The 30 best photo paper brands in 2026

HP, Canon and Kodak lead our ranking of 30 photo paper brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.

Photo Paper brands, ranked

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  1. 1

    HP

    HP sells inkjet photo papers, including glossy and satin finishes sized for its printers.

    Popularity 10.0/10

  2. 2

    Canon

    Canon sells photo papers for its inkjet printers, in glossy, matte and semi-gloss finishes.

    Popularity 8.8/10

  3. 3

    Kodak

    Kodak sells photo papers, including its Ultima and professional lines for inkjet and darkroom printing.

    Popularity 6.9/10

  4. 4

    Epson

    Epson sells inkjet photo papers in several finishes, designed for its photo printers.

    Popularity 6.9/10

  5. 5

    Fujifilm

    Fujifilm makes photo papers, including Fuji Crystal Archive for professional lab printing and inkjet media.

    Popularity 2.6/10

  6. 6

    SUMVISION

    Sumvision has been manufacturing PC components and entertainment devices for over ten years. They provide product storage, power products, peripheral products, Pysc audio products, and entertainment products. These products are primarily directed toward gamers. It's easy to use, budget-friendly and gives an immersive experience like never before.

    Popularity 2.4/10

  7. 7

    PermaJet

    PermaJet makes inkjet photo papers and specialty print media for home and office printers.

    Popularity 2.3/10

  8. 8

    Special Moments

    The event planning company Special Moments is here to make your special moments more exciting and memorable. Today, people love celebrating a special occasions. This company ensures that you become the best host for all your parties, no matter how small or big the event is. This brand gives you the most amazing moments to remember, whether wedding planning or travel planning. Viewers of such services can visit this brand's website to learn more about their services.

    Popularity 2.1/10

  9. 9

    Ultrafine

    Ultrafine sells inkjet photo papers and specialty print media for photo printing.

    Popularity 2.0/10

  10. 10

    ILFORD

    ILFORD makes black and white and colour photo papers, including fibre-based and resin-coated darkroom papers.

    Popularity 2.0/10

  11. 11

    ZINK

    ZINK makes zero-ink photo paper used in compact mobile and instant photo printers.

    Popularity 1.8/10

  12. 12

    Kirkland Signature

    Kirkland Signature is a Costco private label that has sold its own inkjet photo paper.

    Popularity 1.7/10

  13. 13

    Avery

    Avery sells inkjet photo papers and labels, including glossy and matte photo sheets.

    Popularity 1.7/10

  14. 14

    Inkrite

    Inkrite offers a variety of inkjets, toners, and paper supplies. To provide you with the finest outcomes, they provide the best quality available. They provide all varieties of inkjets for any printers and offices at affordable prices and the best...

    Popularity 1.5/10

  15. 15

    Royal Brites

    Home of Geographics Designer Stationery, Royal Brites Poster Board, Foam and Project Board, Royal Lace Doilies and more. Buy Made in USA!

    Popularity 1.5/10

  16. 16

    Mitsubishi

    Mitsubishi Electric sells thermal photo paper and print media for its dye-sublimation photo printers.

    Popularity 1.1/10

  17. 17

    Hammermill

    Hammermill is a paper company that prides itself on serving clients and customers with the highest quality paper for all of their needs, be it at home or in the workplace, but also on its environmental policies on sustainability and...

    Popularity 1.1/10

  18. 18

    Konica Minolta

    Konica Minolta can transform your business. They deal with the digital workspace, to be particular. They aim to solve the problems you might face in the future with your online presence and working experience. The world is already connected, and...

    Popularity 0.8/10

  19. 19

    Canson

    Canson makes art papers and inkjet photo papers, including fine art and glossy photo sheets.

    Popularity 0.8/10

  20. 20

    National Geographic

    National Geographic illuminates and conserves our world's wonders through science, adventure, education, and storytelling. Ocean explorers, scientists, educators, storytellers, and others were among them. Explorers work on the cutting edge of innovation to inspire, educate, and find new and innovative...

