Photo paper - how is it different from office paper? Read and find out!? Photographic paper - varieties, types of formats What is the difference between photographic paper.

Available on the market (see article Working with papers). Having covered almost the entire range of these specific paper products, we did not understand the main thing - we did not find out what photo paper different from regular paper. And, really, why can’t you put regular office paper into the printer and get photographic-quality prints? And what is this incomprehensible phrase “special coating”? Let's try to figure it out.

Unlike regular paper, photo paper multi-layered. Make sure that the sheet photo paper not homogeneous You can easily do it yourself - just rub a corner of it with your fingers, and it will separate into several layers. Why did manufacturers need to invent this layer cake? Then, each layer plays its role in the printing process and performs its function.

In the very center of the sheet lying in front of you is the paper layer itself. He is the only thing photo paper similar to plain paper. This layer not only plays the role of a core on which special coatings are layered on both sides, it also gives photo paper snow-white color and the density you need.

Unusual photo paper the fact that the ink during printing is not located on the paper layer. On the contrary, it must be protected from ink, as well as steam and water. This is what the two polyethylene layers on either side of it are designed for. On the reverse side of the sheet photo paper Behind the polyethylene layer there is a lower layer, thanks to which photo paper does not “wrinkle”. And a laying layer made of waterproof polymer is already attached to it.

Wet the back of the sheet with water and you will be convinced that photo paper This side is waterproof. In addition, the polymer layer contains small, rough plastic particles that prevent stacks of newly printed photographs from sticking together and allow the printer to adjust the grip photo paper and don’t make the mistake of “eating” several sheets at a time.

Above the top polyethylene layer photo paper absorbent fixed. It should absorb ink at maximum speed. There are two options for absorbent coatings: simple - works on the principle of a sponge, gel - works on the principle of a sanitary pad. Absorbs ink faster photo paper with a coating of the first type, it does not allow them to be smeared, but it also does not allow them to last long enough, since they are easily susceptible to any external influences (water, sun, oxygen, etc.).

The gel coating absorbs more slowly and dries more slowly (immediately after printing, the image is easy to smudge with your finger), but after drying photo paper With such a coating, it stores ink much longer, “freezing” it inside itself. But the most important thing is still the top layer – the reproducing layer. First of all, it determines how clearly the ink will lie and how long it will retain its unchanged appearance on paper. It is he who controls the speed and volume of ink entering the absorbent layer photo paper, clarity of lying points.

It is worth noting that all of the above applies to high-quality paper brands such as Lomond photo paper And photo paper Avery Zweckform. For flakiness and quality photo paper We cannot answer other brands.

Photography is probably one of the most amazing things in the world. After all, the photographs record not just events, they preserve for many years the memory of the warmest, joyful and pleasant moments of our lives. Thanks to the advent of digital photography, we no longer need to worry about saving frames or the hassle of developing and printing images, and the digital camera, whether it be a tiny amateur point-and-shoot camera or a professional SLR camera, has become our constant companion wherever we go. And, despite the fact that footage can be stored in huge quantities on digital media, nothing can replace the magic of a printed photograph.

Today, if you have a photo printer at home, you can print a wide variety of images yourself: from color graphs and illustrations to reproductions of paintings printed directly on canvas, and, of course, photographs - amateur and professional, in any quantity, format and quality. Inkjet printers are best suited for creating photographic images; laser printers are best for printing. However, nothing will stop you from printing business cards on an inkjet printer, or a highly artistic photograph of your favorite cat on a laser printer, if you choose the right paper.

At the time of chemical development of photographs, only a few dozen types of photographic paper were available to the average user, but now only one brand can offer up to 300 types of paper, differing in price, density, type of coating, and much more. Therefore, making a choice is not so easy.

First, let's figure out what photo paper is and what its features are.

The main function of inkjet photo paper is to quickly absorb and securely fix ink, protecting the image from external influences. That is why such paper, unlike ordinary paper, consists of different layers - receiving, fixing, protective, etc.

