When printing your art on paper, not just any type or brand would do. Not at all! You’ll need the best paper for Art Print to bring out the best in your art.
Otherwise, your art would either come out dull or dark, or the ink will seep through the paper. Even when you are using the highest quality printer and the nest possible ink cartridges, it is the quality of the paper that matters a lot for printing your art.
There are a lot of paper types to choose from, especially when you are looking for the best paper for making art prints. From the usual papers we use to write on or print on, to the heavier and better quality ones in matte – there are many options to choose from.
In this article, you’ll know exactly which art paper to choose for printing your art, and what other information you need to know.
Best Paper for Art Print
Here is a list of the 10 most popular and the best paper options specially for printing your art, with all the related information you need to know to make a decision.
1. Canon Luster Photo Paper Letter
Although these paper sheets are primarily manufactured for printing photographs, they can also be used for printing your artwork. This is a set of 50 sheets of paper, 8.5” x 11” in size; the sheets are 10.2 mil or 0.26 mm and they weigh 260g/m2 (69 lbs) each.
The pages have a shiny, luster finish that eliminates any kind of glare or blemishes. These sheets even resist fingerprints and smudges left behind after printing or handling.
Not just for printing your vivid digital art, these pages can also be used for printing high-quality photographs, even wedding photos and portraits.
The papers themselves are extremely light, but they can hold a lot of ink for detailed photographs and paintings.
These sheets of paper are used by professional photographers and artists alike.
They give users the perfect quality results needed to bring out the best in every kind of art or paint, even black and white art. The ink won’t fade over time or even become dull, as they are resistant to fading.
Features:
- Set of 50 sheets
- Each paper is 8.5” x 11” in size
- Full set weighs 260g/m2 (69 lbs)
- Smooth and lustrous surface
- Perfect for all kinds of art and painting
- Can even be used for black and white prints
- Doesn’t fade or become dull over time
- Perfect both for digital art, paintings and photographs
- Sheets are 10.2 mil or 0.26 mm in depth
- Used by professionals
- Traditionally resin coated for professional photographers
- Delivers stunning colors and results
- Prints lasts a lifetime
2. Epson Premium Presentation Paper MATTE
Any kind of art, prints or photographs that you print on these sheets of papers would come out looking of the highest quality and exceptional.
Each set comes with 100 sheets of paper, each of them 8.5” x 11” in size. For everyday use or special occasions, these sheets are resistant to smudges, water and fading.
The papers are all extremely fast-drying. Once printed, anything on these sheets – photographs or art – will last a lifetime without fading or becoming dull.
Each sheet comes with a bright-white and smooth finish that perfectly suits artwork of any kind and color combination.
The paper is also a non-glare one, so that the ink is perfectly absorbed by the paper and shows off your art to its fullest quality.
Features:
- Set of 100 sheets
- Each paper is 8.5” x 11” in size
- Full set weighs 279g/m2 (44 lbs)
- Sheets are 9 mil in depth
- Non-glare, bright-white and smooth surface
- Perfect for all kinds of art, photographs and paintings
- Fast drying paper
- Doesn’t fade or become dull over time
- Resistant to smudges and water
- Heavyweight paper for multiple purposes
- Works with all types of inkjet printers
- Produces highly saturated images
- Perfect for non-glare photographs
- Remarkable color production
3. Nature Print Paper NPP40 Sun Activated
Not your average average printing paper, these sheets from Nature Print Paper makes it possible for young artists to create images that can be easily frameable.
In a matter of minutes, anything can be printed on these sheets with the help of both man-made of natural objects.
The set contains 40 sheets of paper, each of them 5” x 7” in size.
The paper comes ready to be framed after the printing process is complete, One minute in the water and 2-3 minutes of exposure in the sun, and the printing process would be complete without the need for any digital printer.
In the absence of sunlight, bright indoor lights or photoflood bulbs can be used in the printing process or to test the correct length of exposure.
Features:
- Set of 40 sheets
- Each paper is 5” x 7” in size
- Perfect for printing with natural or man-made objects
- Perfect for all kinds of art and photographs
- Takes only a few minutes to complete the printing process
- Comes with a plexiglass sheet to hold the objects in place
- Can work with indoor light or photoflood bulb for exposure.
