How to Choose the Right Paper and Canvas for Art Prints
The surface you print on matters. Not in a vague “premium vs standard” way, but in a real way that affects color, contrast, texture, and how the print looks under different lighting.
This guide helps you choose the right paper or canvas based on what you are printing (photography, watercolor, digital art, etc.) and how you plan to display it.
These surface choices matter most when you’re using giclée printing, a process where the type of paper and canvas directly affect color accuracy, texture, and detail.
TL;DR: Smooth matte papers show maximum detail. Textured papers add a traditional, fine-art feel. Glossy papers boost contrast and deep blacks. Canvas creates a frameless wall-art look. The right choice depends on your artwork and where it will live.
Quick picks (short answers)
- Best safe choice for photography: Luster Photo Paper
- Best matte fine art look for photos and digital art: Photo Rag
- Best for watercolor reproductions: Cold Press Bright or William Turner
- Best for maximum detail on matte: Hot Press Bright
- Best for deep blacks and contrast: FineArt Baryta
- Best canvas for most homes: Matte Canvas (glare-free)
- Best canvas when you want a touch of pop: Satin Canvas
How to choose the right surface
If you are stuck between two options, these are the three levers that actually change the final look:
- Matte vs glossy: Matte reduces glare and feels more “fine art.” Gloss increases contrast and punch but can reflect light.
- Smooth vs textured: Smooth shows crisp edges and fine detail. Texture adds character and can slightly soften micro-detail.
- Bright white vs natural white: Bright white boosts contrast and saturation. Natural white feels warmer and more traditional.
If you want help choosing the print format first (paper vs canvas vs mounted), start here: Choosing the Right Print Type.
Next steps: sizes and borders, file prep, or grab a free media sample set.
Media Categories
Giclee Fine Art Papers
Best for gallery-grade art and photography where texture, paper feel, and archival presentation matter.
Giclee Fine Art papers are ideal for creating gallery-worthy prints. These premium papers provide exceptional color accuracy and texture, making them perfect for fine art reproductions and archival prints.
Photo Papers
Best for vibrant photography, albums, portfolios, and everyday prints where clarity and finish options matter.
Photo Papers are designed to bring out the vibrant colors and sharp details in your images. These papers are perfect for everyday photography, promotional materials, and photo albums.
Canvas Media
Best for frameless wall art and décor. Canvas adds texture and creates a finished look when stretched.
Canvas offers a unique way to display your artwork with a classic, textured finish. Our canvas options are durable and versatile, perfect for large-scale wall art, gallery wraps, and home décor.
Giclee Fine Art Papers
Hot Press Bright
Smooth Matte | 300gsm | 16 mil | 100% Cotton Rag
Hot Press Bright paper is a smooth, matte paper with a bright white base that provides excellent color contrast and sharp details. The lack of texture gives it a sleek finish, making it ideal for prints that require fine detail and precision. This paper is also acid-free, ensuring long-term durability.
Recommended Uses
- Detailed Artwork: Best for detailed illustrations, digital artwork, and photographs where clarity and sharpness are critical.
- Color Photography: The bright white base ensures vibrant color reproduction, making it a great choice for colorful prints.
- Archival Prints: Ideal for archival-quality prints that need to stand the test of time, such as limited edition artworks.
Cold Press Bright
Textured Matte | 305gsm | 19 mil | 100% Cotton Rag
Cold Press Bright paper features a textured surface that adds depth and character to prints. The bright white base offers vibrant color reproduction, while the textured finish provides a tactile quality that enhances the overall visual impact. This paper is also archival quality, ensuring longevity.
Recommended Uses
- Fine Art Reproductions: Perfect for reproducing paintings and drawings where the texture adds to the authenticity of the print.
- Watercolor Art: The textured surface closely mimics traditional watercolor paper, making it ideal for printing watercolor artworks.
- High-Quality Photography: Suitable for high-quality photography that benefits from a textured, artistic finish.
Photo Rag
Textured Matte | 308 gsm | 18.9 mil | 100% Cotton Fiber
Photo Rag is a premium, smooth matte paper with a soft, fine texture that adds a slight depth to prints. It offers exceptional color reproduction and is highly regarded for its ability to render fine details with precision. Photo Rag is a go-to choice for photographers and artists looking for a versatile, high-quality paper.
Recommended Uses
- Fine Art Photography: Ideal for fine art photography where color accuracy and detail are crucial.
- Digital Art Prints: Perfect for digital artwork, providing a high-quality surface that complements a wide range of artistic styles.
- Limited Edition Prints: Suitable for producing limited edition prints, where the quality of the paper matches the exclusivity of the artwork.
William Turner
Textured Matte | 310 gsm | 24.4 mil | 100% Cotton Fiber
William Turner paper is a heavyweight, textured paper with a natural white base. It has a pronounced texture that closely resembles traditional watercolor paper, adding a unique tactile quality to prints. This paper is ideal for reproducing classic artworks and is known for its archival quality.
Recommended Uses
- Watercolor Reproductions: The textured surface is perfect for reproducing watercolor paintings, capturing the original’s essence.