The number of layers determines the density, which is measured in grams per square meter. The thicker the paper, the better its quality and the higher the price. Thick photo paper, firstly, will not allow ink to bleed through from the back side, and secondly, it does not lose its shape, getting “wet” during printing.

Conventionally, photo paper can be divided into two classes based on density. Inexpensive paper with low density (90-150 g/m²) is designed to print images with a maximum resolution of 2880 dpi. It is great for making graphic materials such as booklets, leaflets, labels, memos and the like, but is practically not used for photographs. To create high-quality photographic images, you need more expensive and high-tech paper with a density of 160-300 g/m², which allows you to print pictures with a resolution of 5760 dpi.

Select the density depending on where and how you will store these photographs in the future. If carefully glued into an album or inserted into a frame under glass, you can limit yourself to paper with a density of 160-170 g/m². If you plan to take photographs with you, say, to show them to friends, you should choose thicker (and therefore reliable) paper (from 230 g/m²). To print high-quality color images on a laser printer, the paper weight must exceed 100 g/m².

Gloss, matte, satin?

The second important point that you should pay attention to when choosing photo paper is the type of coating. Basically, paper is divided into glossy and matte. There are also subtypes: super-gloss, semi-gloss (also called satin), silky-matte, and so on. Photo paper can also be double-sided - matte on one side and glossy on the other, or matte on both.

So what should you choose? Glossy papers better convey color saturation and soft tones. Due to this, gloss is often used for printing landscape and portrait photographs. A glossy coating better protects a photo from moisture, but all other damage is much more noticeable on it - scratches, fingerprints, etc. In addition, regular glossy paper is not suitable for printing with pigment ink (for this it is better to take super gloss, equipped with a special protective layer) .

Unlike glossy paper, all types of inks are suitable for matte paper. It is good to use for printing pictures, where it is more important to convey not colors and shades, but small details, for example, family or group photographs that show a lot of people. On matte photo paper, various damage and creases are less noticeable; it can be handled without any problems and even rolled into rolls.

Different types of photo paper coating:
matte, semi glossy and premium glossy

There are also various specialized types of photo paper. These include: self-adhesive, thermal transfer, textured and art paper, as well as film for advertising printing.

Self-adhesive photo paper has a special protected adhesive layer and low density. Suitable mainly for printing various promotional materials such as directional stickers, as well as for photographs that are pasted directly into an album.

Using thermal transfer paper, images are transferred to different items, such as T-shirts or mugs.

If you are planning to print a real artistic masterpiece, pay attention to textured and art paper. The first gives a very interesting effect due to embossing - in the recesses the color intensity is greater. True, you need to choose such paper with great care, since some textures may not be suitable for printing, for example, portraits or linear images. Art paper is mainly used to convey images made in various painting techniques - it resembles watercolor paper or canvas.

The quality of printed images also depends on other factors. For example, grain and whiteness affect light reflection (glare) and color fidelity. The porosity of the paper affects how the ink will be absorbed and how long the photo will last.

More, even more...

Let's talk about sizes. The choice is more than wide: from very small sheets of paper to hefty canvases used for printing artistic photographs and posters. The most common format for printing photographs is A6, that is, the familiar 10x15 centimeters. It's perfect for printing pictures for family albums, and it's supported by all printers. But the A4 format is considered the most profitable, especially in packs of 100 sheets or more. If there is no need to print such large photographs, the images can be printed two on one sheet and then cut. Textures, canvases and other special papers are produced in the same formats.

The brand of photo paper plays an important role in choosing photo paper. The fact is that, based on the manufacturer, all photographic paper can be divided into two large groups: universal paper (, Zweckform, Emtec, etc.) and original paper, produced by leading printer manufacturers (, HP). The difference between them is quality and price. Universal photo paper is more affordable, but not always of high quality. However, it is perfect for printing amateur photographs, various booklets, invitations, and leaflets. The main disadvantage is that over time the image noticeably fades, especially if it is constantly exposed to sunlight.

