What paper to print on for framing photos

[Beyond Legacy]

Hello folks,


I am planning to get some photos printed and gift them after getting it framed.


However, I dont have idea which type paper should be preferred when the photos are supposed to be framed i.e. glass will be in front of paper.
I am planning to get prints from canvera.com so I have option of Glossy, Matte and metallic prints there.


Your advice needed.. Also, any other notes while printing and framing are welcomed 

[naresh]

recently i have experimented the same photo print on matte and glossy types.


i think glossy is suitable to you than matte, because its exactly matches to your image, in case of matte is little dull !

make sure that give sufficient borders in your photo ... (Ex: If you add your signature near corners ... if you don't give borders properly it won't visible after the framing)

[Beyond Legacy]

THanxx for the info mate.

Yeah, I would be putting up borders with the help of some textured paper they use during framing. Any idea which looks better, black or white??

[dutta.debasish]

Print on matt (on Premium quality paper of course). There is a big risk with glossy & metallic prints are they stick to glass after some period due to humidity. I personally experienced this with metallic prints.
(No frame maker can makes an weather shield frame .)

Another advantage of matt prints are they are visible good from house-hold lighting condition, but glossy prints need proper angle of view to eliminate the shine.

[Image]

Print on matt (on Premium quality paper of course). There is a big risk with glossy & metallic prints are they stick to glass after some period due to humidity. I personally experienced this with metallic prints.
(No frame maker can makes an weather shield frame .)

Good frame makers put a layer of matte over the photo, so that there is no contact between the photo and the glass. I think fungus is the main enemy in hot and humid climate and I doubt fungus differentiates between matte and glossy prints. I could be wrong.

Another advantage of matt prints are they are visible good from house-hold lighting condition, but glossy prints need proper angle of view to eliminate the shine.

All my prints at home go under the Museum quality glass (even though they are expensive, I get them framed when there is a sale going on and I get decent discounts) - viewing angle does not matter at all as it tames all reflections.

[toofan]

RAM: does this means you use Glossy paper for your prints ?

[amit_hazari]

Hello folks,
I am planning to get prints from canvera.com

Have you tried zoomin? My experience with zoomin has been great so far.

[Image]

RAM: does this means you use Glossy paper for your prints ?

Depending on what looks good. I use Matte, Glossy and also Metallic.

[Image]

For prints that I sell, I use specialty papers like Ilford Silk OR Hahnemuhle William Turner etc.

[Hankosaurus]

All my prints at home go under the Museum quality glass (even though they are expensive, I get them framed when there is a sale going on and I get decent discounts) - viewing angle does not matter at all as it tames all reflections.

Is that the coated sheet glass we see in stores that do framing, like at Hobby Lobby? Expensive, but it really, really makes a difference.

I print glossy mostly. To me, the matte finishes seem a bit like flare, reducing contrast and saturation. That can be good with a high key or deliberately soft image, but if contrast and color richness are important it might be an issue for consideration.

[Image]

Henry, Even though I have no idea what brand Jo-Ann or Michaels (my vendors) use, it should work like this :

http://www.tru-vue.com/Tru-Vue/Products/museum-glass-anti-reflective/

* Reduces reflection by over 85% (to less than 1% of total light), the lowest possible reflection rating available with UV protection 
* Achieves over 97% light transmission to enhance colors, brightness and contrast levels 
* Blocks up to 99% of UV light rays 
* Meets ISO 18902 and passes ISO 18916, by providing at least 97% UV protection 
* Does not degrade or delaminate over time.  Tru Vue uses a proprietary inorganic, silica-based UV blocking coating, which is "baked" into the glass 
   producing a permanently bonded coating. 
* 2.5mm glass substrate

[Beyond Legacy]

Thanxx everyone for reply and suggestions.

However, I am still pretty much confused. I inquired and there are no premium less reflective glass available in my city for framing. They say as no demand, there is no supply.
IIRC, due to textured nature, matte reflect less light and image looks bit dull.. So, I need some special enhancement in photo before printing matte??

