Printing / framing: matt or gloss?

[marctwo]

I'd like to make some prints of some of my photos, but I'm wondering what finish to order. I realise it's somewhat of a subjective question but I wondered if there was a consensus on which finish is better for which purpose e.g. would a gloss finsh be better for a framed print and a matt finsh be better for a poster?

[tog]

If you're going to frame a gloss print, you have to use a mount to keep the glass off the print – if the two are touching you get a pattern where the smooth surfaces stick to each other.

[K12beano]

EFA

tog said:

– if the two are touching you get a groovy pattern where the smooth surfaces stick to each other.

I always have loved glossy prints. Especially if you have a sharp image (but might be more critical to get your sharpening skills right!) I think a poster can look "better" on a glossy finish.

If behind glass, though, just avoid anything reflective and hold out for a non-reflective glass finish too.

[marctwo]

So it doesn't really make a difference then (as long as the glass does not touch the print)?

Does anyone have any tips for preparing the jpegs for printing? E.g. sharpening more/less then usual?

[K12beano]

Choice of sharpening is a relatively difficult one. What final size (and at what distance will it be viewed) and the subject matter.

You'll usually want some - but not "too much" whatever that is. And some types of image you'll get away with none at all!

As to "how to" rather than "how much", for the very best results use Photoshop. For colour shots I'd favour a LAB sharpening, you can be quite aggressive but the colour edges don't suffer - otherwise a high pass filter, especially if you need to more selectively sharpen. This all assumes you are starting RAW and haven't been aggressive in camera in shooting a TIFF or JPEG.

[GetCarter]

NOOOOOOOOO... really needs to be matt. Gloss has an extra coat on the top and it's a real bugger to keep flat behind glass. The guy who does my framing said that his heart always sinks if someone presents him with a gloss image.

[RobDickinson]

GetCarter said:

NOOOOOOOOO... really needs to be matt. Gloss has an extra coat on the top and it's a real bugger to keep flat behind glass. The guy who does my framing said that his heart always sinks if someone presents him with a gloss image.

Steve C, correct since ages ago.

Print on decent paper (Hahnemühle rag or something) , sharpening isnt something you can be told about, just view at 100% and make sure it doesnt start causing halo's etc.

[markmullen]

I use Hahnemuhle Baryta FB 350 which is a glossy but not as shiny as some.

It frames up well, with a mount.

Is now a good time to let slip that I've had work accepted for the Joe Cornish Gallery Summer Exhibition which opens Saturday?

[tim-b]

markmullen said:

Is now a good time to let slip that I've had work accepted for the Joe Cornish Gallery Summer Exhibition which opens Saturday?

?

[AndWhyNot]

Notwithstanding the advice to always print matt, any large areas of shadow or very dark tones will practically turn into a mirror when printed on gloss, making viewing and lighting potentially quite awkward.

markmullen said:

I use Hahnemuhle Baryta FB 350 which is a glossy but not as shiny as some.

It frames up well, with a mount.

Is now a good time to let slip that I've had work accepted for the Joe Cornish Gallery Summer Exhibition which opens Saturday?

Congrats, i've got a lot of respect for Joe- that's some achievement.

[marctwo]

Thanks for all the replies, sorry to be so vague. The shots are from RAW 16MP, mostly B&W. I'm going to be getting them printed at Photobox. There's an offer on today only for A3 poster print for £1 (code SOLSTICE) so I thought I'd start with that and see how it looks. I've never printed anything bigger then 8 x 10 so I'd appreciate any tips from those that have.