Photo Paper Guide!

At The Photo Babes, we offer four exceptional paper qualities for your prints. You might think it's hard to choose from so many options, but not with us. We believe each of our papers has its own distinct personality, making it essential to select the perfect one for your photos.

Let us break it down for you!

Matte Smooth Cotton
This paper is designed to please everyone. Its velvety smooth surface provides the perfect matte finish, bringing your photos to life in incredible detail.

Features:

  • Warm base
  • Weight: 320gsm
  • Matte Smooth Finish


Textured Cotton Rag Matte
Don't let texture intimidate you! Take a closer look at our textured cotton rag paper. The amazing detail captured by its texture, paired with a matte finish, guarantees incredible results for your photos.

Features:

  • White base
  • Weight: 320gsm
  • Matte Texture Finish 

Fine Art Smooth Pearl Semi Gloss 
For those Babe's who can't decide between matte and gloss, we've got the perfect solution! Our fine art paper offers a smooth matte finish with a subtle texture and a lovely satiny sheen, creating the ideal semi-gloss finish.

Features:

  • White base
  • Weight: 270gsm
  • Semi Gloss Finish

Smooth Pearl Gloss
When you hear "gloss," you might envision the shiniest paper imaginable. However, our Glossy photo paper offers a unique twist. With its classic pearl surface, it provides a subtle shimmer that beautifully enhances your photos.

Features:

  • Bright white base
  • Weight: 310gsm
  • Gloss Finish

 

  • Whilst on display keep your prints away from direct sunlight and protect them from UV light, pollutants and physical damage. You can do this by either framing your print or placing it in an album. This will ensure that you maximize the life of your print without fading (see permanence guide).
  • Do not keep your prints in extreme temperatures or humidity.
  • Do not allow your print to become wet.
  • Smoke, fumes and air pollutants may fade colours, contaminate and yellow prints. It is best to keep prints framed, in an album or in plastic sleeves, to protect them from external factors.
  • Avoid contact with cardboard, rough paper and other rough materials. They can contaminate the print and scratch the surface. Use soft materials such as plastic sleeves where possible.
  • Avoid touching the printed surface with your fingers or with sharp tips.
  • Once printed, your print is dry to the touch; however it is recommended that you allow the ink to dry for 24 hours before placing behind glass or in an album.

    1. Degredation By Light

    The lifespan of the image is very dependent on the inks and media used as well as exposure to light. The following are recommendations to protect prints against premature fading.

    Recommendations:

    • Frame them behind glass, (leaving a space between the image and the glass).
    • Using low light conditions for display, keep them away from direct sunlight and not too close to a window (see graph of typical home illumination) and avoid direct sun.