How to Choose Photographic Paper

Choosing between types and brands of print paper can be confusing, but it's an integral part of the printing process.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Photographic Print Papers
• Camera Accessories
• Cameras
• Darkroom Chemicals
• Darkroom Equipment
• Paper Safes

1. Decide on the paper size. Photographic print paper comes in a range of standard sizes from 3 1/2 by 5 inches to 16 by 20 inches and larger.
2. Consider the type of finish you want. Matte, semimatte, pearl, luster and glossy are some of the most common. Matte prints feature extremely low reflectivity while glossy prints are highly reflective, giving the impression of greater detail and richer contrast.
3. Choose between single- and double-weight paper, which refers to the thickness of the paper. Double-weight paper is typically easier to handle, process and mount.
4. Choose between fiber-based and resin-coated paper when printing in black and white; fiber-based paper is not available in color print paper. Although developing resin-coated paper takes a much shorter time, fiber-based paper produces richer dark shadow tones, the final print is easier to touch-up and it produces better results when bleaching and toning.
5. Select a grade of paper. Variable-contrast papers, which are used with graded filters, deliver the most flexibility. However, papers come in single grades from 0, or soft contrast, to 5, or hard contrast. Color paper comes in a more limited range, usually general purpose, low-contrast and sometimes high-contrast grades.
6. Pick paper made with bromide emulsion to achieve a cold tone in which blacks have a blue cast or chlorobromide emulsion paper for a warm tone in which blacks have a brown cast.

Tips & Warnings

• Manufacturers use a variety of terms to describe the paper finish. View sample cards available at most photography stores to get an idea of the appearance of each type of paper.
• Resin-coated papers are ideal for making proof sheets, work prints and prints for publication.
• Prints for reproduction are typically made on glossy paper.
• Cold-toned prints often give the impression of modernity, while warm-toned prints tend to evoke nostalgia.
• Store color print paper in a refrigerator or cool place to increase its shelf life.
• Make sure to distinguish between color and black-and-white print paper. They are not interchangeable.

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