The Right Paper for the Right Results

At American Frame, we think quality fine art or photographic printing starts with the best paper. That’s why we stock a wide variety of darkroom and gallery-quality papers.

The right paper can go a long way in creating the desired effect in your art. And we have a paper for nearly any look, from glossy photographic papers to textured watercolor papers, each with an archival rating of at least 60 years, which means it will be six decades before any change to the art under normal environmental conditions. Papers vary in the way they absorb ink and reflect light. Our resin-coated photographic papers are Epson Premium Glossy, and Epson Premium Luster, which are the same paper with either a glossy or lustrous finish. We also offer Canson Baryta Photographique 310, typically used for black and white photography, features a clay-coat finish mimicking traditional dark-room papers and lastly in the coated category, the Slickrock Metallic Pearl has an extra shiny finish to make colors pop with the edginess of a metallic finish. The matte-finished photographic paper is Moab Lasal Photo Matte, an exceptional choice for image sharpness and thus is our recommended all-purpose paper. Our selection of matte, fine art papers include Epson Hot Press Bright, perfect to capture geometric shapes, Hahnemuhle Photo Rag, a great pick for organic or nature scenes, EpsonSomerset Velvet, which gives images a soft, warm and slightly textured appearance, and Canson Infinity Arches Aquarelle, which we recommend for watercolor art.

Each paper has an intended purpose, but feel free to use them creatively. A textured paper can make a reproduction of a painting look more like the brushstrokes of the original, for instance, but some artists want their prints to look glossy, so their originals stand out. In that case, a photographic paper works well. Feeling adventurous? You can also print on canvas, acrylic, or aluminum.
How do you choose the right paper for your project? Follow this handy flowchart or read our blog post.

 
Trying a new paper? Order a proof. We offer color and resolution proofs on any paper of your choice for $9.50. 

Need more advice on choosing the right paper? Our customer service team is happy to help.