Let’s Talk About Paper — And Why It Matters.
As a fine art photographer, my work often shares walls with stunning original watercolors and paintings. Yet, behind many of those brushstrokes lies a reference photo—captured by a photographer. Sometimes it’s the painter’s own, but often, it’s someone else's work—uncredited and unseen.
Photography is art. But unlike paint on canvas, it's often expected to prove itself over and over again. And that challenge grows when we talk about prints—especially in an age where the line between "original" and "reproduction" is misunderstood.
Behind every printed photograph is a mountain of investment:
📷 Camera body: $4,000+
📸 Lenses: $6,000+
💾 Cards, storage, maintenance, insurance — it adds up.
And then there’s printing. For many of us, the cost of gallery-quality printing means choosing in-home prosumer printers. It's fast. It's convenient. But it comes with trade-offs:
🔸 Smaller sizes
🔸 Ink limitations
🔸 Paper restrictions
But here’s the truth: Paper matters.
The feel, the texture, the weight — it all plays into the longevity and value of a print.
So if you're a collector or art lover, ask questions:
• Is this a giclée print?
• What paper was used? Moab. Hahnemuhle. Canson.
• How was it printed? Inkjet with Premium Archival Inks. Silver Halide.
• What are the finishes/textures? Lustre/Satin. Matte. Glossy. Metallic. Baryta. Silk. Pearl. Canvas
• Paper Weight?
• Paper Type? Is it 100% Cotton? Archival Quality? Acid Free?
• Does the paper fit the image/intended display? Museum Rag, Bright White, Lasal Exhibition Lustre, Cold Press, Hot Press, Photo Rag. Exhibition Fiber. Fine Art Baryta Satin. Velvet Watercolor. The list goes on and on.
This information should be proudly displayed on the art tag. If it’s not, ask why. You’re not just buying an image — you’re investing in a story, a process, a piece of someone’s soul printed on paper designed to last a lifetime (or longer).
P.S. When you’re buying a note card that’s printed on archival or fine art paper, not from your local commercial printer, with a design created by a working artist, you’re not just buying a piece of folded paper — you’re buying accessible art.
These types of cards often double as mini prints. The tactile quality of the paper, the richness of the inks, and the intention behind the design all elevate them. They’re meant to be kept, displayed, even framed. And in that context, $7–$14 is not only reasonable — it’s often a steal, especially considering what goes into the creation.
Supporting local artists this way is one of the most direct forms of patronage. It’s an affordable entry point into the world of art collecting — and a way to give a meaningful, beautiful gift that lasts far beyond the occasion it was intended to celebrate.