Choosing paper for fine art prints

Matte, lustre and cotton rag, and why the paper changes the photograph. Here is how it comes together, step by step.

Inside the studio

Studio days are about control: shaped light, a clean background and time to refine every detail. They suit fashion work, portraits for professional use and anyone who wants a classic, timeless look.

Caring for prints

Hang prints away from direct sunlight and damp walls. Archival paper and inks last for generations when they are treated well, so a little care keeps them looking as they did on the day they arrived.

Why print at all

A photograph on a screen is seen for a second. A print on a wall is seen every day. Printing a few favourite frames is the simplest way to make a session part of your home and your life rather than a folder you rarely open.

Paper and finish

Matte papers feel calm and painterly, lustre papers add a little depth to colour, and cotton rag gives the richest blacks and a beautiful surface. I recommend matte or cotton rag for portraits, and lustre for vivid street scenes.

Choosing the size

Measure the wall and aim for a print that covers roughly two thirds of the space above the furniture beneath it. If you are unsure, tape a sheet of paper of the size you are considering to the wall and live with it for a day.

This is a sample post used to preview the Journal layout.