Matte paper provides black and white photos with an authentic and antique look.
Matte photo paper is a type of paper used to print photos from a home printer. Of the three different finishes available, matte is the least glossy, making it most appropriate for certain types of projects, especially black and white photos.
Types
All types of photo paper begin with the same base paper but are coated with one of three different finishes: glossy, semigloss and matte, also known as nonglossy. Matte offers the dullest finish of the three. It is available in either single- or double-sided finishes; paper with a double-sided finish is suitable for projects that require printing on both sides, such as calendars.
Considerations
Beginning photographers generally prefer glossy paper, because the colors tend to be more lively than when printed on matte photo paper. Colors can appear dull when printed on matte finished paper. Matte paper is recommended for printing black and white photos, as duller finishes can lend a traditional, antique look to the photos that a glossy finish does not.
Benefits
Although glossy finishes tend to be the most popular style of photo paper, choosing the matte finish offers some benefits. Fingerprints and dust are more noticeable on photos printed on a glossy surface, while they do not show up on matte photo paper. Furthermore, matte finishes can be viewed under strong light, while glossy finishes reflect too much glare under direct light.
Tags: black white, black white photos, photo paper, white photos, antique look
