Glossy or Matte?

[missmarcy]

I'm almost ready to place my first order with Persnickety Prints - YAY! Not sure which to order, Matte or Glossy? What do YOU prefer? (Do they send samples? I emailed about it but haven't heard back yet) Also - how long does it usually take to get your order once placed? Not that I need them ASAP but ya know, ya order something and wait anxiously in anticipation to get it lol, so just curious!

[KateD]

Ha! That's like asking Canon or Nikon, or iPhone or Android

Personally, I like glossy prints. Although, I'll admit that I've never had a layout printed on matte paper at Persnickety. This is what they say on their blog:

Glossy vs Matte/Lustre Prints
The difference in print finish is difficult to show online. Paper is something that needs to be touched. This isn't normal paper. It is photographic paper. Light is a huge factor, and we still use a darkroom to change our paper rolls. You will never get this kind of a print quality anywhere else.
The paper finish is a personal preference.
Matte is a more popular choice for digital scrapbook layouts. Glossy has more of a vibrant "pop", but there is some glare. Glossy also retains fingerprints. We use white gloves when handling our glossy prints. I would recommend going with matte prints for anything that is going to be handled. (photo cards)
Both paper types are waterproof, and so archival that you won't even be alive to see them fade!

ETA: here's the link to the blog post - there is a photograph of the two print types side-by-side

[nun69]

I like matte because I don't like the glare that is sometimes on the glossy paper when I am flipping through my albums

[missmarcy]

Thanks for that information =)
So basically the quality is the same, it's just if you want the shine or not?

I am really bad at making these kinda decisions... I go back and forth, back and forth, and back around a couple more times

[maryinaz]

I always get matte.

[MamaBee]

I always get matte, too..

[Julie Billingsley]

I pick matte too because you'll also have a bit of shine from the page protectors.

[Lyd]

Matte for me as well.

[jaylensmom]

I'm a matte girl too...

[Stacey42]

matte for the same reason plus matte seems to attract less fingerprints

[webseitler]

What a great question! Hmm... I'm thinking of doing a lot more hybrid in my PL album this year and I think your question could have just solved one of my big questions! LOL! Matte is probably what I've been wanting in my head, but had no idea how to put that into words. All I knew is that I didn't want a bunch of hybrid cards being glossy. LOL!

[missmarcy]

Thanks so much ladies!! Nicole that is a good point!I print my PL stuff on high gloss paper, I think once I run out of that I'm gonna buy some matte and see how I like it I usually get the high gloss packs free with my ink, so never thought twice about it!

[coopert]

Matte for me.

[KateD]

LOL, I'm definitely in the minority! Maybe I should try a matte print just to see how I like it. Generally, though, I like that the images tend to be a bit sharper on glossy prints. And I don't worry about fingerprints since they're in page protectors.

[rach3975]

I love matte. I get everything, photos and LOs, in matte finish. And as for timing, my Persnickety orders usually ship within a day (except for big sales) and get here a few days later. I'm always amazed at how fast they get them printed and shipped.

[k23m]

I prefer matte most of the time too. But sometimes I agree with KateD - glossy can look a touch sharper.

[dailydwellin]

I have mine printed in matte.

[Nettio]

I always do matte for layouts too. My thinking is photos can be printed matte in real life, but papers and elements would probably not ever be randomly glossy, haha.

[missmarcy]

That's one way to look at it! I never would have thought of it that way haha

[Nettio]

Haha, yeah I'm weird like that.

[Beebo]

I prefer matte.

[ZaCola3]

I always do matte-but when my mom requests LO's she wants gloss! Weird!

[kristalund]

i like matte

[alinalove]

it was never a question to me. it's matte. glossy is so 70ies/80ies for me :-D and i prefer a grungy style that would be destroyed with glossy finish.

[jessica31876]

I really love the metallic finish for some special prints. It almost gives a sort of 3-dimensional effect. But in general matte. Glossy gets a glare and fingerprints

[abm234]

Matte for sure.