Metal prints give you a fantastic way to showcase your photographic art in a specialty format. Metal prints look great because virtually the entire area of the enlargement is the image. For the right image, this style of display is awesome.
Now that you’re getting a metal print enlargement of your photo, a natural question comes up: Should I get a matte metal print or glossy? Furthermore, what are the main differences between a matte metal print and a glossy metal print?
In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the topic so you can determine the best move to make for printing your images. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- What is a Matte Metal Print?
- Is There a Quality Difference?
- What Type of Images Look Best as a Matte Metal Print?
- Display Options for Matte Metal Prints
What is a Matte Metal Print?
To know the difference between a matte metal print and a glossy one, let’s describe what a matte print is in general. It may help to think about the sheen of the paint on your room walls or woodwork.
Some paint is shiny, others are not quite as shiny, and some have no shine or sheen at all. If you were to touch the different painted surfaces or get right up close to look at them, a glossy or semi-gloss paint leaves a very smooth finish. A flat finish has no discernable shine at all, and a matte finish has a slight hint of shine and a tiny little bit of texture.
It’s similar with photographic prints. Paper prints have been made with various finishes, with glossy, semi-gloss, and matte as the three most common, though some paper makers might have several levels of sheen or shininess available. If you were to carefully examine a matte print up close, you might see a slightly textured appearance.
A matte metal print will be different from a glossy or semi-gloss metal print in pretty much the same way. Glossy metal prints will be fairly highly reflective, while a matte print on metal won’t be as shiny and will have an almost imperceptible texture to them.
Is There a Quality Difference?
From the same printer, provided they’re using high-quality photographic metal print processes, there will be no quality difference. As an example, visit Shiny Prints to see the options they offer. You have your choice of five matte or glossy varieties:
- White Gloss
- Most popular surface option.
- Features a smooth glossy finish with a pure white background.
- Creates a luxurious feel, resembling a print behind glass but with reduced glare compared to acrylic.
- Ideal for making images vibrant and accurate; great for first-time aluminum print buyers.
- Best suited for modern and contemporary art and photography.
- White Matte
- Offers quality and luxury without the shine.
- Ideal for family portraits and artwork.
- Reduces glare, making it perfect for display near windows or bright light sources.
- Silver Gloss
- Provides a real metallic feel with a clear gloss finish.
- No white background—whites in images appear silver as the aluminum shines through.
- Great for photos and artwork but prints slightly darker; increasing saturation and brightness is recommended.
- Silver Matte
- Same metallic effect as Silver Gloss but with a matte finish.
- Prints directly onto brushed aluminum for an industrial, vintage feel.
- Works well with vintage or commercial photography.
- White Gloss EXT
- Similar to standard White Gloss but designed for outdoor use.
- EXT Panels last at least 3 years outdoors, resistant to graffiti and chemicals.
- Marks can be cleaned with a microfiber cloth and denatured alcohol.
- Perfect for outdoor signage, art displays, and prints exposed to direct sunlight.
Needless to say, you have your pick of excellent surface options for your metal print!
What Type of Images Look Best as a Matte Metal Print?
It’s an aesthetic choice, white or silver, but for my personal tastes, an astronomy image or a seascape might look better on a silver print, while portraits or scenic views may look best on white.
A portrait, architectural subject, or a landscape will probably look best with the white finish leaving the choice of glossy or matte metal prints to decide on.
Another way to decide is that bright, deep, contrasty, or vibrant colors might benefit more from glossy, while black and white images, mountain or desert scenery, and a still life would likely look great as a matte metal print.
Display Options for Matte Metal Prints
How the enlargements are displayed will also play a role in our considerations on whether to print shiny or matte metal prints. Since glossy reflects a lot and matte doesn’t, the lighting and display areas and other decor in a room may help us decide.
A matte metal print is going to be easier to view for certain styles of photography and subjects, while the artsy impact of a glossy metal print has a different type of appeal. Take these factors into account when deciding which finish to go for.
The way you have your images printed – matte metal prints or glossy – you will enjoy how amazing metal enlargements make your fine art photography look when displayed. And when you partner with the team at Shiny Prints to get the job done, you can rest-assured that the metal print you get in the mail will knock your socks off. As I discuss in the video above, the quality of these metal prints is simply staggering.
While the visual appeal of your photo relies mostly on your skill behind the lens, the way it’s printed and who does that printing is also a significant factor. When it comes to printing photos, don’t skimp on the product; otherwise, all your hard work to create the image will be for naught!
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Gloosy is fine for remis