If you want to present your photographs in a professional manner, investing in the best picture paper is essential. After all, there’s no need spending all that time and energy taking a beautiful photo only to have it printed poorly. However, it might be challenging to choose the ideal paper for your needs given the wide variety of brands and varieties available.
We’ve already completed the task for you as a service. The very best picture paper currently available is listed below. Our essay is broken into four sections to showcase our four favorite manufacturers: Hahnemühle, Canon, Epson, and
Read our section on How to choose the best photo paper first if you’re absolutely unsure of what you’re searching for. After purchasing your photo paper, be sure to read our advice to the best printer ink as well.
Contents
- List of The Top Best Photo Papers for Inkjet Printers in 2023 on Amazon.com
- 1. PT-101, Canon Photo Paper Pro Plat inum
- 2. Canon Photo Paper Pro Luster LU-101
- 3. Canon Premium Matte Photo Paper PM-101
- 4. Premium Photo Paper from Epson
- 5. Semi-Gloss Epson Premium Photo Paper
- 6. Matte Epson Ultra Premium Presentation Paper
- 7. Hahnemühle Photo Rag Baryta
- 8. German Etching by Hahnemühle
- 9. Bamboo from Hahnemühle
- 10. Canson Infinity ARCHES 88
- 11. Canson Infinity Rag Photographique 310gsm
- 12. Infinity Platine Fibre Rag from Canson, 310gsm
List of The Top Best Photo Papers for Inkjet Printers in 2023 on Amazon.com
1. PT-101, Canon Photo Paper Pro Plat inum
The best option for performance and price is Canon‘s Photo Paper Plus Glossy II PP-201 for those printing with a standard 5-ink PIXMA multi-function document/photo printer. It is a 265gsm glossy picture paper that is a respectable weight and has a lovely high-gloss appearance.
But Pro Platinum is the superior choice for the best outcomes, especially if you’re utilizing a more unusual printer. Although more expensive, it is of higher quality and weight (300gsm). It boasts exceptional brightness, permits exquisite color reproduction, and is extremely fade-resistant as Canon‘s top-tier glossy paper.
2. Canon Photo Paper Pro Luster LU-101
Since the days when we processed our rolls of 35mm film on the high street, people have argued over whether a glossy or lustrous finish is preferable. Although luster paper isn’t quite as bright as glossy paper, it still has advantages over that material in terms of decreasing glare from strong light sources reflecting off the surface and is preferable for handling if you’re passing prints about because it’s more stain-resistant.
The Photo Paper Pro Luster from Canon is a high-end paper with a lovely feel and look that produces fantastic results. It costs as much as other Canon “Pro” papers do, but if you’re willing to spend a bit less, consider Canon’s Photo Paper Plus Semi-gloss SG-201, which has a nice satin feel.
3. Canon Premium Matte Photo Paper PM-101
This is Canon’s best matte picture paper, and it comes in a wide range of sizes up to A2/17×22-inch. In contrast to glossy, semi-gloss, and lustre, there is no surface reflection. Rich blacks and deep hues can look really dramatic. It performs admirably with pigment-based printers like the imagePROGRAF PRO-300 and PRO-1000, which use matte black inks, and is even better with Canon dye-based printers up to and including the PIXMA PRO-200.
The MP-101 Matte Photo Paper works well and is significantly less expensive for use on more widely used PIXMA multi-function document/photo printers. Additionally, it is lighter in weight, making it simpler to utilize for artistic endeavors like card-making. There is also a double-sided MP-101D version in light of this.
4. Premium Photo Paper from Epson
Like Canon, Epson has a large selection of glossy papers to meet various requirements and price points. Epson Value Glossy, Epson Photo Paper Glossy, Epson Premium Photo Paper Glossy, and Epson Ultra Photo Paper Glossy are the most expensive options. The Premium Glossy paper offers the best balance of exceptional performance and cost-effectiveness when used with Epson’s six-ink dye-based photo inkjet printers.
The high-gloss surface is fantastic, and color rendition is amazing. The range-topping Ultra Glossy paper is only really worthwhile upgrading to if you like the heavier 300gsm paper weight over the 265gsm of the Premium paper. The Premium paper also has the benefit of being offered in a variety of roll options, making it perfect for use with Epson’s larger-format printers that come with optional or built-in roll feeders.
5. Semi-Gloss Epson Premium Photo Paper
Inconveniently hanging on the wall, fully glossy paper might detract from the image if powerful light sources reflect off of it. Although luster sheets are frequently used, not everyone enjoys a textured surface.
