Choosing the Right Paper for Printing Your Artwork: A Comprehensive Guide

You’ve found the perfect piece of digital art, and now you’re ready to bring it to life as a beautiful print. But with so many paper options available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. The type of paper you select significantly impacts the final look, feel, and longevity of your print. This guide will walk you through the key factors to consider when choosing paper for printing your artwork, helping you make an informed decision that best showcases your chosen design.

Understanding Paper Characteristics

Before we dive into specific paper types, let’s understand some key characteristics that differentiate them:

• Weight (gsm or lbs): Paper weight refers to the thickness and sturdiness of the paper. It’s measured in grams per square meter (gsm) or pounds (lbs). Higher weight generally means thicker, more durable paper.
  • gsm: grams per square meter, is the most accurate.
  • lbs: pounds, is based on the weight of 500 sheets of a specific “basis size” (which varies depending on the paper type).
• Finish (Matte, Glossy, Luster, etc.): The finish describes the surface texture and reflectivity of the paper.
• Texture: Some papers have a noticeable texture (e.g., watercolor paper), while others are smooth.
• Brightness and Whiteness: This refers to how much light the paper reflects and the shade of white. Brighter paper can make colors pop, while warmer whites can give a softer feel.
• Archival Quality (Acid-Free, Lignin-Free): Archival papers are designed to resist yellowing and deterioration over time. This is crucial for prints you want to last for many years.

Common Paper Types for Art Prints

Here’s a breakdown of the most common paper types used for printing artwork, along with their pros, cons, and recommended uses:

1. Matte Paper

• Description: A non-reflective, smooth surface that minimizes glare.
• Pros:
  • Excellent for reducing glare, making it ideal for viewing under bright lights.
  • Produces soft, muted colors and a classic, understated look.
  • Good for text-heavy designs, as text is easy to read on a matte surface.
  • Less prone to showing fingerprints.
• Cons:
  • Colors may appear less vibrant than on glossy or luster paper.
  • Can sometimes make images look slightly “flat.”
• Best For: Illustrations, text-based designs, artwork with subtle colors, vintage-style prints, prints that will be displayed in brightly lit rooms.
• Weight: Typically 170gsm and heavier

2. Glossy Paper

• Description: A highly reflective, shiny surface that makes colors pop.
• Pros:
  • Produces vibrant, saturated colors and sharp details.
  • Ideal for photographs and artwork with bold, bright colors.
• Cons:
  • Highly reflective, which can cause glare and make it difficult to view the print from certain angles.
  • Shows fingerprints easily.
  • Not ideal for text-heavy designs, as the glare can make text harder to read.
• Best For: Photographs, vibrant illustrations, artwork with high contrast, prints that will be displayed in controlled lighting conditions.
• Weight: Typically 170gsm and heavier

3. Luster Paper (Semi-Gloss, Satin)

• Description: A semi-gloss finish that offers a balance between the vibrancy of glossy paper and the glare reduction of matte paper.
• Pros:
  • Produces vibrant colors with less glare than glossy paper.
  • Good for a wide range of artwork, including photographs and illustrations.
  • A popular all-around choice.
• Cons:
  • Can still show some glare under direct light.
  • May show fingerprints, though less than glossy paper.
• Best For: Photographs, illustrations, general-purpose art prints, a good compromise between matte and glossy.
• Weight: Typically 190gsm and heavier

4. Fine Art Paper (Giclée Paper)

• Description: Archival-quality papers specifically designed for fine art reproductions (often called “giclée” prints). These come in a variety of textures and finishes (matte, semi-gloss, textured).
• Pros:
  • Exceptional print quality and longevity (designed to last for many decades without fading or yellowing).
  • Made with acid-free and lignin-free materials.
  • Available in a wide range of textures and finishes to suit different artistic styles.
  • Often thicker and more durable than standard photo papers.
• Cons:
  • More expensive than standard photo papers.
• Best For: High-quality reproductions of paintings, illustrations, and photographs, prints that you want to preserve for a long time, artwork intended for framing and display.
• Weight: Typically 200gsm and heavier, often 300gsm or higher for premium options.
  
• Examples:
  • Hahnemühle Photo Rag
  • Epson Velvet Fine Art Paper
  • Canson Infinity Baryta Photographique
  • Moab Entrada Rag Natural

5. Canvas

• Description: A textured material that mimics the look and feel of a traditional painting canvas. Prints on canvas are often stretched and mounted on a wooden frame (gallery-wrapped).
• Pros:
  • Creates a unique, artistic look.
  • Durable.
  • Doesn’t require framing (if gallery-wrapped).
• Cons:
  • More expensive than paper prints.
  • The texture can sometimes soften details slightly.
• Best For: Reproductions of paintings, artwork with a painterly style, creating a gallery-like display.
• Weight: Typically expressed in ounces per square yard (oz/yd²) or gsm. A good quality canvas for art prints is usually around 300-400 gsm (or 10-12 oz/yd²).

6. Watercolor Paper

• Description: A textured paper specifically designed to absorb water and pigment, mimicking the look and feel of traditional watercolor paintings.
• Pros:
  • Creates an authentic watercolor effect.
  • Adds texture and depth to the artwork.
• Cons:
  • Not suitable for all types of artwork.
  • Can be more expensive than other options.
• Best For: Reproductions of watercolor paintings, artwork where you want to emphasize texture.
• Weight: Typically 190gsm – 310gsm. A good quality is 300gsm. Known as cold-pressed.

Choosing the Right Paper for Your Artwork

Here are some tips for choosing the best paper for your specific artwork:

• Consider style: For Canvas, Watercolor Paper choose textured, for a more modern and contemporary, choose smooth.
• Consider the Colors: If your artwork has vibrant, saturated colors, glossy or luster paper will make them pop. If your artwork has softer, more muted colors, matte paper might be a better choice.
• Consider the Level of Detail: If your artwork has fine details, a smooth paper (glossy, luster, or smooth matte) will show them off best. If your artwork is more painterly or abstract, a textured paper might add to its visual appeal.
• Consider the Intended Use: If you’re printing a photograph for a family album, standard glossy or luster paper is fine. If you’re printing a fine art reproduction for framing and display, archival fine art paper is the best choice.
• Consider Your Budget: Fine art papers are more expensive than standard photo papers.
• Consider you printer: Check the printer specifications, ensuring it can handle the weight and thickness of your paper.
• When in Doubt, Order Samples: Many online printing services offer sample packs of their different paper types. This is a great way to see and feel the papers in person before committing to a large print.

Printing Your Jesus Brushstrokes Artwork

At Jesus Brushstrokes, we provide our digital artwork in high-resolution formats (300 DPI) to ensure excellent print quality on a variety of paper types. We recommend choosing a paper that complements the style and colors of your chosen design.