| Many of us now own digital cameras and photo | | | | photos that we keep for a lifetime, but I bet we |
| printers enabling us to print photos ourselves at | | | | have all seen old, faded photos. In the digital age |
| home for relatively little cost. Photo papers come | | | | this is usually less of an issue as photos can be |
| in a wide variety and it is often hard for the | | | | more easily reprinted, but especially in applications |
| occasional user to know which ones to use. | | | | where they are exposed to a lot of light, consider |
| Photo papers are classified by five main criteria; | | | | this even short term when buying this paper. |
| Weight of photo paper. Normal paper is usually in | | | | Typical drying time. For one or two photos this is |
| the range of 60 to 100 grams per square metre, | | | | rarely an issue, although certain printers will |
| while photo papers, in order to maintain enough | | | | perform better with different drying speed paper. |
| structure to protect the photo are generally | | | | However, when printing and handling many photos |
| thicker, often towards the top of the 150-300 g | | | | at once quick drying is sometimes necessary. In |
| m^2 range. | | | | general, the quicker an image dries the less robust |
| Image quality achieved. Depending on what sort | | | | it will be, but the quality is usually higher although |
| of viewing you intend for the photo, different | | | | interesting results can be achieved either way. |
| levels of image quality are available. Remember | | | | Gloss. Levels of paper gloss are variable and are |
| that image quality depends also on the quality of | | | | often linked to drying time. Also different gloss |
| the printer, ink and the original image and print | | | | levels can affect the quantities of inks required |
| settings, but with poor image quality photo paper | | | | depending on the print settings available. |
| you cannot achieve great results regardless. | | | | Try and get hold of a sample pack if you are |
| Fade Resistance. Many of us are still used to the | | | | unsure, all photo paper companies offer these. |
| idea of having photo albums and drawers full of | | | | |