Two FineArt matte papers compared
When it comes to high-quality fine art prints, paper choice is critical. Two of the most popular options in the world of giclee printing are
1. Key features compared
| Feature | Photo Rag 308 | Photo Rag Matt Baryta 308 |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | 100% Cotton | 100% Cotton |
| Weight | 308 gsm | 308 gsm |
| Thickness | 0.48 mm | 0.51 mm |
| Paper color | Natural white (92.5% whiteness) | Warm white (88.6% whiteness) |
| Optical brighteners (OBA) | Very low | None (OBA-free) |
| Surface finish | Matte, velvety | Matte, smoother with slight sheen in printed areas |
| Barite layer | No | Yes |
| Black yield | Deep, but softer | More intense and detailed |
| Tonal range in grays | Good, with smooth transitions | Wider, with greater separation between tones |
| Suggested Use | Photographic prints with velvety rendering, digital illustrations | Black and white, images with strong contrasts and details |
*Technical data sheets: Photo Rag 308 and Photo Rag Matt Baryta 308
2. Differences in detail
📌 2.1. Surface finish
- Photo Rag 308 has a velvety and slightly porous texture, ideal for a soft and natural effect.
- Photo Rag Matt Baryta 308 is smoother and more uniform, with a slight sheen in the printed areas, which accentuates the depth of the image.
🎨 2.2. Tonal range and depth of grays
- The Matt Baryta offers better rendering of gray tones: thanks to the baryte layer, the separation between shades is clearer, avoiding muddiness in the most delicate transitions.
- This makes it perfect for black-and-white prints, where details in shadows and highlights are critical.
🖼️ 2.3. Black intensity and detail
- Matt Baryta 308‘s blacks are deeper and more incisive, maintaining better legibility in dark areas.
- The Photo Rag 308, on the other hand, has a softer, more diffuse look, with blacks that are still intense but less structured.
🌡️ 2.4. Appearance of the blank
- Photo Rag 308 has a higher whiteness (92.5 percent) and a more neutral-cool look.
- Photo Rag Matt Baryta 308 has a lower whiteness (88.6%) and appears slightly warmer and more natural, without optical brighteners.
3. Which one to choose?
Choose Photo Rag 308 if:
✅ You want a velvety, glare-free surface.
✅ You print images with a soft, painterly rendering.
✅ You prefer a more neutral, slightly brighter white.
✅ You are looking for a versatile paper for digital illustrations or color prints with a subtle effect.
Choose Photo Rag Matt Baryta 308 se:
✅ You want more depth in the blacks and more detail in the grays.
✅ You print black-and-white photographs or images with strong contrasts.
✅ You are looking for a paper with a similar yield to old baryte photographic papers, but in a matte version.
✅ You prefer a warmer, more natural white without optical brighteners.
4. Printing tips
- Try both cards with the same image, especially if you print in black and white, to see which one fits your style best.
- For extremely fine details and images with delicate gradients, the Matt Baryta 308 offers superior output.
- If you want to get as much contrast as possible, try optimizing the file to take advantage of the greater dynamic range of the Matt Baryta.
- Both papers have a delicate surface, so it is recommended to handle them carefully to avoid scratches and fingerprints.
💬 Conclusion
Photo Rag 308 remains one of the most popular papers for fine art printing, but Photo Rag Matt Baryta 308 offers a new level of tonal depth and detail that can make all the difference, especially for black and white and images with complex gradients.
💡 Want to try both? Go to the order form and find out which paper best suits your project!