4. PPD Inkjet Canvas 100% Real Cotton LTR Sheets
These papers come in a set of 10 sheets, each one the standard 8.5” x 11” in size.
They are specially designed for inkjet printers, which means that these sheets can be used for printing anything, including all kinds of digital art, paintings and high-quality photographs. Each sheet is 340 gsm, and has a thickness of 17 mil.
In bright white color and a matte finish, these papers are perfect for giving you a matte finish for any kind of print. The paper absorbs the ink instantly, which makes the drying process a very fast one.
No matter how detailed the art or the photograph is or how much ink is on the paper, drying will be quick and hassle-free.
These sheets are compatible with any high-quality inkjet printers and can be used for a number of projects – from regular household use to intense printing.
Features:
- Set of 10 sheets
- Each paper is 8.5” x 11” in size
- Full set weighs 125 lbs
- Sheets are 17 mil thick
- Bright white and matte surface
- Perfect for all kinds of art, photographs and paintings
- Fast drying paper
- Works with all types of inkjet printers
- Made from 100% cotton
- Allows high-resolution and high-quality printing results
- Real cotton texture and surface
- Can work with any inkjet ink, dye-based and pigmented ink
- No special equipment needed for printing
- Water resistant
- Easy-feed coating for smooth feeding into the printer
5. Strathmore (59-701) Textured Inkjet Paper
High-quality sheets of paper that can be used in all kinds of printing jobs, whether you are working with digital art, photographs or making prints. This is a set of 25 sheets, each 8.5” x 11” in size and weighs 80 lbs together.
Made in the United States, these sheets are white in color and have a slight texture.
Not just for printing on, these sheets from Strathmore can also be used for replicating watercolor or pastel artwork.
Features:
- Set of 25 sheets
- Each paper is 8.5” x 11” in size
- Full set weighs 80 lbs
- Bright white in color
- Slightly textured
- Perfect for all kinds of art, photographs and paintings
- Works with all types of inkjet printers
- Allows high-resolution and high-quality printing results
- Can be used for replicating pastel or watercolor artwork
6. 11”x14” Premium Arctic Matte Inkjet Paper
You can use these 11”x14” premium paper for almost anything in your inkjet paper, not just for printing your art. They work perfectly with inkjet paper of most reputed brands, including HP, Canon and Epson.
These acid-free and environment-friendly papers are safe for everyone to use, even children. These sheets are even certified to be safe under the ISO 9706 Standards.
With a beautiful bright-white matte finish, these art paper can work with all kinds of printers that use both dyes or pigment-based ink; the sheets dry instantly and can be both hot- or cold-pressed.
The pages are glare-free, meaning you can print anything on them and they would come out perfectly. Black or white photographs, art work, colorful paintings, sketches and doodles – these can all be printed on these bright white pages.
This is a set of 50 sheets where all the pages are 11”x14” in size, and they are perfect for printing posters, photographs, artwork, POS Signage and CAD designs.
Features:
- Set of 50 sheets
- Each paper is 11” x 14” in size
- Bright white in color
- Smoothe, matte finish
- Perfect for all kinds of art, photographs, posters, CAD and POS Signage
- Works with all types of inkjet printers
- Acid-free and environment-friendly papers
- Certified safe under ISO 9706 Standards
- Perfect for both dyes or pigment-based ink
- Works with most printers
- Glare-free paper
7. Printable Inkjet Primed Gessoed Canvas Sheets
These sheets of paper have been made from 100% high-quality cotton canvas, manufactured with 2 layers of acrylic gesso. This makes the sheets extremely sturdy and almost impossible to tear.
The sheets are also water resistant, so you can even use watercolors on them to paint, and the paper won’t tear. When used for printing, these sheets can hold a lot of ink for extremely detailed artwork and painting.
This is a set of 20 sheets of paper, each 8.5” x 11” in size. They are not just water resistant, but resistant to bending, warping or folding.
These acid-free sheets are of archival quality and safe to use. Anything you want to print on these sheets won’t fade or become discolored over time.
You can use these pieces of canvas sheets in any kind of inkjet printer from any reputed brand.
Whatever you print on these sheets will be produced with extreme accuracy, colorful or black and white.