To print artistic photographs, it is better to use original photo paper. Thanks to its high quality and reliability, pictures printed on it will retain their original appearance for several years. Naturally, if you use only high-quality, or better yet, original ink designed for this specific printer model. In addition, to obtain the maximum effect, it is desirable that the paper matches the brand of your printer, then the quality of color rendition will be optimal. True, you will have to fork out for such paper.

It is better to store photo paper in a tight sealed bag in order to protect it from moisture and various mechanical damage. It also doesn’t hurt to protect it from direct sunlight. When printing, whenever possible, load one sheet of paper into the printer tray at a time, this way you will avoid deformation during picking.

The key to quality photography is appropriate paper and decent ink. Choosing the right photo paper is not an easy task. Here you need to take into account a large number of different nuances: density, type of coating, compatibility with various types of ink and much more.

So, what should you pay attention to when choosing photo paper?

Format

The majority of inkjet paper grades have standard size: 32.5x47.5 cm, 27.5x42.5 cm and 21.25x27.5 cm. Some manufacturers produce standard sheets of photographic formats: 27.5x35 cm, 20x25 cm and 10x15 cm.

We should not forget that most grades of paper are produced in both sheets and rolls. Such media are convenient to use in roll feed plotters and in cases where a non-standard size is needed, for example, for printing panoramic images.

Specific gravity

Typically the weight for inkjet paper is measured in grams per square meter(g/m2). The specific gravity of the carrier is only part of the required information. It is more important to know the thickness of the photo paper, which is not always related to its weight. Paper from different manufacturers with the same weight can have different thicknesses.

Color

When printing on white paper, colors are less distorted. But white color can also be different. Dazzling white looks too cold, too beige - dull and dull. Of course, this is a matter of taste. Each shade of photo paper has its own admirers and its own characteristic color.

What does paper density affect?

In addition to the features and properties described above, it is also necessary to pay attention to density parameter: it is he who determines what purposes the paper corresponds to. The higher the density, the better the quality of the print you can make. So, for example, with a density of 150 to 300 g/m2 you can get high-resolution photos (from 5760 dpi), and with a density of 130 g/m2 the media is suitable for printing with a resolution of 2880 dpi (brochures, graphics, presentations ).

For photo printing paper with a density of 180 to 230 g/m2 is suitable, for printing products It is better to use media with a density of 90 - 180 g/m2.

The higher the density of the photo paper, the more powerful the printing device's feed unit should be. This suggests that you should not buy the highest weight paper without making sure that the printer can handle it.

Interaction of photo ink and paper

Surface

The surface texture can be different: smooth glossy or bumpy matte. Printable on glossy paper best to use water-soluble or ultrachrome ink. The pigment on the glossy surface can be easily wiped off even by hand. For matte paper Water-based, sublimation and pigment inks are perfect.

Brightness

If the paper specifications indicate brightness, it is usually presented in relative units from 1 to 100. Increased brightness can be caused by the use of various optical brighteners.

It is best if the photo paper is pH neutral (such as pH 7). Acid paper is self-destructive. Preference should be given to the variety on which it is written " acid-free"It is advisable to know the exact value of the pH balance. If this information is reported in advertising, this is an excellent indicator of reliability.

Durability

The longevity of a print is the result of the interaction between photo paper and ink. So, when printed on different types of paper, the durability of photographs can be completely different. Just like the media, ink also affects the longevity of prints.

There are two most common types of photo paper: glossy and matte.

Gloss has increased density and the presence of a special glossy layer that prevents fading and washing off the ink from the surface. This is the best paper to use for photo printing and images with vibrant landscapes and soft tones. Gloss is perfect for printing images that require rich color reproduction. The main disadvantage of this type of photo paper is the insensitivity of pigment inks. Photos printed on gloss reflect glare in intense lighting.

Matte photo paper, in turn, are divided into paper, which has a density of up to 120 g/m2 and higher. For photo printing, it is better to choose media with a higher density. Looks better on matte paper highly detailed images with small details. As a rule, this type is cheaper than gloss and has increased resistance to fingerprints and scratches.

Obviously, it is impossible to determine the absolute leader here. Each type of paper is designed for specific printing tasks. For greater clarity, let’s summarize the criteria for types of paper in a table.

