Smooth vs. Textured Paper: Which To Choose for Art Prints?

When ordering archival prints of your artwork or photographs, you want to consider all the important details of your recreation. One of these details is the type of paper you select for your prints. There are many types of paper in the printing world, but most of them fall into one of two main categories: smooth or textured. If you’re curious about smooth versus textured paper and which to choose for your prints, keep reading to learn the benefits of each.

Benefits of Smooth Paper

Smooth paper, also known as hot press paper, has a completely smooth surface and can come in a variety of finishes. This type of paper provides the least visual distraction, so it can be ideal for detailed images that you want to print; it also offers the most contrast and promotes more saturated colors and details. Smooth paper is popular when applying a glossy finish, as it creates more sheen and detail within the finish.

Benefits of Textured Paper

Textured paper, also known as cold press paper, has the opposite effect of smooth materials. This type of paper has a toothy pattern that creates a textured effect. This paper can turn relatively simple images and artworks into dimensional pieces. Using textured paper for a print provides the same effect as using a patterned overlay in a piece of digital art—it provides texture and variation that the overall piece may otherwise lack. This type of paper works well with both matte and glossy finishes, though glossy finishes can impact the texture of the final print.

Which Paper To Choose

When choosing a paper type for your print, consider the qualities of the original piece. If you’re recreating flat images or those that originated on a smooth paper, such as a piece of artwork or a photograph, it’s best to choose a smooth paper texture. Alternatively, if you’re trying to recreate a work from a textured paper or canvas, consider opting for a textured print or canvas print to be more faithful to the source material. Of course, the flat versus textured appearance can also be a matter of personal preference, so keep in mind the recipient of your print and their preferences as well.

Now that you have a better idea of the differences between smooth and textured paper and which to choose for art prints, you can apply this knowledge to your future print orders. If you’re looking for an archival printing service that offers a range of paper types, choose The Stackhouse for all your printing needs. We provide high-quality reproductions with a variety of paper types, finishes, and other details.