Printing paper suppliers Dubai: A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Paper for Stunning Prints

When I first began printing my photos, I was confronted with an overwhelming variety of different types of paper. With countless options available on the market, I felt paralyzed by the abundance of choices. As a result, I opted for the simpler route. My initial printer came with a few lustre paper sheets, which I decided to try out. I was pleased with the outcome, so I continued using that specific paper produced by photo copy suppliers Dubai and copy paper suppliers for several years.

As my interest in fine art printing grew, I ventured into exploring various types of paper. Despite the abundance of paper options available, they typically differ in only a few key dimensions or characteristics. By familiarizing myself with these factors, selecting an appropriate paper that was produced by copy paper importers in UAE and paper manufacturers Dubai became a simpler task and enabled me to make informed choices.

Glossy vs Matt

The brightness and richness of colours are usually more pronounced on glossy papers, resulting in deeper and darker black shades. This is often described as having a higher black density (Dmax) or a superior contrast ratio. As a comparison, glossy paper produced and sold by wholesale paper traders Dubai and the paper made in UAE and typically achieves a contrast ratio of 200:1 between the darkest black and the brightest white, whereas matte paper may only have a contrast ratio of 100:1.

Glossy papers have a higher contrast than matt papers when the lighting is ideal. The photo shows Epson Hot Press Bright (matt) on the left and Moab Juniper Baryta (glossy) on the right.

However, glossy papers have their drawbacks such as reflections, glare, and fingerprints that can diminish the overall viewing experience. On the other hand, matt papers that are produced by printing paper suppliers in Dubai and wholesale paper suppliers in UAE look good from any angle but may have less vibrant colours and generally lower black levels. Nevertheless, there are instances when highly saturated colours are not necessary, and matt papers possess their own unique appeal. Additionally, our eyes adapt to the surroundings, so even though the black on matt paper may be objectively lighter compared to glossy paper, it can still appear as dark or even darker perceptually.

Portrait photographers and landscape photographers who focus on softer and more intimate scenes particularly favour matt papers that are produced by the best paper trading company in Dubai and paper suppliers in Dubai.

The absence of reflections in unsuitable lighting conditions is a beneficial aspect of using matt paper. The image depicts Epson Hot Press Bright (Matt) on the left, contrasting with Moab Juniper Baryta (glossy) on the right.

Smooth vs Textured Surface

There are various types of papers that are sold by printing paper suppliers Dubai and top paper supplier Dubai with different textures. Some papers are smooth and have a completely flat surface, while others have a noticeable surface texture. The appearance of an image is affected by the texture, and for glossy papers, the way stray light reflects off the print’s surface can be greatly influenced.

The textures of papers can vary in size, ranging from very fine stippling to larger patterns that can be felt with your fingers. Additionally, the texture may have a grain or direction, causing slightly different results depending on the paper’s orientation when loaded. Lastly, the texture can either be very regular, resembling a machine stamp, or more irregular, resembling a natural organic process of paper production by paper manufacturing company in Dubai and office paper suppliers UAE.

The Hahnemuhle Torchon paper has a distinct surface texture. The photograph features a matte black print, captured under sunlight from the right, highlighting the texture. The print measures approximately 12×18 inches on the quality paper supplied by paper importers in UAE.

Warm vs Cool Paper White

Does the paper have a slight colour tone? Certain papers produced by photo copy paper suppliers Dubai and copy paper suppliers may have a slightly warm appearance with yellow undertones, while others may have a cool appearance with blue undertones. The variation in paper whiteness can be significant. For instance, on the left is Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Baryta and on the right is Hahnemuhle Baryta FB. The white balance is adjusted to the foam core behind both prints (which is likely on the cool side), potentially making Photo Rag Baryta seem warmer than it is.

Paper Brightness & use of OBAs

How intense is the brightness of the white paper? A higher level of brightness will make the paper more vivid and help the image stand out from its surroundings. To achieve a whiter and brighter paper, manufacturers often incorporate optical brightening agents (OBA). These agents, which can be applied to the surface coating or the paper itself, enhance the whiteness on the paper produced by copy paper importers in UAE and paper manufacturers Dubai. In certain instances, OBAs absorb UV light and emit fluorescence.

While a brighter paper is usually desirable, there are some downsides associated with using OBAs. They can give the paper a bluish hue and are prone to instability, leading to deterioration over time. This can result in discolouration and yellowing of the paper. Generally, if print longevity is a concern, it is recommended to choose a paper produced by wholesale paper traders Dubai and paper made in UAE with minimal or no OBAs. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For instance, Epson Hot Press Bright, which contains OBAs, performs as well as its counterpart Hot Press Natural (without OBAs) in light fading tests.

