Different paper types affect how your photos appear in print, especially in color, brightness, and detail. This guide explains how matte and lustre papers display images and how to adjust your photos for the best possible results. Following these tips can help ensure your prints look closer to what you expect.
What’s included in this article?
- Editing for Superfine or Matte Paper
- Editing for Lustre Paper
- General Editing Tips for All Paper Types
- Our Product Paper Types and Printing Method
Editing for Superfine or Matte Paper
Matte paper is used across many of our products, including photo books, calendars, prints, and cards. It has a soft, lightly textured finish that creates a warm, muted look.
Because matte paper absorbs more ink:
- Colors appear softer and less vibrant
- Fine details may look slightly reduced
- Dark images can print darker than expected
How to edit for matte paper:
- Increase brightness to prevent images from printing too dark
- Boost contrast slightly to maintain clarity
- Avoid overly dark edits, especially in shadows
Editing for Lustre Paper
Lustre paper is available for select products, including Layflat Albums, Hardcover Photo Books, and Lustre Prints. It has a subtle sheen and holds ink closer to the surface.
This results in:
- Richer, more vibrant colors
- Sharper detail and clarity
- More depth compared to matte paper
How to edit for lustre paper:
- Slightly increase brightness and contrast
- Maintain balanced exposure to preserve detail
- Avoid over-editing, as colors will already appear more vivid
General Editing Tips for All Paper Types
Keep in mind that screens and prints display images differently. Screens are backlit, while printed materials are not, which can make prints appear darker.
To better match your edits to print:
- Lower your screen brightness to about 50–75% while editing
- Check for overly dark shadows or highlights
- Make small adjustments to brightness and contrast as needed