The Top 5 Best Photo Papers for Epson Printers in 2024
- High-quality photo prints require not just a good printer but the right photo paper, chosen based on the type of image and intended display, such as glossy for vivid details or matte for texture.
- Epson printers work best with their own brand's photo papers, but experimenting with other brands can help you achieve different finishes, textures, and durability, depending on your needs.
- Alternatives to photo paper, like cardstock or textured paper, can be more affordable and still deliver excellent results for specific projects like brochures, invitations, or art prints.
High-quality photographs are more than just about an expensive camera, reflector, and filters. Most of these captures will never be seen outside a digital display, sometimes as compressed JPEGs at the lowest quality. So, to truly experience and relive those moments, you’ll need physical prints to display on photo boards, in baby books, on framed walls, etc.
Now like photography, printing is an art in itself, one that requires extensive trial and error along with years of experience to master. While you’ve already selected the best Epson printer, there’s still a need to test various photo papers to finally achieve results that are similar, if not identical, to how the images appear on screen.
Fortunately, with a simplified list like this, it’s only a matter of finding the one-stop-shop for all your printing needs.
Table of Contents:
What Makes a Good Photo Paper?
There isn’t a single photo paper that will work for all your photograph printing, just as there isn’t a single camera setting that suits every photograph in different conditions. So, what does this mean for you as a beginner? Understand your needs and intentions.
The reason there are so many options for photo papers from the start is that each photograph requires careful consideration of what needs to be showcased. So, let’s go back a bit!
Photo papers come in a variety of finishes, brightness levels, and textures, each with a specific use case. For example, a glossy finish is ideal for photographs that require special attention to detail and color, while matte is preferred when the textures in the photograph need to be highlighted.
For double-sided printing, ensure both sides of the photo paper have an ink-receptive layer. If you’re selling your prints at an exhibition, cotton fiber material is the premium option, however, if budget is a concern, alpha cellulose is the way to go. For a fine art look, use canvas paper, and for a historic effect, opt for washi-style paper.
And of course, for the ultimate look and feel of the prints, take your time considering the weight and thickness of the photo paper. Lastly, consider the brands manufacturing the photo papers.
READ MORE: What Are the Best Types of Paper for Printing in 2024? ➜
The Best Photo Paper for Epson Printers
Epson printers are great for premium quality prints and offer a range of options from high-tier to mid-range, as well as some affordable models. However, you need more than just the printer itself. Knowing the different photo paper options available for these printers is what will take your prints to the next level.
1. Epson Ultra Premium Photo Paper
The Epson Ultra Premium photo paper is the top choice for professionals and printers alike for its instant drying and high-quality output. But more so for its ability to mimic traditional silver halide printing. It features a glossy finish, a brightness rating of 97, and a luster finish, all of which help produce vivid colors.
The size options are broad, and for the ink coverage it provides, this photo paper falls into the expensive category, especially if you opt for non-standard sizes.
2. Canson Infinity Rag Photographique
More into fine art printing? Then Canson Infinity Rag Photographique is all you need! This 100% cotton, matte-finish photo paper with an ultra-white color offers long-lasting quality prints. But that’s not all!
This specific photo paper offers the highest D-Max value on the market, measuring the deepest black that can be achieved with a combination of ink and paper. So, the higher the D-Max value, the more detailed and precise your prints will be.
The paper sheets or rolls are available in weights of 210 and 310 gsm and a range of size options. Canson also produces a double-sided version of this paper called the Infinity Rag Photographique II. The versatility and uniqueness, however, come with a higher price.
3. Hahnemühle William Turner
While there are quite a few companies that have made a name in this field, one that remains the original king is Hahnemühle, dating back to 1584.
In fact, it is one of the first manufacturers to go green with initiatives like producing exclusive vegan paper, shifting to renewably powered paper mills, and offering ‘Natural Line‘ products like Bamboo, Hemp, Sugar Cane, and Agave papers. But there’s even a more unique product they offer, Hahnemühle William Turner.
