Gloss or Matt Finish?

shepthedog

Have a quick question plz
Just about to place an order with photobox and not sure whether to get matt or gloss..
Are there rules for which is better for certain types of photography?
I am ordering mainly landscapes and ordering to frame a few so want whatever will give the best look..
Thanks!

rymus

I always preferred matt, but that could be more down to my personal preference rather than anything technical..

Fenster

I've always perferred matte, myself.

Fajitas!

Matt here.

unreggd

hi, my names Matt, and im a photo-holic

ThOnda

Always gloss!!!

Mate is not mate, it is gloss with texture. It is good for small photos to pass to people - no fingerprints.
If you are going to frame it, always gloss. The texture could add unwanted grain and reflections to your photos. Just use antirelfex glass in your frames. It is a little more expensive, however the image quality will be much better.
There is different type of mate, but it is on absolutely flat surface, lige gloss paper. However only few labs do use that material.
Sorry, I was using papers FOMA (foma.cz) so I do not know names of other producers.

If you can get mat - BUT fine paper without texture, you'll win.

Sorry, I am half asleep...

Oriel

Like my Mac screen, always matte.
But I bought expensive matte paper for my printer, and it nearly looks like normal paper! So I've been home-printing on gloss since.
(Slightly off topic - but why is my matte turning out to be so crap? I tried both sides incase I was being stupid, but both were crap)

SOL

If you can get perfectly smooth matt that is my favourite but otherwise it has to be gloss, the "matt" crap that goes in the average machine is just a bit second rate really...

Fajitas!

Oriel wrote:

Like my Mac screen, always matte.
But I bought expensive matte paper for my printer, and it nearly looks like normal paper! So I've been home-printing on gloss since.
(Slightly off topic - but why is my matte turning out to be so crap? I tried both sides incase I was being stupid, but both were crap)

Possibly the inks for the printer?

What type paper did you get, and what type look were you looking for?

mikeanywhere

Fajitas! wrote:

Possibly the inks for the printer?

What type paper did you get, and what type look were you looking for?

Hit it on the head!!

daedalus2097

I tend to use Epson Premium Semigloss for home printing that's going into standard frames as I found the glossy paper ends up with a double shine which makes it more difficult to see behind the standard glass. The very fine matte paper does give lovely prints though, but you have to get your inks set up right for it or it'll saturate or bleed...

Calina

I prefer matt as a general rule.

rabbitinlights

Matt, Ive just got a few A3's done and Matt looks great!

latchiko

It's always matt for me. But it depends on the final product - if you intend framing it using non-reflective glass I've read that it's better to go with gloss. Matte is generally better for handing around as they are are less reflective so easier to look at and attract less fingerprints as others have mentioned.

Fionn

matt for A3 and gloss for smaller, seems to be pretty ok

shepthedog

Excellent thanks for all the replies.. Seems that matt is winning out for larger sizes.. thanks for all the opinions..

leinsterman

It depends really ... but I prefer Matt ...

I do like some of the fine art papers out there also ... they have some lovely textures ... but this is for specific uses ...

Thonda has a point ... Gloss works well under glass ...

irishcrazyhorse

I use hahnemuhle photo rag..
Costs a bit but is really worth it!
I never use gloss really, only for smaller images and portraits

elven

Oriel, if you're printing on the matte fine art papers like somerset velvet, it'll be less contrasty than you'd get with gloss/pearl paper. Sometimes the manufacturer will have a profile on their website for the particular paper.

Does anyone know of an online priinter that uses proper fine art matte papers, rather than that textured satin finish that photobox uses? I had a friend do a couple for me on that and I loved it to bits...