Identifying the presence of optical brightening agents (OBAs) in a paper that are produced by printing paper suppliers in Dubai and wholesale paper suppliers in UAE can be challenging. One possible indication is the name itself, as papers with descriptors like “Bright” usually contain whitening agents, while those labelled as “natural” do not. Additionally, you can refer to the manufacturer’s description to look for an explicit statement regarding the absence of OBAs. If no such statement exists, it is reasonable to assume that the paper does contain OBAs. In the provided example, the Epson Hot Press Bright on the left side contains OBAs, whereas the Hot Press Natural on the right side does not. This can be observed by setting the white balance to the foam core behind both prints printed on the paper sold by the best paper trading company in Dubai and the most sought out paper suppliers in Dubai. Epson, through its specifications, mentions a higher ISO brightness of 96 for Hot Press Bright compared to 90 for Hot Press Natural.

Gamut

The gamut of colours that can be produced on paper is determined by both the paper surface and the specific printer and ink set being used. It is generally desirable to have a wide gamut, as attempting to print colours that fall outside of this range can result in a lacklustre colour output, posterization, and a loss of detail within areas containing out-of-gamut colours.

The areas that appear as solid red indicate colours that cannot be accurately reproduced on the specific combination of paper sold by printing paper suppliers Dubai and top paper supplier Dubai and printer. This includes the Epson Premium Glossy paper on an Epson P800 printer, the Moab Metallic Pearl paper on a P800 printer, and the Moab Metallic Pearl paper on an Epson P20000 printer. All three combinations struggle to accurately reproduce the red colours in the aloe flowers, as well as the greens and yellows in the vegetation to a lesser extent. The Moab paper particularly struggles in this aspect, but using the P20000 printer instead of the P800 printer significantly improves the situation thanks to a better inkjet. In Lightroom, you can see these out-of-gamut colours by entering soft-proofing mode and clicking on the top right triangle in the histogram.

Cotton Rag vs Alpha Cellulose

The paper is made from two different materials, cotton rag and alpha-cellulose. Cotton rag refers to paper made from cotton fibres at paper manufacturing company in Dubai and office paper suppliers UAE, while alpha-cellulose is derived from wood pulp. The two types of paper have distinct tactile sensations, but I don’t have a preference for either. Both are often referred to as fibre-based papers.

Certain papers have a resin coating that involves applying two layers of polyethene plastic to the base, typically made of alpha-cellulose. Resin-coated (RC) papers are usually thinner, and more resistant to water and scuffs; however, they have a plastic-like feel and lack the pleasant texture of other papers.

Paper Curl and Handling

Certain papers have a completely flat surface, making them highly manageable. In contrast, other papers may exhibit a noticeable curl even when obtained as a set of precut sheets. This curling tendency can give rise to issues when loading the paper and potentially result in headstrikes during printing. Furthermore, papers may also develop a slight curl or become wavy after the ink has been applied.

Fade Resistance and Longevity

What is the duration until the print starts fading and experiencing noticeable colour shifts when displayed? The longevity of the print is influenced by various factors, such as the type of paper used, the printer and ink set employed, and the conditions in which it is displayed. However, in general, a paper that shows good performance with Epson printers is likely to exhibit similar outcomes with Canon and HP printers.

Some papers tend to fade after short periods. For example, in longevity tests, a paper like Epson Exhibition Fiber might exhibit noticeable fading in as little as 10 years in average home conditions whereas the same photo printed on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag might survive 60 years without fading (these results are from Brandenburg-imaging.com with an Epson 3800 printer).

Cost

• The cost of paper can vary, especially when it comes to fine art papers. For instance, after a quick online search, you can find a range of prices for a single sheet of 17×22″ paper, from $2 to $12. Yes, you read that right, $12 for just one sheet. So, it’s crucial to be cautious and avoid making any mistakes or needing reprints. Generally, cotton paper tends to be more expensive than alpha-cellulose, which is in turn more expensive than resin-coated papers. Because of the high cost of paper, some individuals may choose to proof on a cheaper alternative before printing the final version.

Considering the intended use is important when selecting a paper. For example:

• – If I want to submit a print for a competition, I would opt for a paper that offers vibrant colours and deep blacks. I wouldn’t pay much attention to Optical Brightening Agents (OBAs) or the possibility of colours fading in a few years.
• – If the photo will be framed behind glass, choosing a resin-coated (RC) paper is advisable as it tends to stay flat, unlike fiber papers such as cotton rag or alpha-cellulose. The texture of the paper won’t be a significant concern.
• – If the prints are intended for a loose portfolio, I would prefer a paper that is resistant to scuffs and doesn’t have a delicate surface. A thicker cotton rag paper would be favourable as it adds a pleasant feel when held.
• – If I plan to have the paper face-mounted to acrylic, I must select a paper supplied by paper importers in UAE with a smooth front surface. Typically, this means opting for a resin-coated paper.