Glossy or Matte Prints? I submit work to a charity art show. I usually provide framed matte finished prints, but I wonder if I should be providing Glossy instead. (All my prints are...

BudsOwl Loc: Upstate NY and New England

I submit work to a charity art show. I usually provide framed matte finished prints, but I wonder if I should be providing Glossy instead. (All my prints are done professionally by McGreevy Pro Lab, a local service in Albany, NY. They do a great job at reasonable prices.) McGreevy is the one who recommended matte finish. I would appreciate advice from those of you who display and sell prints.

Bill_de Loc: US

I don't like glossy unless super detail is more important than a pleasing look. There are other choices between Glossy and Matte. Luster, Stiple, etc., but Matte works for me for most prints.

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boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

WF2B wrote:

I submit work to a charity art show. I usually provide framed matte finished prints, but I wonder if I should be providing Glossy instead. (All my prints are done professionally by McGreevy Pro Lab, a local service in Albany, NY. They do a great job at reasonable prices.) McGreevy is the one who recommended matte finish. I would appreciate advice from those of you who display and sell prints.

How are your prints received ? If the charity likes the prints, and have not asked for any change, then stay with matte. Or maybe make 2 prints, 1 matte and 1 glossy and ask them which they pefer.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

WF2B wrote:

I submit work to a charity art show. I usually provide framed matte finished prints, but I wonder if I should be providing Glossy instead. (All my prints are done professionally by McGreevy Pro Lab, a local service in Albany, NY. They do a great job at reasonable prices.) McGreevy is the one who recommended matte finish. I would appreciate advice from those of you who display and sell prints.

the answer is subjective, some prints look better in matte and some look better in glossy. experiment and try both to see which you prefer.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I like the look and feel of a Matte print. All the images I displayed and sold were mat finish silver emulsion prints.

WF2B wrote:

I submit work to a charity art show. I usually provide framed matte finished prints, but I wonder if I should be providing Glossy instead. (All my prints are done professionally by McGreevy Pro Lab, a local service in Albany, NY. They do a great job at reasonable prices.) McGreevy is the one who recommended matte finish. I would appreciate advice from those of you who display and sell prints.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Back in the days when I worked for a photo lab, the seasoned professionals almost always had matte prints made, while the young, inexperienced amateurs more often preferred glossy. When I asked one of the professionals why he chose matte, he said it was because a matte print is better suited for mounted display, as its surface is less prone to reflective glare caused by light sources.

BudsOwl Loc: Upstate NY and New England

Thanks for the input. I think I will probably stick with the matte finish. I have tried pearl and some of the other lusters, but except in special case I think I will go along with you guys suggestions.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

WF2B wrote:

Thanks for the input. I think I will probably stick with the matte finish. I have tried pearl and some of the other lusters, but except in special case I think I will go along with you guys suggestions.

someday you may like to try canvas, they turn out great.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

WF2B wrote:

I submit work to a charity art show. I usually provide framed matte finished prints, but I wonder if I should be providing Glossy instead. (All my prints are done professionally by McGreevy Pro Lab, a local service in Albany, NY. They do a great job at reasonable prices.) McGreevy is the one who recommended matte finish. I would appreciate advice from those of you who display and sell prints.

It depends on the image.

BudsOwl Loc: Upstate NY and New England

orrie smith wrote:

someday you may like to try canvas, they turn out great.

I did try canvas. Used it in a class I taught and then gave it to my granddaughter who loves flowers.

Edit. Will probably do another one since I think I have the right picture for canvas.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

WF2B wrote:

I did try canvas. Used it in a class I taught and then gave it to my granddaughter who loves flowers.

Edit. Will probably do another one since I think I have the right picture for canvas.

:thumbup:

jmizera Loc: Austin Texas

WF2B wrote:

I submit work to a charity art show. I usually provide framed matte finished prints, but I wonder if I should be providing Glossy instead. (All my prints are done professionally by McGreevy Pro Lab, a local service in Albany, NY. They do a great job at reasonable prices.) McGreevy is the one who recommended matte finish. I would appreciate advice from those of you who display and sell prints.

If you're mounting in a frame with glass (preferably with glare reduction), I would most definitely prefer matte. Without glass, some prints I think look better in glossy, while others benefit from matte.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I have sold a few prints and my favorite printing media has been glossy. Glossy tends to be sharper than matte surfaces.
One caveat here, printing with matte paper requires a bit more sharpness to the file than when using glossy paper.

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

WF2B wrote:

I submit work to a charity art show. I usually provide framed matte finished prints, but I wonder if I should be providing Glossy instead. (All my prints are done professionally by McGreevy Pro Lab, a local service in Albany, NY. They do a great job at reasonable prices.) McGreevy is the one who recommended matte finish. I would appreciate advice from those of you who display and sell prints.

the rule is, there is no rule! It depends on the picture.

Dds82

pithydoug wrote:

the rule is, there is no rule! It depends on the picture.

I once asked a local professional photographer who submits prints in competitions , matte or glossy?. He answered " many exhibitions won't accept glossy". It seemed like judging was easier if everyone had matte.