Glossy vs matt photos: your ultimate guide

We’ve covered glossy vs lustre prints, but now it’s time for the ultimate showdown: glossy vs matt photos. 

What does each one really mean, what are the differences, and when it’s finally time to print, which one should you choose? Let’s dive in!

Glossy photo prints are an absolute classic. They’re smooth, vibrant, and modern. 

With striking colours and strong contrast, it’s no surprise that so many of us reach for glossy prints to show off our snaps. 

Matt photo prints are subtle and sophisticated. They may not bring the sharpness of gloss, but the trade-off is beautifully soft colours.

The best type of photo print finish depends on what sort of look you're after. Glossy photo paper is the winner for bold, bright looks, whereas matt suits soft and subtle snaps.

Our overall verdict on glossy vs matt? If you want to create an impression, go for glossy. It shines a spotlight on your memories like no other print finish, which is why it's a go-to choice for a personalised gift!

If you find yourself getting confused between the pros and cons of matt vs glossy prints, it’s not just you. There's a lot of misinformation out there. Let’s clear a few things up!

Glossy photos are prone to fingerprint marks, but that doesn’t mean you have to keep them away from your scrapbooks! Simply pop them in a protective cover and fill your scrapbooks with vibrant glossy prints.

It’s true that matt photos are more versatile in terms of lighting and fingerprints. They don’t produce glare and they hide fingerprint marks well. 

Does this make them more versatile in every way? Absolutely not! For a start, if we’re talking moisture, glossy is a winner every time as it’s moisture-resistant. 

You’ll know by now that matt photos are known for being less bold, but it doesn’t mean they have to look dull! For the right type of photo, matt photo printing draws out colour in a beautifully soft way. 

Neither! The answer is right in the middle.

Lustre photo prints are separate to both matt and glossy photos. Lustre is a semi-gloss finish, so it brings the boldness of gloss without the drawbacks. It’s the ideal middle-ground option for lots of people.

Forget the fingerprints and glare of gloss and say goodbye to the oh-so-soft details of matt. With lustre, you can embrace lively colours and reduced glare all at once, at no extra cost! Lustre is a similar price to matt, and cheaper than gloss. 

Framing it, of course! Your glossy print is at its best when it’s placed in an elegant frame. If you’d rather leave the frame for now, your shiny photos can still steal the show in an unframed wall collage.

Matt or lustre wall art is better if your room has bright lighting, but glossy prints will bring sharp detail and bold colour to your wall.

When you’re flicking through a photo album, reminiscing on the past, it’s gloss that delivers. 

Glossy prints do come with more glare, so keep this in mind. If you’re after a low-maintenance print for albums, you might want to opt for matt. 

Matt finish photos are the more reliable choice when it comes to being resistant to fingerprints and glare. If colour and sharpness is your main priority, we’d go for gloss.