The quality of any developed print will depend on the photo paper you use for the purpose. That is why a photo paper is an important consideration for any photographer. Although the task seems easy or worthless, selection of the right kind of paper can be a serious affair as the quality of your work also depends on it. So let’s check some important aspects of a photo paper.

Opacity: plays an important role so that when you develop the photograph the image should not bleed through the other side. So choose a photo paper with proper opacity.

Brightness: varies considerably when we talk about paper. That is why it is better to compare two papers side by side to determine the brightness you are looking for. The brightness is measured on the scale of 1-100 and if the manufacturer mentions the level of brightness, go in for anything above 90.

Weight: is important as it is also related to the quality of the paper. The best weight of the photo paper should be 24 to 71 lb. (90 to 270 g/m2) range. This will help you to get the desired results.

Caliper: photo papers are heavier and thicker than compared to general purpose papers. Caliper is the thickness of the paper which is necessary to accommodate the greater ink coverage typically found in photos. Caliper of the photo paper should be 7 to 10 mils.

Photo Paper Type: the photo papers are available in two types as glossy and matt. Glossy finish looks shiny, reflects light very well and looks vibrant and color rich. Matte finish on the other hand does not reflect much light and looks dark and dull.