* For price comparison, original Epson photo paper was chosen

Conclusions

It is impossible to give a clear answer to the question “matte or glossy”. The choice of photo paper depends on what exactly will you print?.

If you need high-quality and detailed photo printing, then it’s better to stop at matte photo paper with a density of 180-230 g/m2. Do you need small printed products of a decent standard? Then it's better to choose matte media with a density from 90 to 180 g/m2.

Do you need rich colors and accurate midtones? Then glossy paper- this is what you need. Ideal for photo printing glossy media with a density of 150 - 230 g/m2. For printing printed products, a density of 90 to 150 g/m2 will be sufficient.

We should not forget that high-quality photo printing depends not only on paper and ink, but also on color profiling. INKSYSTEM specialists will help you develop the ideal color combination, which will take into account all the details (printer characteristics, ink type and type of paper). On our resource you can purchase individual color profile. To do this, you need to download a special target, print it and send it to us along with the completed order form.

Happy printing!

Photosensitive photo paper

Photographic paper for use in the classical photographic process is coated with a photosensitive emulsion, consisting of a thin gelatin layer, inside of which, without touching each other, there are crystals of a photosensitive substance - silver salts, less than 0.001 mm in size. Because the silver salts themselves are milky yellow, the emulsion side of the photo paper has a pale yellow tint. Silver chloride, which has a maximum sensitivity in the ultraviolet zone of the spectrum, is most often used as a photosensitive substance. It was thanks to this substance that Ritter discovered the existence of ultraviolet rays (the substance darkened fastest in front of the violet part of the spectrum, where no light was visually detected).

For amateur photographers, it is also possible to make their own photo paper using photo emulsion available to order.

In the USSR, photographic paper was available for retail sale in the following sizes:
6x9 cm, 9x12 cm, 9x14 cm, 10x15 cm, 13x18 cm, 18x24 cm, 24x30 cm, 30x40 cm.
Photographic paper was packaged in packs of 20, 25, 50 or 100 sheets.
Larger sizes of photographic paper were produced for photographic laboratories, as well as roll paper of various widths.

Photo paper for printing with dyes

Photo paper- light-insensitive paper designed for use in inkjet and laser printers to produce high-quality prints of digital photographs, as well as prints from computer-processed film images. It differs from ordinary paper by strict standardization of color and mechanical (such as absorption, paint spreading) characteristics. This meaning of the term has become widespread with the development of digital photography.

Separately, we can mention heat-sensitive paper for fax machines.

Notes

Literature

• Photographic paper // Photocinema technology: Encyclopedia / Chief editor E. A. Iofis. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1981.
• Sublayer // Photocinema: Encyclopedia / Chief editor E. A. Iofis. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1981.

Links

• Photographic paper of the thirties and forties: brands and manufacturers. - information about manufacturers of photographic paper and photographic materials in Europe, their history before and after World War II, as well as samples of their products.

The printing consumables market today provides us with a huge range of photographic paper of various types. Glossy, matte, silky-matte, semi-gloss, satin, super-glossy - a novice photographer often has difficulty choosing the right paper for printing photographs, illustrations or graphics at home. Each type of photo paper has its own properties and applications. How to avoid mistakes in choosing the right photo paper to ensure high quality printing? To do this, you need to at least know in what cases it is best to use one or another type of paper.

Matte photo paper (Matte)

As you know, matte paper is characterized by a high degree of whiteness, lack of shine and matte roughness, which is well perceived to the touch. Matte paper has small pores; when printing on it, ink is absorbed more slowly and takes longer to dry compared to glossy photo paper. The main advantages of matte paper are that it is very versatile in use, has a relatively low cost, is resistant to mechanical damage such as scratches and fingerprints, and provides printing with both water-soluble and pigment inks. At the same time, it is inferior to glossy photo paper in its ability to convey subtle gradations of colors. Images on matte paper look very contrasty and detailed. Matte photo paper is best suited for printing photographs and images that do not strain the eyes.

