Glossy vs Matte: Choosing the Right Photo Paper for Professional Prints

Photo paper · comparison & buying guide

Glossy and colourful or matte and refined? Discover the key differences between Canon Pro Platinum Photo Paper and Premium Fine Art Smooth Paper.

The right photo paper does more than determine how sharp and colourful an image looks. Your choice of paper also has a significant impact on the print’s sheen, texture, depth and overall appearance.

Canon PT-101 Pro Platinum and Canon FA-SM1 Premium Fine Art Smooth are both suitable for high-quality A2 prints, but each has a distinctive character. In this article, we compare their key features and explore which types of image suit each paper best.

PT-101 has a smooth, glossy surface that emphasises colour and brightness. FA-SM1, by contrast, has a soft, matte surface that lends prints a sense of calm, subtlety and a more artistic feel.

Canon PT-101 Pro Platinum Photo Paper

Canon PT-101 Pro Platinum is designed for photographs where brightness, rich colours and fine detail take centre stage. Its exceptionally smooth, glossy surface enhances contrast and makes vibrant colours stand out.

Canon PT-101 Pro Platinum Photo Paper 300 g/m² A2

A sturdy, high-quality choice for colourful photographs and presentations that call for a bright, polished finish.

This paper is particularly well suited to images that deserve to stand out. Think colourful portraits, travel photography, nature shots and commercial photography where contrast and brightness matter. The glossy finish gives photographs a striking, luxurious look.

Canon FA-SM1 Premium Fine Art Smooth Paper

Canon FA-SM1 Premium Fine Art Smooth takes a different approach. Its soft, matte surface produces a subtler finish and works well for images where atmosphere, nuance and gentle tonal transitions matter more than a high-gloss sheen.

Canon FA-SM1 Premium Fine Art Smooth Paper 310 g/m² A2

A slightly heavier paper with a refined matte finish, designed for art prints and photographs with soft tones.

FA-SM1 is particularly well suited to artwork, black-and-white photography, portraits with soft skin tones and images with a restrained colour palette. The matte surface keeps the focus on the image and its texture.

Canon PT-101 and FA-SM1 Compared

Both papers come in the same A2 format and are designed for high-quality prints. The main differences lie in their surface finish, weight and visual effect.

Which Photo Paper Should You Choose?

Your choice largely depends on the type of image and the look you want to achieve. No single paper is best for every purpose: the best results come from matching the paper’s characteristics to the photograph or artwork.

Choose PT-101 when

You Want Colours and Details to Shine

Pro Platinum is the best choice for bright, vibrant colour prints with fine detail and a distinctly glossy finish.

Choose FA-SM1 when

Subtlety and Nuance Matter More

Fine Art Smooth is better suited to art prints, soft tones and images that benefit from a matte, understated finish.

Conclusion

Two High-Quality Papers with Distinctive Finishes

Canon PT-101 Pro Platinum is particularly well suited to vibrant colours, crisp details and a glossy presentation. Canon FA-SM1 Premium Fine Art Smooth is the better choice for art prints, soft tones and a matte finish.

Rather than looking only at the paper weight or number of sheets, consider the mood of the image above all. The paper’s surface should complement the character of the photograph.