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Matte vs glossy vs textured finish
Gloss gives the most colour punch but shows glare and fingerprints; matte removes reflections with slightly muted colour; lustre or satin sits between; textured canvas-look stock makes a photo read as a painting. Five lab and printer guides agree on these trade-offs, though finish names vary by brand.
Text version of this infographic
The same data as the figure, as text, for screen readers, search and AI tools.
| Finish | Glare | Fingerprints | Colour | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glossy | Glare in bright rooms | Shows fingerprints, scratches and smudges easily | More saturation, contrast and detail | PermaJet, Photobox, Printful, PhotoWorkout |
| Matte | No reflections; viewable from any angle | Described as hiding fingerprints (lab claims) | Slightly muted, slight drop in contrast | PermaJet, Photobox, Printful, 4over4 |
| Satin or lustre | Greatly reduced; fine texture scatters light | Texture hides marks | Gloss-like vibrancy, reduced reflectivity | PermaJet, 4over4, PhotoWorkout |
| Textured, woven canvas stock | Texture diffuses light | Lamination resists scuffs, moisture and fingerprints | Reads as a painting | 4over4 |
| Point | What the source says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Lustre texture | Tiny uniform bumps under magnification | PhotoWorkout |
| Very large prints | Lustre suggested for landscape prints at 24 in and above, where reflections matter more | PhotoWorkout |
| Lamination | 3 mil gloss or matte laminate resists scuffs, moisture and fingerprints | 4over4 |
How to use this infographic
- Think about the light in the room: bright light favours matte or satin to cut glare.
- Decide whether colour punch (gloss) or reflection control (matte) matters more.
- For prints of 24 in and above, PhotoWorkout suggests lustre, where reflections matter more.
Questions
Which finish shows fingerprints most?
Glossy finishes show fingerprints, scratches and smudges most easily, according to PermaJet, Photobox, Printful and PhotoWorkout.
Which finish removes reflections?
Matte has no reflections and can be viewed from any angle, though colours are slightly muted.
What is lustre or satin?
It sits between gloss and matte: gloss-like vibrancy with reduced reflectivity, because a fine surface texture scatters light.
Sources
- PermaJet blog: gloss versus matt versus satin (paper maker) (fetched 2026-11-12)
- Photobox: matte versus glossy photos (photo lab) (fetched 2026-11-12)
- Printful: glossy versus matte photo prints (print provider) (fetched 2026-11-12)
- 4over4: photographic paper types and best uses (printer) (fetched 2026-11-12)
- PhotoWorkout: lustre versus glossy (photography publisher) (fetched 2026-11-12)
Figures as of 2026-11-12. Figures are paraphrased or computed from the sources above; the figure carries its own source line. Confirm live prices and terms with ArtzFolio Custom before you order.