Glossy vs. Matte vs. Satin vs. Canvas: How to Choose the Best Print Finish for Your Photos
- Troy Massey
- Mar 27
- 4 min read
Glossy Paper: Ilford Metallic Gloss Paper - Vibrant Colours with Trade-Offs
Glossy photo paper is a popular choice for professional photo printing in Australia, offering rich color saturation, deep contrasts, and a high-impact finish. The smooth, reflective surface enhances vibrancy, making colors appear more intense and details sharper. This makes it ideal for high-contrast images, landscapes, and professional photography prints where you want a bold, eye-catching look.
However, this brilliance comes at a cost. Glossy paper is more prone to fingerprints, scratches, and glare, making it less suitable for images displayed under bright lights or handled frequently. Additionally, glossy prints are less archival than matte or fine art paper, as the coating can degrade over time, and exposure to UV light may cause fading.
At Gold Coast Prints, we offer high-quality photo printing services using archival-grade glossy, matte, and fine art papers, ensuring the best option for your prints. Whether you’re a professional photographer or printing landscape photography of the Gold Coast, we provide museum-quality printing with fast turnaround times in Australia. While glossy prints deliver stunning colour and contrast, choosing the right paper for longevity and presentation is key. Contact us today for expert advice on the best photo printing solutions in the Gold Coast and beyond.
Matte Paper: Ilford Textured Cotton Rag - Timeless Quality with Archival Longevity
For photographers and artists seeking a premium, archival-quality finish, matte fine art papers like Ilford Textured Cotton Rag are an exceptional choice. Unlike glossy paper, matte surfaces produce soft, natural tones with excellent detail retention, making them ideal for fine art photography, black-and-white prints, and high-end portrait prints.
The textured, museum-grade cotton rag used at Gold Coast Prints enhances depth and character, giving images a rich, tactile feel that complements both landscapes and artistic prints.
One of the key advantages of matte paper is its durability and longevity. Free from reflective coatings, it resists fingerprints, glare, and surface damage, ensuring prints remain pristine over time.
Additionally, Ilford’s 100% cotton rag composition provides superior archival stability, meaning your prints will stand the test of time without fading or yellowing. Especially when framed with a Premium UV-filtering glazing like Art Glass or AR acrylic.
At Gold Coast Prints, we specialise in museum-quality photo printing in Australia, offering premium matte and fine art papers that enhance the beauty of your work.
Whether you're printing Gold Coast landscapes, fine art photography, or professional portfolios, our expert photo printing services here on the Gold Coast ensure exceptional detail, longevity, and a sophisticated finish.
Satin Paper: Canson Platine Fibre Rag - The Perfect Balance of Satin Sheen and Archival Quality and our best selling paper at Gold Coast Prints for Photo printing
For photographers who want the rich depth of a traditional darkroom photo print with the archival longevity of fine art paper,
Canson Platine Fibre Rag is the ideal choice. This premium satin-finish paper combines the best of glossy and matte characteristics, offering deep blacks, smooth tonal transitions, and high sharpness, without the harsh glare of a fully glossy surface. The subtle sheen enhances color vibrancy while maintaining a refined, professional look—perfect for fine art photography, portrait printing, and high-contrast black-and-white images.
Unlike standard glossy papers, Canson Platine Fibre Rag is 100% cotton-based, acid-free, and OBA-free, ensuring museum-grade longevity. It resists fading, discoloration, and surface damage, making it an excellent option for archival-quality prints. The smooth yet slightly textured surface provides an elegant touch, making it a favorite among professional photographers and artists who seek a luxurious, exhibition-quality print.
At Gold Coast Prints, we specialise in high-end fine art and photography printing in Australia, using only the finest materials like Canson Platine Fibre Rag to ensure exceptional photo print quality and durability. Whether you’re printing Gold Coast seascapes, professional portraits, or gallery-worthy artwork, our expert printing services deliver unparalleled detail, depth, and sophistication.
CANVAS: Hahnemühle Daguerre Canvas - Museum-Quality Canvas Printing with Stunning Detail
For photographers and artists looking to transform their images into gallery-quality canvas prints, Hahnemühle Daguerre Canvas is the ultimate choice. This high-end, poly-cotton fine art canvas offers exceptional color accuracy, deep blacks, and impressive detail reproduction, making it perfect for landscapes, fine art photography, and statement wall prints. With a subtle texture that enhances the depth of an image without overpowering details, it provides a sophisticated, painterly feel that elevates any artwork.
One of the key advantages of Hahnemühle Daguerre Canvas is its museum-grade longevity. The acid-free, OBA-free surface ensures archival stability, preventing yellowing or fading over time, even when displayed in well-lit environments. The matte finish reduces glare, making it ideal for large-format prints that need to maintain their impact from any viewing angle.
At Gold Coast Prints, we specialize in premium canvas printing in Australia, using Hahnemühle Daguerre Canvas for stunning, durable, and professionally crafted prints. Whether you’re printing Gold Coast beachscapes, fine art portraits, or custom wall art, our expert printing ensures your images are transformed into luxury, long-lasting pieces perfect for home or gallery display.
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