[dutta.debasish]

Thanxx everyone for reply and suggestions.

However, I am still pretty much confused. I inquired and there are no premium less reflective glass available in my city for framing. They say as no demand, there is no supply.
IIRC, due to textured nature, matte reflect less light and image looks bit dull.. So, I need some special enhancement in photo before printing matte??

if the image sharpness and contrast levels are good then matt is no problem... Go for highest quality paper available.
Why not try "Lustre paper"..
Lustre finish is not as shiny as glossy, but not as flat (dull) as matte finish paper. Lustre paper has a textured finish (Most portraits and wedding photos are typically printed on Lustre finish paper.). You can get that from Zoomin.

[Hankosaurus]

Hello Ashvary.

I will share a couple of thoughts...

However, I am still pretty much confused. I inquired and there are no premium less-reflective glass available in my city for framing. They say as no demand, there is no supply.

Okay, at least they know what it is. When you see it, you will observe that there is virtually no reflectance, but it will show some coloration such as you might expect to see on the face of a multicoated camera lens. It's great if you can afford it. Rich.

IIRC, due to textured nature, matte reflect less light and image looks bit dull..

Yes, in fact is is not non-reflective glass at all. Printing "matte" has a similar effect. It just reflects equally in all directions. The result is that dull, washed out, flare-like look of which you speak. It may look fine on a soft, airy, high-key image like a baby's portrait, but not so good where colors need to be rich, lines need to be crisp, and blacks need to be black.

On the other hand, printing matte or on textured paper, or putting the image behind the cheap so called non-glare glass can serve to mask minor shortfalls in image sharpness or excessive grain or noise.

So, I need some special enhancement in photo before printing matte??

When printing matte, perhaps you should be thinking of that soft effect as being the special enhancement.

Maybe our friends here can add some other thoughts.

[Beyond Legacy]

Thanxx for the details analysis Henry
Finally opted for matte paper option with much of Dilemma.. hope to get the best

[itsme_soumya]

i use fujifilm crystal archival paper for most of my exhibition prints. they have good reputation. i will do a glossy print and before framing will ask the binder to apply a cold lamination (mind it - cold, not hot) on the print. then will bind it without glass. try this method and you will see how grand your photos look when hung on the wall.

cheers!
soumya

[photogawker]

Can we see a picture of the final product?

i use fujifilm crystal archival paper for most of my exhibition prints. they have good reputation. i will do a glossy print and before framing will ask the binder to apply a cold lamination (mind it - cold, not hot) on the print. then will bind it without glass. try this method and you will see how grand your photos look when hung on the wall.

cheers!
soumya

[itsme_soumya]

Can we see a picture of the final product?

i use fujifilm crystal archival paper for most of my exhibition prints. they have good reputation. i will do a glossy print and before framing will ask the binder to apply a cold lamination (mind it - cold, not hot) on the print. then will bind it without glass. try this method and you will see how grand your photos look when hung on the wall.

cheers!
soumya

it's almost impossible to judge from a picture of a photo. you need to see it in person to get the idea. i am located at kolkata

cheers!
soumya

[Beyond Legacy]

@Soumya

Thanxx for the info.
Just to verify, U mean cold lamination and then no glass during framing??? I dont know know how cold lamination is done, but wont it be having only a plastic film??

[itsme_soumya]

@Soumya

Thanxx for the info.
Just to verify, U mean cold lamination and then no glass during framing??? I dont know know how cold lamination is done, but wont it be having only a plastic film??

yes you are correct. cold laminate your photo. there are different types of cold lamination available, like matte, gloss, satin etc. choose the one which goes best with the photo. if photo has bright colors, go for gloss/satin. if b&w, then i would prefer matte. after your photo is cold laminated, it's protected from any kind of damage. then bind it in a frame without glass. glass introduces reflection and reflection depends on light source. these factors change the look of your photo. hence, i prefer framing without glass.

cheers!
soumya