You have two options when printing digital photos: glossy or matte. Matte prints are more neutral and shiny while glossy photo prints have a shine finish. Which one should you choose, then? There is no one right answer. Both have their pros and cons. There are two types of photo paper that digital photos can be printed on: glossy and photo printer paper matte. Photo paper can be either glossy or matte depending on the chemicals used. Glossy finishes look shiny and reflect light well. They are vibrant and rich in color. Matte finishes, on the other side, reflect less light and look "darker and duller". There are pros and cons in choosing between glossy or matte digital prints. These are just a few: Glossy photos prints: Glassy photo print are shiny and more appealing to the eyes. They are elegant and give off a feeling of high quality. Glossy photo prints are rich in vibrant colors. Glossy photo prints also have rich colors that look deep and deep. However, glossy photo prints can look "shiny" when photos are viewed with intense light sources like the sun or strong bulbs. The photo can be distorted by light reflected off the print, making it difficult to see. Glossy papers are more likely to collect dust and fingerprints, and thus can be more easily damaged over time. Matte photo prints look less appealing than glossy black and white photos. Matte Finish: Matte photo print do not reflect light so they are easier to see in almost all lighting conditions. Matte prints are also less likely be to collect dust or fingerprints, and will last longer. Matte photo prints in black or white look better than glossy photo prints in black and white. However, matte photo prints don't have the same high-quality look as glossy photos prints. Matte photo prints have less vivid and richer colors than glossy prints. Which one should you choose, matte or glossy? It all depends on what you intend to do with your photo prints. For color prints, you should use matte photo prints while for black and white prints, glossy prints are better. Matte is better if the prints will be touched frequently and used often. A matte option is better if you intend to print large photos, such as to frame or hang on your wall. Like many other options, deciding whether a matter is worth your time or not is up to you. You should have had both to make an informed decision. You can print a few photos in color, black and white on both matte and glossy papers. Take a look at the prints to see what you like or dislike. You will be able to make better decisions if you apply this experience in the future.