Whether you’re printing out your summer travel photos, art prints to hang in your home or exhibiting your photography in a gallery, there’s a paper type for you. We understand it might be daunting to know exactly which photo paper type is going to be best for your projects, which is why we’ve put together this handy guide! Each paper type has its own characteristics that are important for you to understand before choosing. So, let’s dive into our photo paper types so you can order your prints.
What are the Different Types of Photo Paper?
We’ll walk you through the three paper types you can choose from to print your photos: Lustre, Glossy and Pearl, as well as our linen option that can be added to each paper type.We will also introduce you to our fine art printing technique, Giclée. All of our prints are printed on Fujifilm Crystal Archive photo paper - a leader in the industry. This means your prints will last well over 100 years in a typical home display!
Lustre Prints
starting at $0.49
Our most popular Paper Type, Lustre Photo Paper is pretty much the industry standard for photo prints. Printed on Fuji Crystal Archive Digital Paper Type DPII Lustre photo paper, Lustre has a hint of a sheen, but not as shiny as Pearl or Glossy, your colors will remain true to life without having the reflectiveness Pearl or Glossy might have.
Glossy Prints
starting at $0.88
You know that drawer full of photos from your childhood? That's likely a glossy photo print. Our most vibrant option, Glossy Photo Paper is going to be the one that really make your colors pop, as long as you don’t mind a little reflection! Printed on Fujicolor Crystal Archive Super Type CN Glossy photo paper, black and white images also look fantastic with a Glossy finish.
Pearl Prints
starting at $1.02
Printed on Fujifilm Crystal Archive Digital Pearl photo paper, Pearl prints are the perfect in between Lustre and Glossy. More of a shine than Lustre, with a pearlescent (almost metallic) shimmer, but not quite as reflective as Glossy.
Giclée: Premium Lustre, Art Metallic, & Bright Matte
starting at $22.80
We offer Giclee Prints on carefully selected, professional-grade papers that bring out the best in your images:
Bright Matte / Moab Entrada Bright White: A smooth, matte paper with a neutral white tone that beautifully showcases vibrant colors and crisp detail.
Art Metallic / Photo Rag Metallic: A unique paper with slight texture and a pearlescent, metallic sheen that enhances contrast and depth for an eye-catching finish.
Premium Lustre / Epson Photo Lustre: A semi-gloss paper offering a subtle shine with excellent color saturation and fine detail, perfect for photographers.
Our Giclée prints deliver archival-quality fine art reproduction on your choice of three smooth-finish papers: Art Metallic, Premium Lustre, and Bright Matte. This range lets you select the look and feel that best matches your style. Check out our Giclée Print Guide for a more in depth look at this incredible printing technique.
Linen Texture: Lustre, Glossy, & Pearl
starting at $0.64
Our Linen texture paper type is pretty straightforward — you have the characteristics of Lustre, Glossy, or Pearl, but with a linen texture, as you can see here. This can be added on when editing your photos!
Pro Tip: Make sure to add photo Color Correction if you want to ensure your prints turn out as close to the original as possible!
Lustre vs. Glossy vs. Pearl Paper Type
| Lustre | Glossy | Pearl | |
| Surface Finish | Semi-matte with slight texture | Shiny and highly reflective | Metallic sheen with rich depth |
| Photo Quality | True-to-life colors with soft finish | Bold colors with sharper contrast | Vivid, almost 3D-like vibrancy |
| Price (starting at) | $0.49 | $0.88 | $1.02 |
| Purpose | Everyday prints, portraits, albums | Vibrant scenes and events | Art prints, standout showcase images |
How to Choose the Best Photo Paper Type
When deciding which photo paper type is best for your prints, consider how you plan to use and display your photos. Each finish brings something unique to the table:
Lustre is ideal if you’re looking for a versatile, professional finish that minimizes glare and resists fingerprints. It’s a great choice for wedding photos, portraits, or anytime you want a polished look without the shine of glossy paper.
Glossy paper offers the most vibrant colors and high contrast, making it perfect for landscape shots, colorful vacation memories, or photos that are meant to pop. Just keep in mind, it’s more prone to glare and smudging.
Pearl paper features a subtle texture and a metallic sheen that adds depth and richness. It’s a premium choice that works beautifully for fine art, black and white prints, or any standout piece you'd want to showcase.
Giclée use pigment-based inks and archival-quality papers to deliver exceptional color accuracy and longevity. Whether you’re creating fine art prints, photo prints, or wall art, Giclée is a premium option with 3 different paper type offerings:
Art Metallic: A unique paper with slight texture and a pearlescent, metallic sheen that enhances contrast and depth for an eye-catching finish.
Premium Lustre: A semi-gloss paper offering a subtle shine with excellent color saturation and fine detail, perfect for photographers.
Bright Matte: A smooth, matte paper with a neutral white tone that beautifully showcases vibrant colors and crisp detail.
Photo size can also influence your decision. Larger prints may benefit from a finish like Lustre or Pearl, which are easier to view in various lighting conditions and more resistant to handling wear. Check out our photo size guide for help deciding which dimensions are right for your space. Other factors like texture and purpose are worth considering. If you’re framing your print or displaying it in a gallery-style setting, Giclée offers an artistic edge. For photo albums or casual gifting, Lustre or Glossy may be a better fit.
And don’t forget about !
If you’re looking for a sturdy mounting option for your print, you can always add these print mountings during the editing process, as well!
Ready to print your favorites?
Now that you’re feeling confident about which Paper Types are going to work best when printing your favorite memories, it’s time to shop our collection of photo prints!