Features:
- Set of 20 sheets
- Each paper is 8.5” x 11” in size
- Made from 100% high-quality cotton canvas
- 2 layers of acrylic Gesso makes the paper extremely sturdy
- Water resistant
- Resistant to folding, warping and bending
- Archival-quality paper
- Acid-free and safe to use
- Perfect for all kinds of art, photographs and paintings
- Works with all types of inkjet printers
- Produces extremely accurate prints of all kinds of artwork
- Prints doesn’t fade or discolor with time
8. Hamilco White Cardstock Thick Paper
Of thick cardstock quality, this is a set of 50 sheets of paper from Hamilco that is acid-free, durable and affordable. In fact, if you want to print extremely detailed photographs or artwork, this is the kind of sturdy paper that you need.
Each sheet is 8.5” x 11” in size, 216 GMS and has a 96 brightness.
Bright white and smooth, these sheets can be used not just for printing artwork and photographs, but can also be used for personalizing stationary, making brochures, awards, certificates, menus for restaurants and cafes, and other similar purposes.
The sheets are packaged securely and in elite packaging, so that your sheets of paper reach you intact and perfect in every way.
Anything printed on these cardstocks, even when you use your regular home inkjet printer, wil look professional and efficient.
Sheets of paper from Hamilco can be used in both inkjet and laser printers, as well as in copiers.
Features:
- Set of 50 sheets
- Each paper is 8.5” x 11” in size
- 216 GSM and 96 brightness
- Full set weighs 80 lbs
- Extremely bright white in color
- Perfect for stationary, painting, printing, menu, awards and certificate
- Works with all types of laser and inkjet printers
- Works in a copier
- Securely packaged and delivered
- Acid-free and safe to use
- Affordable printing
- Made in the United States of America
- Heavyweight, sturdy paper
9. 100% Cotton Fine Art Matte Finish Inkjet Paper
Extremely high-quality paper for printing all types of fine artwork, photographs and painting. Made from 100% cotton rags, these sheets are made from natural base material and safe to use.
They contain no OBA and will last for a lifetime, which makes them perfect for archives. You can print anything on these sheets for storing, and the quality will remain the same for decades.
With a thickness of 16 mil and 325 GSM, these sheets have a professional look and feel.
They are not just perfect for printing artwork, but also to be used for stationary announcements, art sales, invitations, watercolors, professional photographers and all kinds of artists.
Both sides of the paper are coated and ready for printing; you can print on both sides of the paper or use any one side for printing.
The sheets have been rated at 200 years for the prints to fade, depending on the kind of ink used. However, with any ink, each print will last for generations, with any kind of printer or ink you use.
The paper themselves are resistant to fingerprint, scratch and smudges; any ink you use on these sheets will dry instantly, even when the artwork is extremely detailed and uses a lot of ink.
Features:
- Set of 20 sheets
- Each paper is 5” x 7” in size
- Made from 100% cotton rags
- Contains no OBA; safe to use
- Matte finish
- Thickness of 16 mil or 325 GSM
- Perfect for all kinds of art, photographs and paintings
- Perfect for professional and personal use
- Printable on both sides
- Resistant to smudge, scratch and fingerprints
- Dries instantly
- Natural White in color
- Print will last up to 200 years with the right ink
10. Promaster Fine Art Inkjet Paper
Finally, another high-quality paper brand that is made from 100% cotton rag composition.
They are completely acid-free, making these sheets safe to use by everyone. Compatible with most printers, these sheets work best with inkjet printers from Canon. EPSON and HP.
Each sheet of paper is 8.5” x 11” in size, and comes in a set of 50 sheets.
Extremely white and bright, these sheets from Promaster contain no artificial or optical brightening; this makes any print on the paper long-lived and permanent.
With any kind of ink and any inkjet printer, you can get a brilliant output. With a 90% brightness, each sheet has a 210 GSM or 9 mil thickness. Both sides are perfectly coated and ready to print on.
Features:
- Set of 50 sheets
- Each paper is 8.5” x 11” in size
- 90% brightness; slightly off-white color
- Thickness of 210 GSM or 9 mil
- Made from 100% cotton rag composition
- Acid-free and safe to use
- Contains no artificial optical brightener
- Long lasting and permanent
- Works with all types of inkjet printers from EPSON, HP or Canon
What to Look for While Buying Paper for Art Prints
When you are buying paper for regular use, you won’t have to look for any special features in them.
However, when buying paper for printing your artwork on, they have to be special. Papers or sheets need to have some particular features in them that makes them compatible with printing artwork.
