Paper Options

Make informed choices about your prints.

Want great prints? choose the right media

If you've ever ordered prints online, you may have experienced an overly simplified process.  Pick glossy, luster, or canvas, upload your file, and you're done.  When we're working with artists to create prints for the Audacious Gallery we do things differently.

PERFECT PAPERs

Your print journey begins with selecting the perfect paper. We stock a wide range of options and we want you to understand the differences between them and WHY a specific paper is a good choice for your work.

Texture and finish

The first step in considering which paper is best for your project is to consider paper texture and finish. For example, often the best choice to reproduce an image of an artwork on canvas is not to place it on canvas - as you are then doubling the texture (texture in the photo capture of the work and texture in the canvas print). If you're unsure what texture works best for your piece, please reach out and we're happy to consult with you on options. Another factor is finish. Glossy papers distract from fine details, but highlight crisp edges and makes images appear sharper. Luster or satin finishes will highlight subtle details. Matte finishes often feel more like fine art and allow for color transitions and vibrant hues to pop differently.

Durability

In the world of fine art reproduction, not all prints are made at the same standards.  Printers with the same equipment may produce differing quality prints due to their paper options, maintenance, cleanliness, storage controls, and knowledge of print processes. The biggest factor you can control as an artist or consumer in this category is paper choice. Make sure your prints are coming from a printer who in knowledgeable in print media, sources media from reputable companies, and know which papers are archival quality, which papers are giclee quality, and which papers are not.

Paper factors

When we list our papers, we don't hide information. You don't just choose a texture and finish, you get all of the information you need for your clients to trust the quality of your prints. Paper brand, paper weight, durability, certifications, and fiber content are always listed for our papers.

Brand: Our papers are sourced from brands that are trusted in the fine art print world.

Weight (or GSM): Grams per square meter is how printers measure the weight of the paper. Generally speaking, higher weight paper is of higher quality. Heavier papers run through printers more slowly. As a reference copy paper is usually between 80gsm and 120gsm, posters are usually 200gsm, and business cards are between 400-450gsm.

Thickness: Another way to measure paper quality is thickness. Looking at GSM and thickness together can give you an idea of the density of the paper. A textured paper will often be thicker, but not necessarily have a higher GSM.

Quality: We give our papers a quality rating. Most of our paper will fall under three categories: Fine Art, Archival, and Giclée. Fine Art papers are high quality papers suitable for fine art and photography. These are high quality, professional papers, but are not certified archival quality. Archival Papers are certified acid and lignin-free, will resist aging, and with proper care will have decades if not centuries of life. Giclée papers are archival and also have certified natural fiber content. Many of our papers are ISO 9706 certified - the International standard for "permanent" paper.

We do also stock some specialty papers that don't fall under these categories as well (such as adhesive vinyl).

Photography Papers

Flat Papers

Textured Papers

Canvas