A glossy photo finish works well on photographs where color vibrancy is relevant. Some examples are landscapes or children’s portraits. Lustre (often called ‘luster’ in America) is a unique finish that wedges itself neatly between glossy and matte. A name that rings a rather fancy tune, this paper is fancy in the sense that it has characteristics of both glossy and matte papers (which may sound a bit contradictory!). And you should be able to keep your eventual prints looking as nice as possible for as long as possible! Glossy prints are photos printed on matte paper with a shiny, extra layer. They have a natural shimmer and reflect as much light as possible.

Photographic paper finishes refer to how the paper appears, both with and without print. In this article, we will discuss matte, glossy and luster prints (the most common options) as well as specialty ones: pearl and metallic. Not all photo print shops use these exact terms, so to clear up confusion, we will also include other names you might encounter in each section. A printed image in a glossy finish is also a better choice if you want to keep sharpness or fine details. Texture - Specifically refers to the surface of the paper; papers can be completely smooth or have a textured surface. Professional photographers often feel that printing their own images enables them to show their photos in the way they want them to be seen, rather than being at the mercy of random and possibly badly adjusted monitor screens, tablets and even smartphones, owned by their clients. What are the different types of photo paper? There is no doubt why it is a favorite of photographers. Lustre photos have vivid colors, sharp details, and rich color saturation.

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Now that you’ve finished this article, you should be able to comfortably choose the best photo printing paper types for your needs. Note: While the terms provided below are the most common, the coatings aren’t standardized and one company’s “matte” may be very different from another’s. Also, some photo book companies will use different terms but mean the same thing. Matte Metallic printing gives an almost 3D appearance in person. They have a shiny surface that does not produce the same level of glare as glossy prints, but can be susceptible to fingerprints. This means they can be positioned near windows or other light sources, while still remaining viewable. Compatible with any inkjet printer, Arctic Polar Luster fits an important niche for professional photographers. Increasingly, pros and enthusiasts require a high-end photo feel product that combines quality and consistent usability. Unlike many of the new boutique photo papers flooding the market, this Luster will feed consistently, withstand handling, show minimal fingerprinting, and offer cost savings. In general, you can determine the difference between different photographic paper finishes across the following dimensions:Second, make sure to use the most accurate possible color profile. This should take into account both the printer and the paper you’re using. There are plenty of things to consider when choosing between the two finishes. So let’s dive right in. What’s a Lustre Photo Finish? Most paper works in most printers. But if you get paper that matches the brand of the printer, you’ll have an easier time doing color management. Manufacturers will often have color profiles for their own printer-paper combinations, which means that you’ll be able to accurately prepare images for print without any headache (or need to have a custom profile done). Deep Matte goes one step further away from gloss. It’s the gentlest, most muted finish available on photo paper. The colors come out natural and true, yet soft. The type of photo finish to print with is a frequent debate among professional photographers and hobbyists. The answer, in our opinion, depends on how you will use or display the photos. Will you frame photographs? Or will you place them in a photo album?

If your photos will be handled frequently, then lustre prints are clearly the best option as they aren’t as prone to fingerprint marks. However, if your photos will sit safely in a photo album, then vibrant glossy prints may be the better choice. E-surface paper — also called luster, satin, pearl, and sometimes semi-gloss — is a premium finish on heavier paper. It’s normally the number one choice for photographers. It boasts accurate color, realistic saturation, excellent neutral flesh reproduction, and great intensity. E-surface paper offers brighter blues, cyans, purples, and reds with a finger-resistant finish.Matte finish is durable and non-reflective. This photo finish is soft and texturized. It does not show fingerprints and smudges like luster photo paper. This makes it perfect for being frequently handled. A great example of matte photo paper is Kodak’s matte photo paper (8.5×11″). Having more options when selecting photo paper is great, but it can also get confusing. Here’s how to select the right paper based on the photo you plan to print and display. E-surface paper Lustre is a textured paper, if you turn it to its side and look very closely (maybe even with a magnifying glass), you should be able to see what look like little “bubbles”. These little “bubbles” create a texture that can pull into the matte direction. Yet these prints are still smooth enough to be a little bit reflective. Complicated, I know, but bear with me.

Some of the downsides include being difficult to see in bright light (because of its reflectiveness) and its tendency to collect fingerprints. Arctic Luster features a deep luster finish which offers the perfect balance between deeply saturated color and minimized gloss reflectivity. If you use pigment inks, this is especially helpful and will greatly reduce gloss differential and bronzing. When comparing luster vs metallic, the prints will be very similar, although the metallic prints are likely to be more glossy or have a ‘shine’ to the colors, while the luster prints are closer to matte.

Also, keep in mind where you are planning on placing the prints. Glossy photos will be hard to view if placed in a bright room. In that case, lustre or matte papers are the best options. Will the colors match perfectly, even with a great profile? No. That’s why it’s often a good idea to make soft proofs, hard proofs, or both. But a color profile is a key part of creating consistent, accurate prints.) Each photo paper manufacturer uses different specifications to produce papers unique to them. A Kodak Endura Luster will have different surface texture, brightness and other attributes when compared to lusters from other manufactures such as Fuji, Red River Paper or Epson. Additionally, some papers are chemically activated photographic paper and others are inkjet specific. There are numerous papers that blend the characteristics discussed above, as well as fine art papers that are made with cotton fiber (cotton rag). Manufacturers such as Canson and Epson produce fine art papers that all offer unique traits.