In this article, you’ll know exactly what to look for when buying paper to print your artwork.
- Weight
What’s considered as weight when buying the best paper for art print is completely different to the weight of any other object in this world.
Paper isn’t a very heavy object; therefore, when a particular brand of a particular set of paper is considered to be weight, it doesn’t actually mean that the individual sheets are very heavy.
Rather, “weight” refers to the thickness of the sheets. Even “heavyweight” sheets of paper are extremely light compared to anything else.
Commonly, the weight or the thickness of paper is measured in GSM or “Gram per Metre”. The weight of paper can be anywhere from 80 GSM to 400 GSM, or more.
The higher the GSM, the heavier and thicker the paper is going to be. While regular paper for writing or printing documents are under 170 GSM, paper for printing art needs to have a higher GSM.
When a sheet of paper has a high GSM, such as the PPD Inkjet Canvas 100% Real Cotton LTR Sheets that has a 340 GSM, it can hold a lot of ink without the paper getting wet, or the ink bleeding into the paper.
The Hamilco White Cardstock Thick Paper has a relatively lower 216 GSM, but these sheets are also great for printing art.
Paper is also measured in “mil” or the “one-thousandth of an inch”, i.e. 0.001 inch. A “mil” is actually equal to 0.254 milimeters or mm.
A strong trash bag has a thickness of 3 to 6 mils; a sturdy brand of paper, i.e. the 100% Cotton Fine Art Matte Finish Inkjet Paper, has a thickness of 16 mil and Canon Luster Photo Paper Letter has a thickness of 10.2 mil.
These are all heavyweight and thick paper for printing art work.
- Acid-Free
You might think that being acid-free is simply an added feature, but it is actually extremely important when it comes to the quality of the paper.
When your paper is acid-free, you can use any kind of ink or paint on these sheets and the pages will not discolor over time.
When these best paper for art prints are used for printing artwork, photographs or paintings, you’d want them to last for a long time.
When the sheets are acid-free, anything you print on them will last for decades and not become discolored and faded over time. The ink or paint will not become abrased or peel after a few years as well when the paper are acid-free.
Fortunately, most paper for art prints are acid-free and safe to use by everyone.
- Compatibility
Sets of paper that are compatible with most printers and most common brands of ink are the easiest ones to use. Epson Premium Presentation Paper MATTE, for example, are manufactured by EPSON but they are compatible with inkjet printers of most reputed brands.
The PPD Inkjet Canvas 100% Real Cotton LTR Sheets, can also be used with high-quality inkjet printers of most reputed brands. Besides, these sheets of paper are compatible with any dye-based, inkjet ink and pigmented ink.
- Material
The best paper for art prints are made from cotton, or other components of cotton.
The Printable Inkjet Primed Gessoed Canvas Sheets, for example, are made from 100% cotton canvas and the 100% Cotton Fine Art Matte Finish Inkjet Paper are made from high-quality 100% cotton rags.
Cotton is the material that gives paper the most purity and durability, so the best paper for art prints are usually made from cotton.
When cotton is matted with water, the two components are interlocked into creating a surface for printing that has both flexibility and strength.
Cotton canvases and cotton paper are desirable by artists and professionals not just for painting on, but also to print their artwork and photographs on.
- Size
Unfortunately, most paper for art prints come in similar sizes so there aren’t a lot of options available. Most sets are either 8.5” x 11” in size or 5” x 7” in size.
The largest option from the list is the Premium Arctic Matte Inkjet Paper, which is 11” x 14” in size.
The paper from this set is therefore perfect not just for printing artwork, but also for POS signage, large and detailed photographs, posters and CAD designs.
- Color and Texture
When it comes to color, most paper for art printing is white or slightly off-white.
Both when printing black and white art or a colorful one, white paper sheets are the best option for most inkjet printers. All the sets of paper in this article are white or slightly off-white as well, depending on the material used.
The brightness of the color of paper is measured in numbers, from 0 to 100. The higher the number, the brighter the paper is going to be.
With a brightness of 90, the Promaster Fine Art Inkjet Paper is slightly off-white in color, but the Hamilco White Cardstock Thick Paper has a 96 brightness and is dazzlingly white.
In terms of texture, there are multiple options available: smooth, coated, embossed and textured.
