At a glance
- Accepted ink comes before your preferred shine.
- Matte diffuses light; Luster adds a gentle satin sheen.
- Semi-Gloss and Gloss require dye inks.
Rule out ink restrictions first
Many printers combine a pigment black and dye colours. Before comparing sheen, identify each cartridge type and the manufacturer’s information on how they are used.
Matte and Luster accept both types according to their specifications. Semi-Gloss and Gloss are dye-only: if black-channel use is undocumented, retain that uncertainty instead of resolving it from a photo-mode name.
Compare surfaces under the same light
Matte diffuses reflections for a restrained appearance. Luster gives a soft satin sheen; Semi-Gloss adds shine and Gloss has the strongest reflections among these four finishes.
These descriptions give a direction, not a gloss measurement. Compare the same artwork at the same angle under the same lamp. A sleeve also changes perceived reflections: include it in the comparison if that is your final use.
Choose for your actual use
For readable text under varied lighting, start by comparing matte and Luster. For stronger shine, consider Semi-Gloss and Gloss only after checking inks.
Finally check the exact product’s mechanical specifications. Two finishes of the same weight can have different thicknesses; visual choice does not replace reading the tray limits.
Double-sided Matte Paper · Black Core · 300 gsm
From €11.90
- Finish
- Matte
- gsm
- 300 gsm
- Thickness
- 350 µm
- Core
- Black Core
- Ink
- Dye + pigment
- Format
- A4
Double-sided Matte Paper · Black Core · 330 gsm
From €11.90
- Finish
- Matte
- gsm
- 330 gsm
- Thickness
- 370-375 µm
- Core
- Black Core
- Ink
- Dye + pigment
- Format
- A4
Illustration: actual appearance depends on your light and print. Highlighted rows differ between the two papers.
Papers in the current catalogue
Nominal supplier values, not an in-house print test. Prices and stock are checked on the product page. Where a value is missing, no compatibility is inferred.
| Paper | gsm · µm | Formats |
|---|---|---|
| Double-sided Matte Paper · Black Core · 330 gsm | 330 gsm 370-375 µm | A4 |
| Double-sided Luster Paper · Black Core · 300 gsm | 300 gsm 350 µm | A4 |
| Double-sided Semi-Gloss Paper · White Core · 300 gsm | 300 gsm 360 µm | A4 |
| Double-sided Gloss Paper · White Core · 300 gsm | 300 gsm Thickness not documented here | A4 |
Questions about this guide
Which finish is shiniest?
Among these four, Gloss gives the strongest reflections, followed by Semi-Gloss, Luster and matte. Appearance depends on lighting and printed artwork.
Can I choose by weight alone?
No. Also compare accepted ink, thickness, faces, size and paper-path limits.
Sources
Manufacturer limits apply to the media and feed paths stated in each document. A documentary match is not a physical test of our cardstock.
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