Application areas of matte photo paper:

• illustrations or drawings with a predominance of text information (presentations, flyers, booklets, etc.);
• printing images for subsequent lamination (passport photo or pass);
• large format posters and calendars;
• various small-circulation publications.

Glossy photo paper (Glossy)

Glossy photo paper has a shiny, smooth surface. Due to a special polymer coating, glossy paper is ideal for conveying bright, saturated colors and gradations of various shades. This is the best paper for printing bright, realistic photo images that have rich colors and high contrast. For printing on glossy paper, as a rule, only water-soluble inks are used. They absorb and dry quickly, creating a colorful, color-rich image. Pigment ink can simply smear. Another disadvantage of glossy paper is that it is more susceptible to mechanical stress; the polymer coating of the paper is very easy to damage. However, only when printing on glossy paper at home can you obtain photographs comparable to those obtained in professional darkrooms using chemical methods.

Application areas of glossy photo paper:

• printing bright illustrated publications;
• professional and amateur printing of photographs, especially landscapes, portraits and other photographic images where rich color rendition is required;
• high quality promotional products;
• printing of posters, posters and playbills;
• interior graphics and portfolio;
• photo calendars.

Silky matte photo paper (Silk)

Silky-matte paper, on the one hand, has a silky shine and perfectly conveys color shades, and on the other hand, unlike glossy paper, it does not produce glare and is resistant to mechanical stress. Silky-matte photo paper is often used when you need bright, rich photo images, but at the same time, the paper itself is resistant to scratches and other damage. This type of photo paper is often used in professional photo studios. The silky matte paper is suitable for printing with both water-soluble and pigment inks.

Areas of application for silky matte photo paper:

• promotional products;
• printing photographs and illustrated publications;
• business cards;
• interior and web graphics.

Semi-Glossy Photo Paper

Semi-gloss is one of the most versatile types of photographic paper. Semi-gloss paper is characterized by a soft, subdued shine without harsh glare, resistance to mechanical stress, the ability to convey rich colors, as well as greater density and thickness. Semi-gloss paper combines the benefits of matte and traditional glossy photo papers. At the same time, it is compatible with all inks and boasts a fairly low cost. However, you still need to keep in mind that semi-gloss paper is slightly inferior to glossy paper in terms of color reproduction and paint palette. Although this difference can be very difficult to notice.

Application areas of semi-gloss photo paper:

• everyday home printing of photos and images with rich colors;
• semi-professional printing in photo studios;
• art and interior graphics;
• printing postcards, booklets and brochures.

Satin photo paper

Satin photo paper also occupies an intermediate position between glossy and matte. It has a texture similar to matte paper, is distinguished by a dull-muted shine without sharp reflections, does not warp from excess ink and is resistant to mechanical stress. Due to its lower cost, satin photo paper often becomes an economical alternative to glossy paper. Moreover, it provides good color rendering quality. Satin photo paper is a versatile and economical medium that allows you to obtain high-quality prints for solving a variety of photo printing problems.

Scope of application of satin photo paper:

• everyday home photo printing;
• printing wedding photographs;
• digital printing in photo studios;
• interior graphics;
• advertising printed products.

Super Glossy Paper

Super glossy is premium quality photo paper, which is a kind of improved version of classic glossy paper. Super-gloss photo paper provides even greater shine and smoothness, providing excellent image color and tone reproduction, as well as high detail. This is the choice of those who want to get high-quality photos with a glossy effect at the level of professional darkrooms. Super glossy photo paper can turn even an ordinary image into a colorful photograph.

Application areas of super glossy photo paper:

• business cards;
• advertising and printing products of the highest quality;
• printing full-color photographs at home with high resolution and realistic color reproduction;
• professional digital printing of photographs.

So, one or more types of photo paper are suitable for each specific task. In particular, matte paper is ideal for printing illustrations with text information and light-colored photographs. In turn, glossy and high-gloss photo paper are indispensable when you need to get photographs that are rich in color and have a vibrant artistic effect. Thus, it is always worth keeping in mind the properties and applications of different types of photo paper in order to choose the type of paper that will provide the best printing results.