However, it is the smooth and the textured paper that are most common. For art prints, smooth paper is the best option as they can perfectly portray anything that’s portrayed on the paper.
- Resistance
The best kind of paper for art print should be resistant to water, making them perfect not just for printing on, but also for using watercolors.
Also, most paper for printing art should be resistant to smudges, scratches, fingerprints and blemishes.
Additionally, the best paper for art prints should ideally be fast drying.
There you have it, all the important features needed in paper for printing any kind of artwork, photographs and paintings.
These paper sheets can also be used for regular writing, drawing and printing work around the house, as well as for printing specialized artwork.
How to Use Paper for Art Prints?
A lot of artists work on digital platforms these days instead of on canvas. Especially since it is possible to print out everything perfectly with an inkjet printer nowadays, more and more artists are opting for creating their art digitally.
It is especially in case of “print on demand” businesses that artists only print out their work when they get an order or a commission.
To bring out the best in their artwork, photographs, sketches, doodles or even paintings, the role of the best paper for art prints cannot be denied.
These specialized paper for printing are used just as regular paper in a printer. However, for this kind of printing, only inkjet printers and special ink should be used.
Especially in case of detailed paintings and photographs, only the highest-quality inkjet printer needs to be used.
Here are a few tips on effectively using specialized paper for art prints:
- For printing photographs, it is better to use paper with a matte finish. For digital art and paintings, smooth textures are better.
- The heavier the paper, the better it is for detailed work. If your artwork or painting has a lot of details and will use a lot of ink, it is better to get a heavyweight paper. Heavier paper will produce a better quality print and you will get a very colorful image when using a high-quality inkjet printer.
- For the best quality print, the settings of your printer might need to be changed. When printing anything, there will be an option to choose the “Best Photo” option, which will give you the best quality print possible by your printer.
- It is also recommended that you use an inkjet printer that is compatible with pigment ink. Pigment inks are both fade-proof and water-proof, and they are perfect for all kinds of artwork.
- The resolution needs to be high when printing art on paper, at least 300 dpi. Therefore, it is better to use printers that can print so high a resolution.
Other than these tips, using these specialized paper in your inkjet printers is just like using regular paper for printing official documents.
Each of the prints might require longer printing time than regular printing, especially if there are a lot of details and colors in the artwork.
Most papers are available in 8.5” x 11” sizes, which fit regular inkjet printers. Even the larger paper sheets which are 11” x 14” will fit in expandable paper trays of most printers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Paper for Art Prints
Q: Can I use photo paper for fine art print?
A: Technically, photo paper can be used in an inkjet printer for printing fine art, but the results won’t be the same. Photographic paper or photo paper is not as high-quality as art print paper and will not give you the best physical representation of your work.
Besides, photo paper isn’t acid-free; these kinds of papers have acid in them, and the acid can make the print fade or crack over time.
Q: Can I print my art in a laser printer?
A: Inkjet printers are best recommendations for fine art print, but in some cases, a laser printer can be used. It all comes down to the type of toner or ink that is used in the printer.
While inkjet printers use liquid ink in printing, laser printers use powdered ink. The difference in the kind of ink used in these two types of printers can make a lot of difference in the quality of the print.
Images and photographs printed in a laser printer gives a more crisper outlook than images printed in an inkjet printer.
However, laser printers can technically be used in printing artwork, although the best result can be achieved by an inkjet printer.
Q: Can I print posters on special Paper?
A: Yes, posters can be printed on these papers using an inkjet printer.
However, posters are usually larger than the standard 8.5”x11” papers, but there are some larger paper brands available for precisely this purpose.
Q: Will the print version look the same as the digital version of my art?
A: Definitely. In fact, if you use a high-quality printer from a reputed brand, the printed version of your artwork will come out looking better than on your computer.
In your computer, you actually view everything at maximum 75 dpi, but a high-quality printer can print images up to 300 dpi.
This way, your photograph or artwork will look better after printing it out on the right kind of paper, using the best settings on your high-quality printer.
Conclusion
Not many times in our life do we have to pay a lot of attention to the kind of paper we are buying, but it does when we are looking for special paper for printing artwork.
Whether you are printing photographs, paintings, sketches or any other kind of artwork, the right type of paper is just as important as using the best printer or the quality of the art.
Great info on papers! Had no idea what to look for until I read this. Thanks, much!!