What's
the difference between Glossy, Lustre and Matte?
The difference between paper finishes hinges on two values, contrast, and paper
surface. Contrast refers to the ability of a paper to record a range of tones
from the most extreme white to the richest black. Nearly all photographs will
have a full range of tones, but depending on the type of paper you use one can
either highlight the differences (with a high-contrast paper) or subdue them
(with lower-contrast) depending on your preference and purpose. The paper’s
surface is based on the level of reflectiveness and, again, is a matter of preference.
Glossy photos are printed on coated paper with a very smooth, shiny reflective
surface. Glossy finishes has a high-contrast appearance and look slick to the
touch when not under glass.
In contrast, matte finishes have a very smooth, non-glare finish. Matte finishes
have a lower-contrast when printed and are often used to enhance the texture
of a print.
Lustre paper is the premier paper most preferred by portrait and wedding photographers
and is considered more of a professional-grade paper. Lustre is often considered
the finish “between” matte and glossy, and has a slight gloss with
a subtle, often pearl-like texture. Lustre paper has a deeper color-saturization
than matte as well as a higher contrast.
Glossy
Pros:
* Photos will have a shiny finish.
* Colors are vibrant.
* Images are crisp and sharp (assuming the original photo was in focus).
* Glossy finish does not produce a textured look when scanned and converted
to digital.
Cons:
* They are highly susceptible to fingerprints and smudges.
* To remove fingerprints and smudges, you need to use a photo cloth and/or a
liquid solution. Rubbing a photo, no matter how soft the cloth is, can produce
scratches.
* Glossy photos produce a glare, making them difficult to see from certain angles.
Matte
Pros:
* Fingerprints and smudges are not as visible.
* Since most professional prints are printed on matte-finish paper, photos printed
on matte paper can have a more professional look. This is especially true with
black and white photographs.
* Glare is significantly reduced with matte-finish prints.
Cons:
* The texture of matte finish can make a photo look grainy.
* Colors are usually less vibrant on a matte finish.
* The texture of a matte-finish print may produce a pattern or visible texture
when the photo is scanned or converted to digital.
More about Fuji Crystal Archvice Paper:
Designed for optimum performance from large digital printing systems, new Fujicolor Crystal Archive Professional Paper Type CD II produces bright, crisp commercial prints with unsurpassed color image stability from laser printers and other digital exposure systems, yet conventional exposure compatible. Ideal for meeting professional photographers' needs for exhibitors, advertising, and other commercial photo applications, this paper delivers rich tonal gradation, vivid color reproduction, exceptional sharpness, and unsurpassed color stability.
Fujicolor Crystal Archive
A color paper incorporating Fujifilm's latest coupler, base, and tone-control
technologies to deliver superb colors and pure whites with exceptional color
image stability and sharpness.
• RA-4 Compatible
• For Color Prints from Negatives
• Pure Whites
• Outstanding Image Stability
• Exceptional Resistance to Color Fading
• Available in Glossy, Lustre, and Matte Surfaces
Fuji Crystal Archive is a resin-based paper that is noted for its unmatched archival quality. It has long been considered the finest color photographic paper available and is the choice of professional photographers and commercial labs. Recent independent studies by Wilhelm Imaging Research (an organization respected for its testing of materials) show that Crystal Archive is the most fade-resistant photographic paper of all that are currently made, outlasting other major brands by almost a three-to-one margin. These independent studies showed that under normal display conditions, Fuji Crystal Archive lasts six or seven decades before any noticeable fade; the nearest competing paper was estimated to only last 15 to 20 years before fading.
More information can be found at the Fuji Crystal Archive page or by viewing the Wilhelm Imaging Research study.