Matte vs Gloss Finish: Which One for Your Print Job?

Gloss is a shiny finish that reflects light, deepens colour and makes photos pop. Matte is a flat, low-sheen finish that cuts glare, reads easily from any angle and hides fingerprints. Silk and satin sit in between: a soft sheen with most of the colour of gloss and far less shine.

The finish can come from the coated paper itself, from a lamination film or from a clear varnish. The look is similar either way; protection and writability are what differ.

Glare, colour and photos

As a general rule in printing, gloss gives deeper blacks, more saturated colour and sharper photo detail, but under shop lights or near a window its reflection can wash out part of the page. Matte scatters light, so it reads evenly, with slightly softer contrast. Photo-led pieces lean gloss, text-heavy pieces lean matte. Silk, the usual word for coated paper, and satin, more common for photo paper, varnish and laminate, are the compromise when a piece carries both.

Writing, fingerprints and handling

Uncoated matte paper takes any pen. On coated gloss, ballpoint skips and ink can smear; on matte or silk coatings it depends on the pen. Lamination is a plastic film, so ink sits on top whatever its finish. Gloss shows fingerprints; matte hides them and feels more understated. For a gloss accent on a matte card, see spot UV.

Matte, gloss and satin in our catalogue

Brochures print on 100 lb gloss or silk text, booklets on 100 lb gloss text or 100 lb uncoated matte, flyers on bright white 100 lb gloss text. Business cards come on 12pt gloss coated, silk coated or uncoated matte card stock, among others, or laminated in matte or gloss. Postcards print on 12pt coated or 12pt and 16pt uncoated card, and the 4 x 6 can add 1.3 mil gloss or matte lamination. Bookmarks take optional 1.7 mil gloss or matte lamination. Posters from 18 x 24 up print on photo gloss, photo matte or photo satin paper. Door hangers get an overall protective varnish in gloss, matte or satin, satin being the standard option.

Which one for your job?

Choose gloss for photo-led pieces: posters, product postcards, image-heavy brochures. Choose matte for text-heavy pieces, anything read under bright light, or a quieter, premium feel, and uncoated if someone will write on it. Choose silk or satin when the piece mixes photos and text. Not sure? Tell us where the piece will be read and handled.

Common questions

Is matte or gloss better for business cards?

It depends on the design. Gloss coated card makes photos and bold colour pop; matte, uncoated or matte-laminated, reads as quieter and shows fewer fingerprints. Silk sits in between. To write on the cards, choose uncoated.

Is glossy or matte paper better for photo prints?

Glossy photo paper gives the most saturated colour and sharpest detail for pieces seen up close. Matte photo paper avoids reflections under bright lights or behind glass. Satin is the common middle ground. Our large posters are offered on all three.

Can you write on glossy paper?

Not reliably. Ballpoint tends to skip and some inks smear on coated gloss. For a form, an appointment card or a note on a postcard, choose uncoated stock and skip lamination.

Products where this term matters

See also in the dictionary: Paper weight and finishes, Lamination, Cardstock (pt, lb and gsm) · full dictionary