Heavily textured, thick, and exciting to work with, this photo paper can add dimension to any artwork and photographs. It works great for detailed images where higher contrast is required, but not so much if the output has a lot of negative space, obviously due to the amount of roughness it offers.
It comes in 310 and 190 gsm, along with the option of hand-torn deckle edges. You’ll definitely not mind spending a pretty penny for some stunning uniqueness that cannot be beaten.
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4. Xerox Bold Digital Printing Paper
For printing marketing products and invitations, you need the Xerox Bold Digital Printing Paper, primarily because the finish is smooth without any coating or texture. It is compatible with both inkjet and laser printers and comes in two brightness levels: whitest (98) and brightest white (100).
And keeping in mind its main usage, you can bulk buy it in quantities ranging from 500 to 5,000 sheets, that too at an affordable price. The size and weight are also your call to make, with a variety of options available. What more could you ask for?
5. Red River Big Bend Baryta 310
Most photo papers come in a variety of sizes but mainly for 4:3 or 3:2 aspect ratios. For wider aspect ratios like panoramic shots, a common workaround is to fit them into the available size, leaving much unused white space.
Addressing this niche market, Red River Big offers its Bend Baryta 310, providing unique and perfect sizes for wide-aspect ratio prints. In fact, its most distinctive option is the 2.9:1 aspect ratio, which is highly unusual to find from any other manufacturer. It is available in a smooth satin finish in a neutral white tone with a 100% opaque reflective layer of barium sulfate (baryta layer).
READ MORE: What Does CMYK Stand For & Why It Matters in Printing ➜
Photo Paper vs. Alternatives
Photo papers are specifically designed for printing photographs and artwork, but they might seem costly for everyday use and standard tasks. While there are several alternatives, the first step is to determine what you want to achieve with your prints.
The main reason professionals prefer photo paper is because of its ink absorption ability, with a glossy or luster finish that produces vivid colors and high-contrast output. Textured and matte options are also available for artists who wish to prepare prints for exhibitions and sales.
But if you can achieve similar results with another type of printer paper, especially at a considerably lower price, it seems like a smart choice.
There are a range of papers, including glossy, matte, textured, and cardstock options, that are not exclusively photo paper. For example, Neenah White Cardstock Paper offers a smooth finish, high color reproduction, and double-sided prints, making it ideal for commercial products like brochures and flyers.
Or, Strathmore Textured Inkjet Paper, perfect alternative for prints that require texture and detail rather than reflectiveness. Southworth Business Paper, made from cotton, is another option, perfect for printing high-quality photographs with vivid colors without smudging or smearing.
In the end though, it all comes down to two main factors: your use case and affordability.
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Bottom Line
If this was a lot for you to take in as a beginner, you simply cannot go wrong with photo paper from the same brand as your printer. They usually have built-in profiles to ensure images come out exactly as they appear on your screen. But don’t take this as a reason not to try other brands as you progress in your journey!
Best Photo Paper for Epson
Brightness in papers is achieved by adding optical brightening agents (OBAs) to the surface or base coats. OBAs react with UV light to produce a cooler blue tone that counteracts the natural yellows found in paper. However, OBAs tend to fade and can accelerate yellowing over time, especially if exposed to daylight for prolonged periods. This can pose a threat to the longevity of fine art or photographic prints.
While Epson itself suggests using Epson paper for maximum compatibility, you can definitely choose other brands for better value. To ensure quality prints, check if the paper is suitable for your printer, such as inkjet or laser, and consider the ink absorption and color profiles to achieve optimal results.
The existence of various photo paper types speaks to their different use cases. For instance, black-and-white photos are best printed on paper with a higher contrast ratio, landscapes look best with a semi-gloss or gloss finish for that extra color pop, and portraits are well-suited to matte or satin finishes. For photo albums, choose thicker paper with an ink-receptive layer on both sides, and so on.
