You have picked the photos you want to print. Then you reach the paper options: Art Gloss, Lustre, HD Gloss and Metallic. Which one will suit your pictures?
The main difference is how the surface looks. Art Gloss gives you a glossy finish, Lustre has a softer sheen, HD Gloss is a Premium high-gloss option, and Metallic adds a shimmering effect. Your choice comes down to the look you prefer and where the photos will go.
For an album, you might want one finish across the whole set. For a single photograph on your desk, you have more room to try something different. Here is how to narrow down the options before placing your order.
If you are also deciding between loose prints and other formats, browse the photo printing options in Singapore.
A quick comparison of the four finishes
On Photojaanic’s Photo Prints page, Art Gloss is listed under Standard paper. Lustre, HD Gloss and Metallic are listed under Premium paper. When this guide refers to an everyday glossy print, Art Gloss is the option to look for on the website.
| Finish | What it looks like | When to consider it | One thing to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art Gloss | A glossy surface | Everyday prints and photo albums | Whether you enjoy a shiny finish |
| Lustre | A softer sheen between matte and gloss | Family portraits and wedding collections | Whether you prefer less surface shine |
| HD Gloss | A high-gloss appearance | Favourite travel photos and display prints | The difference from Art Gloss on a sample |
| Metallic | A shimmering effect | A selected image or a photo gift | Whether the effect suits your picture |
Use this table as a starting point. A finish that you love on a landscape may not be your favourite for a close-up portrait. Your own photos are the best way to judge.
Art Gloss: a familiar look for everyday prints
Art Gloss is worth considering when you want a glossy print for an album or a set of loose photographs. It is an easy place to start if you already know you like a shiny surface.
Think about what you are making. A family album might bring together school photos, birthday pictures and snapshots from a weekend at East Coast Park. Using the same finish throughout can give that varied collection a consistent look.
Lighting matters, too. A glossy print can catch the reflection of a window or lamp. That may not bother you when turning album pages, but it is something to check for a photo you plan to leave on display.
Whatever the finish, hold a loose print by the edges rather than pressing your fingers onto the picture.
Lustre: some sheen, without the fully glossy look
Lustre sits between matte and gloss in appearance. It retains a gentle sheen, so the photograph does not have the same strongly shiny surface as a fully glossy print.
If you are choosing paper for family portraits or wedding photographs, put Lustre on your shortlist. It is a reasonable option when you prefer a softer presentation, especially for a collection that people will pass around and look through.
It is still worth looking at an actual print. Check the faces, the lighter areas and the overall appearance rather than choosing only from a finish label.
Lustre is also different from matte. The terms are sometimes used loosely, but they should not be treated as the same option when ordering. And a softer sheen does not make a print fingerprint-proof; careful handling still matters.
HD Gloss: compare it with Art Gloss before a bigger order
Photojaanic lists HD Gloss as a Premium option and Art Gloss as Standard. Both are glossy choices. The names, however, do not explain every difference in the paper or how your particular photograph will look.
For a favourite travel picture or a print you want to display, comparing the two can be more useful than guessing from the word “Premium”. Keep the image and print size identical, and look at them under the same light.
Pay attention to the surface shine and to the parts of the picture that matter to you. Can you comfortably see the details in the darker areas? Do you like how the bright areas look? Which print would you rather put in your album or frame?
The “HD” name should not be taken as a promise that the finish will repair a blurry photo. Good focus and a suitable original file remain important whichever paper you choose.
Metallic: for a different surface effect
Metallic paper gives a photograph a shimmering appearance. If you want to try something beyond the familiar glossy look, this is the option to explore.
Start with one or two images. A colourful city scene or a holiday photograph with bright highlights could be an interesting candidate. If you are considering it for a portrait, check whether you like the effect on the person’s skin tones before ordering the full collection.
Look at the sample straight on and from an angle. Surface effects are difficult to judge completely on a phone screen, even when the product photograph is clear.
The name refers to the paper finish. A Metallic photo print is a different product from a photograph printed on a metal panel.
Choose for the way you will use the photo
For a family album
Start with the surface you already enjoy: Art Gloss for a glossy look or Lustre for a softer sheen. Choose a finish you will be happy looking through across dozens of images, rather than one that appeals only on a single photo.
For a wedding or anniversary collection
Compare at least a portrait and a wider scene. An album often contains both, and it helps to see how your preferred finish works across them. A small trial order can make a large printing decision easier.
For travel photos
You could keep your main album in one finish and try HD Gloss or Metallic for a favourite picture you want to display separately. You do not have to make the same choice for every photo from the trip.
For a photo frame
Think about the whole display: the paper, the frame, its glass and the position of nearby lights. Lustre may suit you if you want less surface sheen, but the glass can still reflect a window or lamp.
For ideas on arranging your pictures, see these photo wall ideas.
A simple way to compare samples
For an important order, choose a few photos that represent the collection. A portrait, a colourful scene and a picture with both light and dark areas give you more to compare than one image alone.
If your budget allows, order those same files in the finishes you are considering. Keep the size, crop and edits the same. Then:
1. Place the prints together under one light source.
2. Look at them straight on, then change the viewing angle.
3. Compare faces, highlights, shadows and the paper’s appearance.
4. Try the samples in the album or frame you intend to use.
5. Choose the finish you enjoy most in that setting.
You are choosing something you will look at and handle. It is fine for personal preference to decide the result.
Check the finish for each product
The four options in this guide are listed for Photojaanic’s classic Photo Prints. Other formats have their own specifications.
For instance, Retro Prints are listed on premium lustre paper and come in sets of 20. If you switch from classic prints to a different format, check its product page rather than assuming it offers the same paper choices.
How to order your preferred finish
Visit the Photo Prints product page, select your size and choose the paper option. Click Start Customizing, upload your photos and check the crop before confirming the order.
Use your original files where possible. A paper finish cannot recover detail lost through blur or heavy compression, and it cannot put back a face or landmark that has been cropped out.
Check the price for your selected size, paper and quantity. For a larger school, company or event order, send your requirements through the bulk order enquiry page.
Common questions about photo finishes
Is glossy better than lustre?
Neither is better for everyone. Choose glossy if you like a shiny surface, or consider Lustre if you prefer a softer sheen. Compare the same image if you are unsure.
Is HD Gloss always sharper than Art Gloss?
The name alone does not establish that. The source image and printing process also affect the result. A sample comparison is more useful than assuming a finish will add detail.
Is Metallic suitable for portraits?
It can be an option if you like the effect. Try a representative portrait first and look closely at skin tones before choosing it for a large set.
Will Lustre prevent fingerprints?
Do not treat it as fingerprint-proof. Hold prints by their edges and protect the picture surface, including when placing them in an album.
Should an album use one finish throughout?
One finish can give the collection a consistent appearance. You can still choose another finish for a separate display print or gift.
Turn your choice into a print
Start with where the photo will go, choose the surface you prefer and check your file before uploading. If two finishes appeal to you, a small comparison order can help you decide with confidence.
Choose your size and paper finish, or explore the full range of online photo printing in Singapore.
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