Available Papers
There are hundreds of choices of a papers for printing photographs. I have curated this list of Fine Art papers from the vast pool of potential candidates. I believe they represent the best options from the finest papers available. They are all high-end papers created specifically for producing works of Fine Art. You can find further descriptions and information about these papers on line. In some cases, see samples. The choice of paper is a personal one. Even the best photographers differ in their personal aesthetics.
Hahnemuhle Photo Rag — Fine Art Smooth Matte Paper
A classic paper with a smooth surface and an ever-so-slight soft texture that offers great detail, deep blacks, and brilliant colors. It has a matte surface and is considered an outstanding and versatile paper for both color and black and white reproductions. It is a favorite among photographers around the world. This baryta paper does not contain optical brighteners. Its very subtle surface provides for deep blacks and vivid colors. The paper’s designers intended it for Fine Art applications. A versatile popular choice because of its ability to reproduce detail and deep blacks.
Hahnemuhle William Turner — Matte Moderate Texture
This is a museum quality, mold-made-paper. It is a white watercolor-style paper with a strong texture that gives a sense of depth and 3 dimensionality to an image. Both black & white and color images emerge from this paper with a striking visual depth. A 100% cotton paper with no optical brighteners added. Its premium coating enhances the reproduction of color and greyscale images with excellent tonal contrast.
Hahnemuhle Torchon — A Strong Textured Matte Paper
A bright white cellulose paper with a distinct felt-like texture. It reproduces bright colors and preserves detail in the deep blacks. It has accurate greyscale reproduction. It was specifically designed for the Fine Arts. Its heavy texture renders remarkable detail. Good tonal separation in dark areas. Richer than usual blacks for a matte paper. Colors pop.
Hahnemuhle Fine Art Baryta Satin — A Satin/Luster Paper
A paper with a very subtle texture and a satin-gloss finish with no optical brighteners. It has and warmer white tone. It reproduces intense colors, extremely deep blacks, and fine sharpness. Barium sulfate in the coating and a special microporous layer allows for remarkably dark blacks and is perfect for B&W photographic art. It meets the most exacting requirements for age resistance. and produces stunning Fine Art reproductions.
MOAB Lasal Exhibition Luster - A Very Smooth Smile-Gloss Luster Paper
A bright white versatile paper that produces sharp vivid images. It has an extra wide color gamut producing smooth tones throughout the image. It boast a very high D-Max and great saturation giving images a little extra pop. It contains OBAs. This paper is often used for gallery and exhibitions. It’s luster coating adds to it’s great blacks, contrast, and vivid colors
MOAB Entrada Bright Rag - Matte
A winning flagship paper for MOAB, this is a bright white smooth paper with a delicate minimalist texture. A cold press paper known for its sharpness and expanded color gamut. It contains optical brighteners. It is considered an excellent choice for black and white photographs. This paper has an amazing amount of detail. Its surface makes it suitable for displaying in a variety of of lighting conditions.
Canson Print Making Rag - Matte/Satin
It is manufactured on a cylinder mold that gives it a very fine even texture. Meets museum grade standards. A matte finish with a pure white tone. PrintMaKing Rag has matte finish with a unique pure white tone without optical brighteners. This exceptional paper is ideal for fine art prints and photographs.
Epson Exhibition Fiber - Glossy
This paper has a high D-max and very slight warm tone but is very bright white. It has a fantastic tonal range making it great for both color and black and white images. It can be reminiscent of silver halide papers. It contains optical brighteners.
Canson - Platine Fiber Rag
A high D-max paper with a pure white tone without the use of optical brighteners. It has exceptional grey tonal reproduction for black and white photographs, as well as color photographic prints.
This semi-gloss paper is the digital version of the well-known 100% cotton paper used in more traditional photo printing. Like the original Baryta Fiber paper, this paper has an extremely high D-Max and clear grey tonal qualities. A great choice for B&W prints and color images. A wonderful fine art paper continuing a legacy and now setting a high bar for the digital darkroom.
Canson Rag Photographique - Very Smooth Matte
This beautiful paper has a nearly smooth texture. Created from 100% cotton, it is a museum grade fine art paper manufactured to achieve a smooth white tone without optical brighteners. It is known for its archival qualities. It can be a good choice for Black and White images because of its high Dmax. It produces vivid colors.