Most professionals who use photo paper lean in this direction. And the textured, fine-art look of matte prints makes them ideal for art shows and photo exhibits. While glossy prints do look a bit more vivid, the glossy coating causes glare. In general, I recommend you go with matte – unless you have a specific reason to choose glossy. Glossy prints are brighter and more reflective, whereas matte prints emphasize texture and offer a more subdued look. Glossy and matte are the two main types of photo paper prints. Now, if you decide to go with paper prints, you have another big question to ask yourself: You don’t mind doing some extra work to hang the prints.You’re looking to make lots of smaller (e.g., 5×7 or 8×10) prints.You’re looking for a more traditional, classic aesthetic.But with photo paper, you can make countless smaller prints for cheap (and you can add frames for cheap, too, if they’re small). With canvas, metal, or acrylic, this would get pricey, fast, especially if you plan to make a lot of them. This can add up, especially if you’re working with a large batch of prints.Īnd going with paper makes a lot of sense if you’re looking to make smaller prints – for a photo album, a scrapbook, an art project, or even to stand up on your office desk.

Once you have the print in hand, you generally have to mount it, mat it, and frame it – all of which require time and effort. Paper prints require some work before they can be displayed. Unfortunately, the flexibility of a paper print is also its main downside: And you can even change it over time so that a modern-looking print becomes something more subdued. You can pick a sleek frame, a quirky frame, or a more traditional frame. While paper prints may not offer the same sleek, modern look of acrylic or metal, you do have a lot of flexibility when it comes to aesthetic. Paper printing is used by artists all over the world. It generally involves printing your images onto archival-quality paper (for longevity). Paper is the most traditional photo printing method. Plus, they may save you money in the long run, especially since they don’t require frames or mats (unlike traditional prints). You can just hang it on your wall.Ĭanvas prints are very durable, which makes them perfect for higher-humidity environments, such as bathrooms.Īnd while canvas prints aren’t cheap, they’re not the most expensive of the printing options. Once you’ve created a canvas print, you’re basically set you don’t need a frame. One of the wonderful things about canvas is that it requires no accessories for display. It works great in just about every situation: galleries, art shows, and interior design.Ĭanvas produces slightly more textured prints, which is excellent for creating a more traditional look. The canvas is then wrapped around a frame.Ĭanvas gives your photos a more subdued, stately look. To help you decide, I’ve prepared a brief rundown of each printing material: Canvas PrintsĬanvas prints involve printing your images on canvas: a textured material used in traditional art (e.g., oil paintings). The key is to think about how you’d like to use your prints, and go from there. None is obviously better than the others.

Now, each of these printing mediums comes with its own pros and cons. And you can’t participate if you don’t have prints! One of the ways photographers make money is through galleries and art shows. If you’re looking to make money as a photographer, then printing your photos can make a lot of sense. Printing Your Photos Allows You to Display Work at Galleries and Art Shows Because you’ll always have them – in physical form! 3. Once you’ve printed your photos, you don’t have to worry about losing them. Prints can last for decades – even centuries. Because prints are a permanent copy of your hard work. Storage drives get lost.Īnd then your precious photos, the ones that took you years to create, are gone – in a heartbeat. Printing Your Photos Helps Keep a More Permanent RecordĮlectronics fail. You can gaze at your printed photos and be proud of them. If you print your photos, you can hang them wherever you like – and they’ll always be there. Printing allows you to appreciate your work more fully.

Final print photography