Congratulations Alex Vincent, March 2024 PFRE Photographer of the Month! The theme this month was "Kitchen". Alex Vincent - #906 Yvonne Raaijmakers - #909 Peter Wingfield - #902 Here's what Alex has to say: Thank you for the award of Photographer of th ...
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Even with high-resolution images and an advanced printer, the final print quality can vary widely depending on your print paper. The following lustre vs glossy guide helps you understand the differences between these two finishes and which finish might suit your photos best.
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Although all print papers are manufactured almost the same way, the smoothness of their surfaces varies depending on the finish. Lustre and glossy are some of the most common coatings applied to photo papers due to their ability to reveal the subject's true color.
These papers are versatile; you can use them to print architectural, street, portrait, landscape, real estate, and wildlife photos. Like other types of print papers, these papers come in a wide range of sizes, such as tabloid (11 x 17 inches), legal (8.5 x 14 inches), and letter (8.5 x 11 inches).
Lustre is a print paper with a rough texture, rougher than glossy paper, and smoother than matte paper. Lustre finish is versatile, and the papers come with varying degrees of finish smoothness.
For instance, there are lustre papers like Ilford GALERIE with a rough surface, almost like that of a matte finish, known as semi-gloss or satin, and lustre papers with a shiny finish, almost like that of glossy papers, known as pearls.
Glossy refers to a photo paper that has a polished finish with shiny coatings on the surface. This makes glossy papers like HP shiny and reflective even if you print with dark tones. The extra layer of shiny coatings also makes glossy papers easier to touch than other paper types.
Although the glossy and lustre printing paper coatings might look the same at a glance, the finish is different, making the printed photos have the following similarities and differences.
Keeping in mind that lustre is semi-shiny and semi-smooth, its finish properties are almost the same as those of glossy, making the two photo papers have the following similarities.
Although glossy and lustre print papers are high-quality and can be printed with inkjet printers, their differences in smoothness and shininess of the finish make them have the following reflective and smudge-resistance differences.
If you print real estate photos to showcase in exhibitions, there is a high chance the photos will exchange hands. Even if the hands are clean, the human hand's skin tends to excrete some sweat, and the hands might be sweaty and oily.
Keeping in mind that lustre papers are more absorbent than glossy papers, they tend to absorb the oils and reduce the effect of the fingerprints on the paper. Also, the rough texture of the lustre papers means a smaller surface area of the paper will be in contact with the hand.
This makes the distribution of the fingerprints and smudges on the paper inconsistent, reducing their effects. On the other hand, glossy papers are smooth, making the entire surface area of the paper under the grip to be in contact with the hand. Glossy is also less absorbent and shiny, making fingerprints and smudges more visible.
Contrast refers to a photo's visual ratios of varying colors and tones. A photo looks more detailed, sharp, and clear when there is a high contrast between the tones. Contrast also helps to define the different elements in an image, giving a feeling of edginess.
Since glossy papers have a smooth polished surface, they reveal the details of the colors and tones in a sharper, clearer, more vibrant, and more saturated manner. That means glossy papers can reveal interior lights, soft shadows, and hard shadows more naturally and realistically.
On the other hand, the dull finish of the lustre paper tends to reduce the contrast by hiding some tones and colors. For instance, it can be challenging to distinguish between light-green and green patterns on a real estate lawn when the photo is printed on a lustre printing paper.
Regardless of the photo paper you use, there is a high chance the paper will discolor over time when exposed to environmental elements. There are also chances of the photo getting smudges, fingerprints, or even curling when you keep holding it by hand.
You can protect your photos by putting them in a photo frame with a glass or acrylic window, such as the Twing Acrylic Double-sided Frame. Although glass is transparent, glossy paper's polished and shiny finish creates a mirror-like reflection when you put it beneath the glass, making it challenging to view the photo.
As a result, you might need to tilt the photo frame at different angles to view the photo without bouncing back the light to your eyes. On the other hand, lustre photos are not so shiny, and the resulting glare is minimal. This allows you to view your photos under glass frames without tilting.
The major distinguishing factor between lustre and glossy papers is finish. Generally, luster photos have a moderately shiny finish. This finish is shiny enough to reveal the details of the subjects in an image without causing glare, even when viewing the photos in harsh lighting.
This finish also makes lustre papers soft and textured. On the other hand, the finish of the glossy papers is smooth and shiny, giving your photos an almost glass-like appearance. The finish makes these papers delicate, and the photo might look low-quality and dirty if mishandled.
Since lustre makes the photo have a soft and textured surface that doesn’t cause glare even under harsh lighting, it might be the best print paper to use in the following situations.
Keeping in mind that a glossy finish gives the photos a smooth and reflective surface that enhances color vibrancy and saturation for enhanced contrast, it might be the best print paper to use under the following circumstances.
Keeping in mind that the lustre finish is less reflective, it’s more versatile than the glossy finish as you can view the photos in a wide range of lighting conditions without glare. Lustre also comes with varying shiness and roughness levels, allowing you to choose an option that suits your needs best.
The above lustre vs glossy guide reveals the dull looks and rough texture of the lustre finish and how they make it suitable for professional printing jobs. The glossy finish is shiny and smoother, ensuring higher image sharpness and clarity. This makes glossy ideal for printing portraits and family photos.
