Paper Guide
The Ultimate Guide to Selecting the Right Paper at The Stackhouse
Choosing the right paper for your prints is essential to achieving the desired look and feel of your artwork or photography. At The Stackhouse, we offer a curated selection of high-quality giclée and photo print papers, each with unique characteristics to complement different styles and preferences. In this guide, we'll explore the attributes of each paper type, helping you make an informed decision for your next print project.
Understanding Giclée Printing
Before diving into the specifics of our paper options, it's important to understand what giclée printing is. Giclée printing is a fine art digital printing process that combines pigment-based inks with high-quality archival paper to produce prints with exceptional detail, color accuracy, and longevity. This process is ideal for artists and photographers who want to create high-quality reproductions of their work.
Giclée Print Papers at The Stackhouse
At The Stackhouse, we offer five premium giclée print papers:
- Hot Press Bright
- Cold Press Bright
- Photo Rag
- William Turner
- FineArt Baryta
1. Hot Press Bright
Characteristics:
- Finish: Smooth, matte
- Weight: 310 gsm
- Thickness: 18.5 mil
- Brightness: Bright white
Best For:
- Detailed illustrations
- Digital art
- Photographs with fine details
Description:
Hot Press Bright is a smooth, matte paper that offers a bright white surface, providing excellent color contrast and sharp detail. Its smooth texture is ideal for prints that require a clean, crisp finish without any texture interference. This paper is perfect for artists and photographers who want their work to have a modern, sleek appearance.
Considerations:
The bright white surface may enhance the vibrancy of colors but might not suit vintage or sepia-toned images.
2. Cold Press Bright
Characteristics:
- Finish: Textured, matte
- Weight: 340 gsm
- Thickness: 21 mil
- Brightness: Bright white
Best For:
- Watercolor reproductions
- Textured artwork
- Prints with a tactile quality
Description:
Cold Press Bright offers a textured, matte finish that mimics the feel of traditional watercolor paper. This bright white paper enhances colors and provides a high level of detail, making it ideal for reproducing paintings and illustrations that require a textured surface.
Considerations:
The texture may not be suitable for images where fine detail and smooth gradients are essential.
3. Photo Rag
Characteristics:
- Finish: Smooth, matte
- Weight: 308 gsm
- Thickness: 19 mil
- Brightness: Natural white
Best For:
- Black-and-white photography
- Detailed color photographs
- Fine art prints
Description:
Photo Rag is a smooth, matte paper with a natural white tone, offering excellent color reproduction and deep blacks. Its smooth surface is ideal for both color and black-and-white prints, providing a high-quality, fine art finish.
Considerations:
The natural white tone may affect the brightness of colors compared to bright white papers.
4. William Turner
Characteristics:
- Finish: Textured, matte
- Weight: 310 gsm
- Thickness: 19 mil
- Brightness: Natural white
Best For:
- Watercolor and pastel reproductions
- Textured artwork
Description:
William Turner paper features a heavily textured surface, similar to traditional watercolor papers. This natural white paper is ideal for reproducing watercolors, pastels, and other textured artworks, offering a tactile and authentic feel.
Considerations:
The heavy texture may not be suitable for highly detailed digital art or photographs.
5. FineArt Baryta
Characteristics:
- Finish: Glossy, baryta coating
- Weight: 325 gsm
- Thickness: 15 mil
- Brightness: Bright white
Best For:
- High-contrast photographs
- Fine art photography
- Images requiring high detail and gloss
Description:
FineArt Baryta paper combines a glossy finish with a bright white base, providing exceptional detail, depth, and color saturation. The baryta coating gives prints a classic photographic look, making it ideal for high-contrast and fine art photography.
Considerations:
The glossy finish may introduce glare under certain lighting conditions.
Photo Print Papers at The Stackhouse
In addition to giclée print papers, The Stackhouse offers high-quality photo print papers for photographers seeking professional-grade results:
- Luster
- Glossy
- Metallic Glossy
- Photo Matte Fibre
1. Luster
Characteristics:
- Finish: Luster (subtle gloss and texture)
- Weight: 260 gsm
- Thickness: 10 mil
- Coating: Resin coated
Best For:
- Portrait photography
- Wedding photos
- General purpose photography
Description:
Luster paper is a favorite among photographers for its ability to capture the essence of every image. The subtle gloss and texture reduce glare while enhancing color depth and detail, making it perfect for a wide range of photographic prints.
Considerations:
The subtle texture may not suit highly detailed images where a completely smooth surface is preferred.
2. Glossy
Characteristics:
- Finish: High gloss
- Weight: 250 gsm
- Thickness: 10 mil
- Coating: Resin coated
Best For:
- Vibrant photographs
- Images requiring high contrast and sharpness
Description:
Glossy photo paper provides a high-gloss finish that amplifies colors and sharpens contrast, making every detail pop. It is ideal for vibrant photographs that require a striking, glossy appearance.
Considerations:
The high gloss finish may be prone to fingerprints and glare.
3. Metallic Glossy
Characteristics:
- Finish: High-gloss pearlescent
- Weight: 255 gsm
- Thickness: 10.4 mil
- Coating: Resin coated
Best For:
- High-impact photographs
- Images requiring a unique, dimensional quality
Description:
Metallic Glossy paper adds a unique metallic sheen to your photos, enhancing the vibrancy of colors and giving images a luminous, three-dimensional appearance. This paper is perfect for making a bold statement with your prints.
Considerations:
The metallic sheen may not suit all types of images, particularly those with muted or pastel colors.
4. Photo Matte Fibre
Characteristics:
- Finish: Matte
- Weight: 200 gsm
- Thickness: 11.8 mil
- Composition: 100% Alpha-Cellulose
Best For:
- Soft, non-reflective prints
- Color and black-and-white photography
Description:
Photo Matte Fibre paper offers a soft, non-reflective finish, providing excellent color reproduction and deep blacks. Its natural white tone and matte finish make it ideal for both color and black-and-white prints, giving your images a classic, elegant look.
Considerations:
The matte finish may reduce the perceived contrast and vibrancy compared to glossy papers.
Making Your Choice
Selecting the right paper for your prints depends on the specific requirements of your artwork or photography and the desired final appearance. Here are a few tips to help you choose:
- Consider the Finish: Determine whether you prefer a smooth, glossy, or textured finish. Glossy papers enhance colors and details but may introduce glare, while matte papers offer a softer, non-reflective look.
- Think About Texture: Textured papers like Cold Press Bright and William Turner add a tactile quality to prints, ideal for reproducing traditional art mediums. Smooth papers like Hot Press Bright and Photo Rag are better for detailed and digital artworks.
- Evaluate Weight and Thickness: Heavier papers like FineArt Baryta and William Turner provide a substantial feel and durability. Lighter papers like Photo Matte Fibre offer flexibility and are easier to handle.
- Match Paper to Image Style: Choose papers that complement the style of your artwork or photograph. For instance, FineArt Baryta is great for high-contrast photography, while Cold Press Bright suits watercolor reproductions.
By understanding the unique characteristics of each paper type, you can confidently select the best option to showcase your creative work. At The Stackhouse, we're here to support you in achieving the highest quality prints that bring your vision to life.