Inkjet Photo Paper: Selecting The Best Quality



Posted: Saturday, July 22, 2006

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There is an overwhelming variety of photo papers on the market today. The main topic in this article is concentrating on selecting the best photo paper for your inkjet printer. Here are some pointers, especially if you are a beginner like me.

Inkjet Photo Paper should not "bleed-through", or in other words, not allow you to see the ink or image on the other side of the paper. A higher opacity of 94 to 97 is what you are looking for.

It is best to look for a photo paper with a high degree of brightness. How bright, or more precisely, how white? The best way to tell, is to compare two or three different papers side by side, and pick the paper that is more white than the others.

Photo Paper comes in a range of 4.3 mil to 10.4 mil. This is the thickness, or "caliper" of the paper. The heavier or larger numbered mil is preferred, as it will be able to accomodate a greater ink coverage for your photos. Certainly, you want the best quality for your keepsake photos!

If you want your printed photographs to have the feel and the look of photographic prints, pick the "gloss finish" or "glossy" paper. The package may tell you if it is high gloss, gloss, soft gloss or semi gloss. This enables you to decide how "shiney" you want your pictures.

It is also possible to go to a matte finish if a soft or non-reflective result is preffered. The matte finish photo papers are specially formulated for photos, and are thicker, and in most cases printable on both sides. They are not the same as regular inkjet finish papers.

I am amazed with the continuous improvements and changes in computer technology today. That being said, I can't recommend a particular inkjet printer, or even a good quality digital camera. But, photos are something people keep, and possibly cherish. Memories are captured and preserved in these special pictures, and they deserve great quality photo paper.


Tom Watson is the owner of “In Digital Photography", a digital photography website promoting the digital era. This is a growing website with tips, advice and resources on digital photography and products. Tom encourages visits to his site at http://www.indigitalphotography.com


Tom Watson is the owner of Black Iron Junction. He is introducing a unique line of scented soy votive candles! These votives have lead-free natural cotton wicks, natural soy wax and are enhanced with essential oils…an eco-friendly product. Visit here today http://www.blackironjunction.com/site/1623467/page/892641










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