- Historical Art Prints: Great for reproducing historical artworks where the texture enhances the authenticity.
- Fine Art Photography: Suitable for fine art photography, especially those that benefit from a textured, artistic finish.
FineArt Baryta
Textured Glossy | 325 gsm | 16.14 mil | 100% Alpha Cellulose
FineArt Baryta is a high-gloss paper that offers exceptional color depth and contrast, making it ideal for high-impact photography. It has a subtle texture that adds a professional feel to prints. The paper’s wide color gamut and excellent D-Max make it a top choice for both color and black-and-white photography.
Recommended Uses
- High-Contrast Photography: Perfect for images that require deep blacks and vivid colors, such as black-and-white photography or HDR images.
- Gallery Exhibits: Ideal for prints that will be displayed in galleries, where the high-gloss finish and color vibrancy will make a strong impact.
- Artistic Portraits: Great for artistic portraits where a dramatic finish enhances the emotional tone of the image.
Photo Papers
Luster Paper
Luster Finish (orange peel) | 260 gsm | 10 mil | Resin Coated Paper
Luster paper features a semi-gloss finish that strikes a balance between matte and glossy surfaces. It has a subtle texture that reduces glare while still delivering vibrant colors and sharp details. The luster finish is often described as having an “orange peel” texture, which provides a professional look without the excessive shine of glossy papers.
Recommended Uses
- Portrait Photography: Ideal for portraits where you want to achieve a soft glow without overwhelming reflections.
- Wedding Photography: Offers a luxurious finish that enhances the emotional tone of wedding photos while maintaining durability.
- Everyday Printing: Great for a variety of photography styles, including landscapes and family photos, making it a versatile choice for all-purpose printing.
Glossy
High Gloss Finish | 250 gsm | 10 mil | Resin Coated Paper
Glossy paper is known for its smooth, high-shine finish that maximizes color vibrancy and sharpness. This type of paper enhances the contrast and detail in photographs, making images appear more dynamic and lifelike. The glossy surface is perfect for prints that need to pop and grab attention.
Recommended Uses
- Vibrant Photography: Best for images with bright, saturated colors where you want every detail to stand out.
- Promotional Materials: Ideal for flyers, brochures, and other marketing materials that require a glossy, professional appearance.
- Photo Albums: A popular choice for personal photo albums, where the glossy finish enhances the visual impact of cherished memories.
Metallic Glossy Paper
High-Gloss Pearlescent Finish | 255 gsm | 10.4 mil | Resin Coated Paper
Metallic Glossy paper offers a unique pearlescent finish that adds a luminous, three-dimensional quality to prints. This paper enhances the vibrancy of colors and provides a reflective quality that changes with the viewing angle, giving images a striking, dynamic appearance.
Recommended Uses
- Artistic Photography: Perfect for images that benefit from a dramatic, otherworldly aesthetic, such as abstract art or night photography.
- High-Impact Visuals: Use for displays where you want to make a bold statement, like gallery exhibitions or showpieces.
- Event Photography: Great for wedding and event photography where a luxurious and unique finish is desired.
Photo Matte Fibre
Natural White Matte Finish | 200 gsm | 11.8 mil | 100% Alpha-Cellulose
Photo Matte Fibre paper features a smooth, natural white surface with a soft, non-reflective finish. This paper is known for its excellent color reproduction and deep blacks, making it ideal for both color and black-and-white photography. The matte finish eliminates glare, ensuring that prints look great in any lighting condition.
Recommended Uses
- Fine Art Prints: Perfect for high-quality fine art reproductions that require a subtle, sophisticated finish.
- Black-and-White Photography: Enhances tonal gradation and contrast, making it a top choice for black-and-white images.
- Professional Portfolios: Ideal for creating professional portfolios where detail and color accuracy are paramount.
Canvas Media
Satin Canvas
Satin Cavas Texture | Cotton-Poly Blend
Satin Canvas is a versatile canvas material with a satin finish that provides a subtle sheen, enhancing color vibrancy while maintaining the classic texture of canvas. This material is durable and less prone to damage, making it a popular choice for gallery wraps and wall art.
Recommended Uses
- Gallery Wraps: Ideal for creating gallery wraps, where the satin finish adds a touch of elegance to the final piece.
- Photographic Art: Perfect for photographic art where color vibrancy and durability are key considerations.
- Home Décor: Great for producing high-quality home décor items, such as large wall art, that need to withstand time.
Matte Canvas
Matte Canvas Texture | Cotton-Poly Blend
Matte Canvas features a non-reflective surface that offers a traditional, subdued presentation of artwork. The matte finish eliminates glare, making it perfect for displaying in various lighting conditions. This canvas is durable and provides a classic look for fine art reproductions and photography.
Recommended Uses
- Traditional Art Reproductions: Best for reproducing traditional artworks where a non-reflective surface enhances the authenticity.
- Black-and-White Photography: Ideal for black-and-white photography, where the matte finish accentuates the tonal range without the distraction of shine.
- Large-Scale Wall Art: Suitable for large-scale wall art that requires a durable, glare-free finish for display in different environments.