    Popularity 0.7/10

  21. 21

    Xerox

    Xerox is your one-stop-shop for printing and office supplies. They provide solutions that let you achieve more and save money in an incredibly advanced environment, from ordinary printing to specialty papers. They provide commercial services, software, hardware, and supplies. Their...

    Popularity 0.7/10

  22. 22

    Innovera

    Innovera can be your one-stop shop for all your tech gadget needs. This brand strives to offer its customers the best selection of dependable technology-related products at reasonable prices. Whether you want to clean your desktop and make it look...

    Popularity 0.7/10

  23. 23

    HiTi

    HiTi makes photo printers and dye-sublimation photo paper and ribbons for them.

    Popularity 0.7/10

  24. 24

    Olmec

    Olmec provides businesses with information technology services to help them achieve new levels of success through efficient business operations. They have a team of uber-talented employees dedicated to maintaining excellent customer relationships and meeting their requirements. Olmec specializes in consultation,...

    Popularity 0.6/10

  25. 25

    ColorWay

    ColorWay understands the value of customers' money and provides affordable and long-lasting printing accessories. The company offers products and solutions for high-quality printing. The laser cartridges provided by ColourWay come in various models and guarantee high performance delivering an optimal...

    Popularity 0.6/10

  26. 26

    Agfa

    Agfa makes photo papers for inkjet and photographic printing, including its Agfa Photo lines.

    Popularity 0.5/10

  27. 27

    reflecta

    Reflecta brings the world of technology closer to you by meeting all of your mounting requirements. With their clever wall mounts and TV stands, you can save space and organize your living area. It is the global leader in TV...

    Popularity 0.5/10

  28. 28

    ELECOM

    ELECOM makes inkjet photo papers and print media sold for home and office photo printing in Japan.

    Popularity 0.4/10

  29. 29

    DNP

    DNP makes dye-sublimation photo paper and print media for its photo printers and photo kiosks.

    Popularity 0.4/10

  30. 30

    Fuji Xerox

    People adore watching the three-dimensional view doesn't matter, whether it's in a picture or the reality. But when it comes to pictures and documents, printers and various features make it easy for the person. Therfore, Xerox is a company there...

    Popularity 0.4/10

to make the article visually appealing.

Photo Paper Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Taking pictures is easy these days, but what about printing them? That's where photo paper comes in. Choosing the right photo paper can make all the difference between a good and a great print. But with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. This buying guide provides all the information you need to choose the perfect photo paper for your printing needs.

Types of Photo Paper

When choosing a photo paper, the first thing to consider is the type of paper. There are three main types of photo paper: glossy, matte, and semi-gloss.

Glossy Photo Paper

Glossy photo paper is the most common type of photo paper. It is a shiny, reflective paper that produces vibrant colors and deep blacks. Glossy photo paper is ideal for printing photos with high contrast and vibrant colors. It is perfect for printing photos that will be framed or displayed in photo albums.

Matte Photo Paper

Matte photo paper has a flat finish that produces a non-reflective image. It has a more subtle look than glossy paper and is perfect for printing photos that will be viewed up close. Matte paper is excellent for printing black and white photos or soft-colored images with a vintage look.

Semi-Gloss Photo Paper

Semi-gloss photo paper is a hybrid of glossy and matte paper. It has a slight shine to it, but not as much as glossy paper. Semi-gloss paper produces vibrant colors but has less reflection than glossy paper. It is ideal for printing photos with a mix of bright colors and subtle tones.

Print Quality

The quality of the print is the most important factor to consider when choosing a photo paper. The print quality depends on the paper's weight, brightness, and coating.

Paper Weight

The weight of the paper is measured by grams per square meter (gsm). The heavier the paper, the better the print quality. Heavyweight paper produces a crisp, clear image with deep blacks and vibrant colors. However, heavyweight paper can be expensive and may not be suitable for every printing need.

Brightness

The brightness of the paper is measured by the amount of light reflected from the surface. The brighter the paper, the better the print quality. Bright paper produces colors that are more vivid and more accurate. However, bright paper can also produce a glare or reflection, which can be distracting in some situations.

