Photo Paper Supplies

Inspiration doesn’t end behind the lens. After you've captured a perfect landscape or family portrait, it's time to put it on display. But for picture-perfect results once your images leave the digital realm, you need high-quality photo printing paper. Staples has a terrific assortment of fine photo paper and supplies. Before you grab a stack, learn how to select the paper that will bring your images to life on the wall:

Start With the Right Finish
Choosing the desired paper coating is a personal preference. Here are the most popular options:

• Glossy photo paper. This sleek surface is a favorite due to its smooth appearance and reflective properties.
  The Fine Print: Produces sharp, crisp images with rich blacks and vibrant, saturated colors.

• Matte photo paper. This subtle finish resembles traditional art paper and produces a refined, elegant result with no glare or reflection.
  The Fine Print: Less susceptible to fingerprints, smudges, or marks.
  

• Semi-gloss paper. Also called satin or luster, this offers a nice balance of reflectivity and texture.
  The Fine Print: Produces stunning images with flatter contrast and no glare.

Other Characteristics to Consider
Some paper is heavier and more durable. Others provide brighter, more vivid colors. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Photo paper weight. The heavier the paper, the less prone it is to bend or buckle. Photo paper thickness typically ranges from 7 to 10 millimeters, and weight ranges from 28 to 125 pounds. The heavier the stock, the better the saturation of ink. For superior strength and longevity, consider an acid-free paper.
Pro Tip: Before choosing a heavier weight paper, be sure your printer can handle it.

Whiteness and brightness. These two qualities are not the same. Whiteness refers to the shade of the paper, whereas brightness refers to the paper's ability to reflect light. The brightness of photo paper typically falls in the high 90s on a scale of 1 to 100.
Pro Tip: Since there are many shades of white, make a side-by-side comparison of shades when choosing.

Photo paper size. From standard to poster size, there's a wide range of choices available. These are the most popular:

4"x6" — An ideal choice because the size mirrors the aspect ratio of most digital cameras.

5"x7" — Perfect for printing photos that fit standard picture frames.

8.5"x11" — Great for black-and-white images and enlargement photos; the largest size before getting into panorama, poster, and custom size paper.

With reams and reams of options, Staples has all the tools you need to do the job right. So, snap to it and transfer those stunning images from the screen to the wall.