It all boils down to personal opinion when it comes to selecting the correct inkjet paper for digitally printed reproductions of your artwork. However, some papers are more suited to particular art forms than others, and selecting the right paper for your project can be as much an art as it is a science. Because not all printers are compatible with all papers, the first determining element is the type of printer you're using.
Most fine art printers favour aqueous printing, which has the most compatible papers on the market and newer models with 10- and 12-ink possibilities for larger colour gamuts that are truer to the original.Here are some pointers to help you choose the right fine art paper for your next artwork.
Paper Weight
Fine art papers are measured in per square metre, with lighter weights in the 200 gsm range and higher weights above 300 gsm. If you're delivering the image to someone rather than framing it, the heavier alternatives tend to lay flat more and make for an appealing presentation.
Paper Base and Coating
Cotton frequently referred to as "rag," will be the most luxuriant paper base and covering. These are usually more expensive and have a longer life span, as well as meeting the highest printing standards for museum-quality reproduction. It's easier to create and less expensive to use alpha-cellulosic choices, which are 75 percent alpha cellulosic and 25 percent cotton.
These fine art papers can have micro porous coatings that dry rapidly and give them a more art-like feel, or resin coatings that have a smoother texture and a higher DMAX, which is useful for black-and-white artwork or photography.
Finish
With a paper's finish, your personal preference will undoubtedly play a role, although some finishes are better suited to certain styles of artwork. A matte finish, for example, will enhance that painterly impression while also adding texture and reducing glares, making it a suitable choice for painting reproductions. Matte coatings, on the other hand, have a lower DMAX; therefore blacks may seem less intense.
For graphic reproductions, a semi-gloss sheen is frequently preferable, but gloss sheen will result in extreme contrast and a lot of reflection. Gloss is the least forgiving of image flaws such as dust or low resolution, but it is a popular choice for photo reproduction. When it comes to the finish, print your design on numerous types of papers and get comments.
Texture
A piece of fine art paper with more texture will feel more artistic. A canvas is an excellent example of a medium texture that feels almost like fabric and meets Wilhelm Archival Quality Standards, allowing it to last for up to and beyond 200 years. Baryta paper is preferred by artists who work in black-and-white and require a high level of detail due to its ultra-smooth, texture-free surface.
Conclusion
You might be surprised how much people prefer a fine art print over another.Consider your preferences in the above features and how they function for different sorts of artwork once you've narrowed down your printer compatibility.
Finally, printing on paper is a delicate procedure. If you're working with fine prints, interleaving is a good way to safeguard them. Stacking prints and then pulling one out from below is never a smart idea.
