Glossy vs Matte vs Lustre: Which photo paper should you choose?
You've captured the perfect shot. The lighting is beautiful, the composition is spot on, and the colours are exactly how you remember that moment. Now comes a decision that will make or break your final print: which paper finish should you choose?
The right paper transforms a good photo into something you'll want to hang on your wall for years. The wrong choice can leave your image looking flat, washed out, or fighting against reflections every time you try to view it.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about photo paper finishes: from the classic glossy vs matte debate to specialty options like metallic and fine art papers. By the end, you'll know exactly which paper suits your image, your space, and your style.
Understanding photo paper finishes
Photo paper finishes fall into three main categories: glossy, matte, and semi-gloss (often called lustre, satin, or pearl). Each finish interacts with light differently, which affects how your image appears in different viewing conditions.
Glossy Finish
Glossy paper has a smooth, reflective surface that creates the most vivid colours and deepest blacks. It's the finish most people picture when they think of a traditional photo print—bright, punchy, and high-contrast.
Best for: Vibrant landscapes, bold colours, images with strong contrast, product photography
Consider: Glossy surfaces show fingerprints and create reflections under direct lighting. They work best in spaces with controlled, indirect light or behind non-reflective glass.
Matte Finish
Matte paper has a flat, non-reflective surface that diffuses light rather than reflecting it. This creates a softer, more subtle look with a wider viewing angle. You can see the image clearly from almost any position without glare.
Best for: Black and white photography, portraits, fine art prints, images with subtle tonal gradations
Consider: Matte finishes typically produce slightly less saturated colours and lighter blacks than glossy papers. This isn't a flaw—it's a characteristic that gives matte prints their elegant, gallery-like quality.
Semi-Gloss / Lustre / Pearl
Semi-gloss papers (also marketed as lustre, satin, or pearl) sit between glossy and matte. They offer good colour saturation and contrast while minimising glare and fingerprints. This makes them incredibly versatile—suitable for almost any image type.
Best for: Portraits, wedding photos, travel photography, images that need to look good in various lighting conditions
Consider: If you're unsure which finish to choose, semi-gloss is often the safest option. It handles both vibrant and subtle images well.
Our paper range: A closer look
We've curated six premium papers to cover every style and purpose. Here's what makes each one unique.
Smooth Pearl
Finish: Semi-gloss
Our most versatile paper. Smooth Pearl delivers vibrant colours and a rich tonal range with just enough sheen to make your images pop—without the heavy reflections of full gloss. The subtle pearl finish adds depth while remaining easy to view from any angle. This is our go-to recommendation for travel photos, family portraits, and any image where you want colours that feel true to life.
Wedding and portrait photography
Travel and landscape images
Everyday prints you want to display
Photo Realistic Gloss
Finish: High-shine glossy
When you want maximum impact, Photo Realistic Gloss delivers. The high-shine surface creates the deepest blacks and most saturated colours in our range. Images practically jump off the paper. This is the paper for bold, attention-grabbing prints—think vivid sunsets, neon cityscapes, or any image where you want colour to be the hero.
High-contrast images
Vibrant landscapes and nature photography
Product and commercial photography
Fine Art Textured Silk
Finish: Soft matte with subtle texture
This paper adds a tactile dimension to your prints. The soft matte finish and gentle texture create depth that you can actually feel—giving images an artistic, handcrafted quality. Fine Art Textured Silk excels with romantic portraits, dreamy landscapes, and any image with soft, flowing tones. The texture catches light beautifully, adding visual interest without distracting from your image.
Romantic and soft-focus portraits
Misty landscapes and nature scenes
Images with soft colour palettes
Textured Cotton Rag
Finish: Museum-grade matte
Our premium archival paper. Made from 100% cotton, this museum-grade stock is acid-free and built to last generations. The classic fine art texture gives prints a timeless, gallery-worthy quality. Textured Cotton Rag is the definitive choice for black and white photography, where its ability to render subtle tonal gradations truly shines. It's also ideal for any print you want to preserve long-term.
Black and white photography
Fine art prints for gallery display
Archival prints you want to last a lifetime
Metallic Gloss
Finish: Reflective pearlescent
Something special happens when light hits metallic paper. The reflective pearlescent base creates a three-dimensional effect that makes images appear to glow from within. Highlights shimmer, water sparkles, and light sources seem to radiate off the print. Metallic Gloss is perfect for images with strong highlights—sunsets over water, snow scenes, night photography with light trails, or any image where you want that extra wow factor.
Ocean, lake, and water photography
Sunset and sunrise images
Snow scenes and winter photography
Night photography and cityscapes with lights
Galicia Canvas
Finish: Textured canvas, 450gsm
Canvas transforms photographs into artwork. The woven texture and substantial 450gsm weight give prints a painterly quality that suits both modern and traditional interiors. Galicia Canvas works beautifully for large statement pieces, abstract photography, and images with bold compositions. The texture softens fine details slightly, so it's best suited to images where overall impact matters more than pixel-level sharpness.
Large wall art and statement pieces
Abstract and artistic photography
Home decor prints
Which paper for which image?
Smooth Pearl (Semi-gloss): Best for portraits, travel, everyday prints. Works for most images.
Photo Realistic Gloss (High-shine): Best for vibrant colours and high contrast. Avoid in bright rooms or if handling often.
Fine Art Textured Silk (Soft matte): Best for romantic portraits and misty landscapes. Avoid for sharp detail-heavy images.
Textured Cotton Rag (Museum-grade matte): Best for black and white photography and archival prints. Avoid for highly saturated colour work.
Metallic Gloss (Pearlescent): Best for water, snow, and night lights. Avoid for subtle, muted images.
Galicia Canvas (Textured 450gsm): Best for large wall art and statement pieces. Avoid for images needing fine detail.
How to choose: Three questions to ask
1. What's the dominant characteristic of your image?
Bold, vibrant colours lean towards glossy or metallic. Soft, subtle tones suit matte or textured papers. Most images work well on semi-gloss.
2. Where will you display it?
Rooms with lots of natural light or overhead lighting can create glare on glossy surfaces. Matte and semi-gloss papers handle these conditions better. If the print will be behind glass, consider a matte finish to avoid double reflections.
3. What feeling do you want to create?
Glossy feels modern and punchy. Matte feels classic and sophisticated. Canvas feels artistic and warm. Metallic feels dramatic and contemporary. Trust your instincts—there's no wrong answer, just different expressions of the same image.
Still not sure about the paper option to choose?
Start with Smooth Pearl. It's our most popular paper for good reason—it handles virtually any image type well, looks great in any lighting condition, and gives you that professional print quality without overthinking it.
For black and white work, go straight to Textured Cotton Rag. The way it renders tonal gradations is genuinely special.
And if you've got an image with water, snow, or beautiful light—try Metallic Gloss. It might just become your new favourite.