Coating

The coating on the paper affects the quality of the print. There are two types of coatings: resin coated (RC) and microporous.

Resin coated (RC) paper has a plastic coating that helps the ink to dry quickly and prevents it from bleeding or smudging. RC paper produces a glossy finish that is perfect for high contrast and vibrant images.

Microporous paper has a coating of tiny pores that hold the ink in place. Microporous paper produces a matte finish that is perfect for subtle images or black and white photos.

Compatibility with Your Printer

Not all photo papers are compatible with every printer. It is important to choose a paper that is compatible with your printer to ensure the best print quality. Most photo paper packages will indicate which types of printers are compatible with the paper.

Price

The price of the photo paper is an important factor to consider. High-quality photo paper can be expensive, so it is essential to consider the price when choosing a paper. However, cheap paper can also produce poor quality prints, so it is crucial to find a balance between price and quality.

Conclusion

Choosing the right photo paper can make all the difference in creating beautiful prints. Before making a decision, consider the paper type, print quality, compatibility with your printer, and the price. By taking the time to choose the right photo paper, you can ensure that your prints look beautiful for years to come.

Brands of Photo Paper

There are several brands of photo paper available in the market. Some of the top brands are listed below:

Epson

Epson is a well-known brand in the printing industry. They offer a wide range of photo paper, including glossy, semi-gloss, and matte. Their paper is compatible with a range of printers, and they are known for producing high-quality prints with bright and vivid colors.

Canon

Canon is another well-known brand that offers a range of photo paper options. Their paper produces sharp and clear images, and they offer a variety of coating and surface finishes. Canon's paper is compatible with a range of printers and is known for producing high-quality prints with accurate colors.

HP

HP is a popular brand that offers a variety of photo paper options, including glossy, semi-gloss, and matte. Their paper is compatible with a range of printers, and they are known for producing high-quality prints with bright and accurate colors.

Kodak

Kodak is a well-known brand in the photography industry, and they also offer a range of photo paper options. Their paper produces sharp and clear images, and they offer a variety of finishes and coatings. Kodak's paper is compatible with a range of printers and is known for producing high-quality prints with vivid colors.

Specialty Photo Paper

Specialty photo paper includes a range of options for specific printing needs. Some of the popular options are listed below:

Canvas Paper

Canvas paper is a type of photo paper that has a textured surface, similar to canvas material. This paper is ideal for printing photos that will be displayed as artwork, as it gives the photo a unique and artistic look.

Magnetic Paper

Magnetic paper is a type of photo paper that has a magnetic backing, making it easy to display photos on a fridge or other magnetic surface. This is a fun and convenient option for printing family photos or other frequently viewed photos.

Sticker Paper

Sticker paper is a type of photo paper that has a sticky backing, making it easy to turn photos into stickers. This is a fun and creative option for displaying photos in scrapbooks or other artistic projects.

Inkjet vs. Professional Photo Paper

There are two main types of photo paper categories: inkjet and professional. The primary difference between these two categories is the type of printer used to print on them.

Inkjet Photo Paper

Inkjet photo paper is designed to work with inkjet printers, which are found in most homes and offices. Inkjet printers use liquid ink to print on paper. The ink absorbs into the paper, producing vivid colors and sharp details. Inkjet photo paper is affordable and easy to find, making it a popular choice for home printing.

Professional Photo Paper

Professional photo paper is designed to work with professional-level printers, such as dye-sublimation or pigment-based printers. These printers use a different printing process than inkjet printers, which produces better and more accurate color reproduction. Professional photo paper is more expensive than inkjet photo paper and can be harder to find, but it produces gallery-quality prints suitable for exhibitions or art prints.

Conclusion

Choosing the right photo paper can significantly impact the quality of your prints. Take into account the type of paper, print quality, printer compatibility, and price when selecting photo paper. Speciality photo paper and professional photo paper options are also available for specific printing needs. Consider all of these factors when choosing the right photo paper to help achieve the perfect prints.