Which finish is best for framing?
You have caught the perfect moment and finished the edit, and now it is time to print and frame. One choice remains: glossy or matt?
It may seem a small matter of taste, but the finish of the paper affects how a photo looks in a frame: the strength of the colour, the sharpness, the glare, the fingerprints and even how well it lasts. At EasyFrame we handle thousands of prints, and we have seen glossy prints spoiled by bad lighting, and matt ones lifted by the right frame.
The quick answer
Glossy has a shiny, reflective coating. Colours are vivid, blacks are deep and contrast is high. It is prone to glare and fingerprints.
Matt is flat and non-reflective. There is no glare, it looks professional and it is easy to see in any light. It is the safer choice if the print will touch the glass.
The framing tip: always use a mount with a glossy print, to keep it off the glass.
Glossy: high impact, high shine
Glossy is the classic photo look, and what most high-street printers give you unless you ask for something else.
For
- Vivid colour. The ink sits on the surface, so colours are saturated and punchy.
- Contrast. The deepest blacks, for crisp results.
- Detail. The smooth surface shows fine detail.
Against
- Glare. In a bright room, reflections can hide the image.
- Fingerprints and dust. Every mark shows, and it is hard to clean without risk.
Best for: high-contrast landscapes, bright holiday photos and colourful digital art.
Matt: subtle and professional
Matt is preferred by galleries and fine art photographers, and by anyone who wants a more refined look.
For
- No glare. The surface scatters light, so the picture is clear from any angle.
- An artistic feel. It looks and feels like a gallery print.
- Forgiving. It hides fingerprints, dust and small blemishes.
Against
- Softer colour. The ink sinks into the fibres, so colours are a little less saturated.
- Lower contrast. Blacks can look slightly grey, and the picture is softer.
Best for: black and white photography, portraits, vintage and sepia images, and large prints in bright rooms.
Why framing changes the answer
Glossy prints and glass
A glossy photo pressed directly against glass can show rainbow-coloured, oily-looking patches, known as Newton's rings, where the two smooth surfaces almost touch. Worse, if moisture gets in, the coating can stick to the glass, and the print is ruined when you try to remove it.
The answer is simple. Always add a picture mount, which acts as a spacer and keeps the print clear of the glass. It looks more professional too.
Double glare
A glossy print behind ordinary glass is one mirror on top of another. Better glazing solves it:
- Non-reflective glass diffuses the light and cuts glare, with a slight softening of detail.
- ArtGlass is the premium choice. It is almost invisible, with very little reflection, and lets the colour of a glossy print come through.
The middle way: lustre, satin or pearl
If you cannot decide, lustre has a gentle sheen and a fine texture.
- Colour almost as strong as glossy.
- Reflections broken up almost as well as matt.
- Resistant to fingerprints, and good-looking behind glass.
Which should you choose?
Choose glossy if:
- the picture is full of rich, bright colour, such as flowers, sunsets or beaches
- you want the greatest sharpness and detail
- you will frame it with a mount
Choose matt if:
- it is black and white, or has subtle tones
- it will hang in a bright room with windows or lights opposite
- you are framing it edge to edge, with no mount
- you want a gallery or fine art look
Final thoughts
A frame should celebrate a photo, not compete with it. The right finish, with a mount and suitable glazing, makes all the difference.
Already printed on glossy? Do not worry. Use our mount designer to add protection and elegance, or choose one of our made-to-measure frames with anti-reflective glazing from the start.
Need help or ideas? Browse our wood picture frames, call 01234 856 501 or email sales@easyframe.co.uk.