With a glare-resistant but “cockle-free” texture that finds a good balance, this semi-gloss premium photo paper is ideal for printing exhibition-quality photos. It allows rich color saturation, deep blacks, and superb resolution for retaining ultra-fine detail.
Both Epson’s dye-based printers and its higher-end pigment-based photo printers, such the SureColor P700 and P900, operate admirably with the paper, albeit subtle bronzeing may be visible with pigment inks. There are numerous roll possibilities as well as a range of cut-sheet sizes.
6. Matte Epson Ultra Premium Presentation Paper
In Europe and the United States, Epson sells two matte photo papers under the names Archival Matte Paper and Ultra Premium Presentation Paper Matte, respectively. Both of them have a fantastic matte finish that prevents distractions from bright lighting reflecting off the paper’s surface.
Because of their outstanding tonal range and exceptional whiteness, they are suitable for printing both color and black & white photo prints. The fact that the Archival Matte Paper is only offered in a small selection of sizes, with no A2/17×22-inch option to accommodate printers like the SureColor P900, presents a possible issue.
7. Hahnemühle Photo Rag Baryta
Hahnemühle has been producing high-quality paper since 1584, situated in the same location in Germany the entire time to take use of its excellent and reliable natural water supply. One of the company’s best-selling photo papers, Photo Rag Baryta, is part of the Digital FineArt Glossy line-up. The selection of Hahnemühle FineArt media is quite enormous, and the Glossy category itself is huge, with options in metallic, pearl, and satin. The Photo Rag Baryta has a gorgeous natural whiteness and is made entirely of cotton fibers. The very brilliant color rendition, exceptional clarity, and extremely deep blacks are made possible by the smooth, glossy inkjet coating, which is great for really punchy output.
8. German Etching by Hahnemühle
Digital FineArt material from Hahnemühle is divided into a number of categories, including matte smooth, matte textured, glossy, and canvas. A terrific all-arounder from the matte textured line is German Etching. The paper has a delightful tactile feel and a special surface texture with a felt structure that creates a truly three-dimensional look for photo prints since it is authentic mould-made paper, which is based on a traditional and now very rare process. It has a wonderfully solid, high-quality feel because to its 310gsm density. The high matte inkjet finish guarantees vibrant color and extremely deep blacks.
9. Bamboo from Hahnemühle
The “Natural Line” of papers is a brand-new addition to Hahnemühle’s Digital FineArt range. There are currently three options: bamboo, hemp, and agave. As a result, each of these sheets is made from plant-based cellulose, which was chosen since it grows quickly, uses minimal water, and doesn’t require pesticides. As a result, the raw material develops swiftly and spontaneously, is very sustainable, and is extremely environmentally benign.
An excellent example is bamboo paper, which is made primarily of bamboo fibers (90%) and cotton (1%), or cotton. It offers a pleasingly warm and natural white that is excellent for printing black and white photographs as well as images with warm tones. It has a matte finish and a deliciously soft felt touch.
10. Canson Infinity ARCHES 88
Canson has a longstanding reputation for producing superior fine art papers. With the acquisition of ARCHES, a master papermaker since 1492 and the only paper mill in France that produces all of its papers using a classic cylinder mould process, it has more recently garnered additional reputation.
88, BFK Rives Pure White, BFK Rives White, and Aquarelle Rag are currently available options in the Canson Infinity ARCHES line-up. The 88 has an incredibly smooth matte texture and is constructed completely of cotton fibers. It has great preservation properties and is absolutely devoid of any optical brighteners, just like all of the other high art papers in our guide. The quality of photo prints is also excellent, with natural whites, deep blacks, and excellent tonal range.
11. Canson Infinity Rag Photographique 310gsm
Rag Photographique from the Canson Infinity line-up is one of the greatest matte papers, which is why many photographers like it for printing. There are two different densities, cut sheet and roll options, as well as a double-sided “Duo” version, all of which are available.
It is made of cotton fibers, but it also contains extra natural minerals to give it a tone of extraordinarily smooth white. Because it was created to meet museum regulations and the needs of the larger digital fine art industry, it is also very durable. The paper has a great velvety smoothness to it and produces excellent photo print quality with especially deep blacks.
12. Infinity Platine Fibre Rag from Canson, 310gsm
This lustre photo paper’s foundation is constructed entirely of cotton fibers, but it also has a microporous top coating that gives it a lustrous appearance. As a result, it is based on a paper that was a staple in the original Platinum/Platine traditional photography market for many years for printing in a darkroom.
Platine Fibre Rag for “digital darkrooms” has the same appearance and texture as F-Type Baryta Fibre paper. It offers an excellent tonal range from incredibly deep blacks to dazzling whites, making it perfect for both color and black & white photo printing.
