“Hey Posterjack! I have a photo I want you to print for me but I don’t know whether to go with a matte or glossy finish. Which is better?”
Ultimately, one isn’t better than the other and choosing between matte or glossy prints comes down to personal preference, but there are a few things you can consider before making a decision.
Matte vs. Glossy Photo Prints
Our Satin Matte Poster Prints and Glossy Poster Prints have a few similar characteristics, such as:
- The colours in your photo remain true
- The photo paper has a smooth/uniform surface
- Details are crisp and vivid
- Photos are printed using the giclee (inkjet) method for a gorgeous continuous tone look
- Photo prints are fade-resistant for 200+ years
- They’re printed using proprietary PJ-PRINT™ software, creating sharp prints at a large scale
- They’re made using eco-friendly, water-based, and non-toxic inks
In addition to these similarities, both products are available in over 50 different sizes, are priced the same, and are shipped in a protective tube, so your photos will arrive in perfect condition. That being said, there are times when you may want to choose a matte finish over a glossy finish, or vice versa.
When to Print Your Photo on Glossy Paper
If you love the look of a shiny, high-gloss finish, a Glossy Poster Print is the way to go. The colours in your photo will pop and get the attention it deserves. Nearly all types of photography look great printed on a glossy surface too; black & white images, landscape photos, high-contrast shots, portraitures, and so on. Glossy prints are eye-catching and have an upscale feel to them.
When NOT to Print Your Photo on Glossy Paper
The disadvantage to a high-gloss finish is that it produces a glare, so it’s not the best choice if you plan to display your photo in areas where there’s a lot of bright light. If your print is going to be handled a lot, glossy probably isn’t for you either, as fingerprints and smudges can show up on the surface. And lastly, Glossy Poster Prints are not recommended for low contrast/subtle gradient images or desaturated/pastel photos. The colours will still be true, but due to the glare a glossy print produces, it’s harder to see the transitions in contrast compared to a matte finish.
When to Print Your Photo on Matte Paper
You really can’t go wrong printing your photo on our Satin Matte Poster Prints. Whether you’re printing low contrast or high contrast images, black and white portraits or HDR landscapes, group photos or macros, when printed on the 250 GSM satin matte photo paper with our world-class printers and premium inks, the colours, textures, and details in your photo will look incredible. Choosing a matte finish for your images also means no glare and no fingerprints, so if you want to display your photos in rooms with bright overhead lighting or you think your images will be handled a lot, you will definitely want to choose this over a print with a glossy finish.
When NOT to Print Your Photo on Matte Paper
The main reason you wouldn’t want to print your photo on matte paper is if you’re set on having photo prints that have a shiny, high-gloss finish. Our Satin Matte Poster Prints are very popular and super versatile. The other time you might choose to not print on matte paper is if you want an entirely different photo art product!
Matte & Glossy Photo Art Products (Beyond Poster Prints)
Once you decide whether you want a glossy or matte finish for your photo, you might want to consider printing on something besides classic photo paper. You can check out all of our photo art products to find that perfect piece, but here are a few of our popular options that cater to both Team Glossy and Team Matte.
Team Glossy
Acrylic Prints are a modern and fresh way to display your photos. Of all our photo art products, this is the one that will really make your photo pop. Super-vivid printing and unmatched depth create a stunning effect you just have to see for yourself. There’s a reason this is our top product!
HD Metal Prints are glossy, vibrant, and ready to make a bold statement on your wall. They’re also lightweight, fade-resistant, and extremely durable.
Our Framed Prints are available is a variety of styles, sizes, and colours. They’re made from solid wood, low-glare framers acrylic, and acid-free mat board. And, of course, they're made in Canada.
An Acrylic Block is made from a perfectly clear, one-inch thick piece of premium cast acrylic that beautifully captures and refracts light; it’s s clear, you can look right through it from end to end! If you want a photo art product for your desk, mantel, or shelf that will have people talking, this one’s for you.
For our Metal Minis, we took our ultra-premium HD Metal Prints and shrunk them down to the perfect desk decor size. Loved by professional photographers, these prints will make your best photos look even better!
Team Matte
Our Canvas Prints are hand-stretched, made in Canada, and printed using our proprietary photo enlargement technology and world-class printers. With their style versatility and satin-matte finish, they’re a wonderful way to display your photo in any room, with any type of lighting.
Learn More: The Benefits of Canvas Printing
The Gallery Box is the new black of interior design. Gallery Boxes are extremely versatile, designer-approved, and will look great no matter where you display them.
Like our HD Metal Prints, Classic White Metal Prints are lightweight, fade-resistant, and extremely durable. They’re also glare-free, vibrant, and suitable for indoor and outdoor display! If you’re curious about the different types of Metal Prints we offer, this video will explain everything!
Photoboards are a great alternative to mounting a photo and are the perfect way to display your photos in a clean, modern style. Already wildly popular in Europe, Posterjack was the first photo printing company to bring them to Canada!
Woodstand Prints are uniquely crafted and made from select Canadian Douglas fir and renewably sourced in British Columbia. We print your photo on a durable ¼-inch thick board and combine it with a sturdy wood stand. A Woodstand Print will take your desk décor to a whole new level.
With all the goodness of our award-winning Canvas Prints, our Canvas Minis are perfect for displaying your favourite photos on your desk, shelf, mantle, tabletop, or wall. They look fantastic displayed as a group too! Stack them, layer them, mix sizes, and let your creativity shine.
Matte Vs. Glossy Photos: What It Comes Down To
When you choose Posterjack to print your photos, you can expect nothing but the best, regardless of whether you choose Satin Matte or Glossy Poster Prints. You will get quality prints that are crisp, vibrant, and fade-resistant. It’s simply a matter of preference: do you want a no-glare, matte finish or would you prefer your photos printed on something that’s super sleek and glossy? If you’re still unsure, why not try both and see first-hand which one your photos look best on? Once you’ve decided, leave a comment letting us know which side you’re on in the longstanding debate of glossy vs. matte. We’d love to know!
